Maurice Lacroix AIKON

The Aikon collection has never been shy about its ambitions of becoming an industry icon. Maurice Lacroix created this sporty yet elegant collection in the image of two legendary timepieces: the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak and the Patek Philippe Nautilus. Both were designed by Gérald Genta in the 1970s and have come to define modern watch design. In the 1990s, Maurice Lacroix released a legend in their own right in the form of the Calypso, which incorporates design elements from Genta's masterpieces.

In 2016, the Swiss manufacturer took the Calypso collection back to the drawing board and re-released it under the "Aikon" name. The modern collection is home to three-hand timepieces and chronographs. Distinguishing features include six polished bezel rider tabs, as well as integrated bracelets and straps. Maurice Lacroix also outfits certain models with sun brushed dials that boast Clous de Paris engraving.

Swiss movement manufacturer ETA provides Maurice Lacroix with most of the precise quartz and automatic calibers for the Aikon collection. Only select top models come with an in-house caliber. Men's Aikon watches range from 42 to 45 mm in diameter, while women's watches measure either 30 or 35 mm across. Some women's models feature a mother-of-pearl dial and diamonds. Finally, 39-mm unisex timepieces round out the collection.

The Aikon Mercury with the in-house caliber ML225 is among the collection's top models. This timepiece has a unique, patented complication: three freely swinging hands that spin with the wearer's movements. The Aikon Skeleton is yet another highlight. Maurice Lacroix outfits this watch with the heavily skeletonized in-house caliber ML234, which you can see through the protective sapphire crystal. Then there's the Aikon Venturer, a sporty diving watch available with a variety of dial colors. Certain models also feature the company's "EasyChange" system that makes swapping out the bracelet or strap a breeze.

Maurice Lacroix introduced the Aikon Automatic Skeleton in 2018. The heavily skeletonized in-house caliber ML234 powers this stainless steel timepiece. It comes with central hands for the hours and minutes and a small seconds at 6 o'clock. The balance ticks at a frequency of 18,000 alternations per hour (A/h), resulting in a 52-hour power reserve. Both the bridges and rotor feature so-called "colimaçon" finishes. The Skeleton's 45-mm case is water-resistant to 100 m (10 bar, 328 ft) and mounted on a black alligator leather strap with the EasyChange system. You can purchase a never-worn ref. AI6028-SS001-030-1 on Chrono24 for around 5,000 USD. Maurice Lacroix sells the same timepiece at a list price of 5,890 USD.

If you prefer black watches, you may enjoy the ref. AI6028-PVB01-030-1. From a technological perspective, this timepiece is identical to its stainless steel sister model. However, this Skeleton's case has a black PVD coating. Maurice Lacroix pairs the sleek case with a black calf leather strap. Plan to spend about 5,500 USD on a mint-condition model. Pre-owned watches are still rather hard to come by.

At 44 mm in diameter, the Aikon ref. AI1018-SS002-330-1 makes its presence known on the wrist. Its stainless steel case is water-resistant to 100 m (10 bar, 328 ft) and comes on a stainless steel bracelet. The black sun brushed dial features applied, rhodium-plated indices. White SuperLuminova fills the central hour and minute hands. The chronograph seconds hand is also part of the central display, while the small seconds and date display share a subdial at 6 o'clock. There's also a 1/10th-second counter at 12 and a 30-minuter counter at 9 o'clock. This timepiece has a list price of 1,190 USD. You can save about 100 USD by purchasing this quartz chronograph on Chrono24.

Other options include the refs. AI1018-PVB01-333-1 and AI1018-SS001-430-1. The former features a black PVD coating and comes on a matching rubber strap, while the latter comes with a blue dial and blue calf leather strap. Both versions demand roughly 1,150 USD new. The market for pre-owned pieces is still rather small.

Three-hand timepieces are among the most popular Aikon models. Maurice Lacroix offers these watches in three sizes: There are 35-mm women's models, 39-mm unisex watches, and 42-mm men's versions. You can also choose between the automatic caliber ML115 or quartz-powered watches, as well as different color and band combinations.

The 42-mm ref. AI6008-SS002-330-1 is water-resistant to 200 m (20 bar, 656 ft). Its six bezel rider tabs have a polished finish, while the rest of the stainless steel case and bracelet are satin-brushed. The black dial combines a sun brushed pattern with Clous de Paris engraving, and the rhodium-plated hands and indices are filled with white SuperLuminova. This model gets its power from the automatic caliber ML115, which comes with three central hands and a date display at 3 o'clock. A five-piece link stainless steel bracelet holds the watch securely on the wrist.

Prices for a never-worn watch come in at around 1,500 USD. The same timepiece sells for roughly 1,200 USD pre-owned on Chrono24. Beyond its blue dial, the ref. AI6008-SS002-430-1 is identical to the previous model and commands similar prices. Versions with anthracite or silver dials also fall into this price range.

Features of Three-Hand Aikon Watches·Men's, women's, and unisex models·Sun brushed dials with guilloché engraving·Integrated leather straps and stainless steel bracelets·Water-resistant to 200 m (20 bar, 656 ft)·Automatic and quartz calibers

35 and 39-mm Aikon WatchesMaurice Lacroix produces a wide range of unisex and women's Aikon watches. The ref. AI6006-SS002-170-1 is a 35-mm women's watch. This stainless steel timepiece is water-resistant to 200 m (20 bar, 656 ft). Its white mother-of-pearl dial is studded with eight diamond indices. Like other automatic Aikon watches, this watch is powered by the caliber ML115. If you'd prefer a black mother-of-pearl dial, you should take a closer look at the ref. AI6006-SS002-370-1. Regardless of which version you select, expect to pay around 1,700 USD for a new timepiece on Chrono24. Maurice Lacroix lists the same watches for 1,990 USD.

For something slightly larger, Maurice Lacroix also offers 39-mm unisex timepieces. One example is the ref. AI6007-SS002-330-1 . You can choose between a black or blue dial, as well as a leather strap or stainless steel bracelet. These watches have a list price of 1,990 USD; however, you can find mint-condition timepieces on the pre-owned market for roughly 1,500 USD.

The Venturer is the sportiest member of the Aikon family. This 43-mm diving watch has a stainless steel case, is water-resistant to 300 m (30 bar, 984 ft), and contains the caliber ML115. It is available with your choice of a blue or black sunbrushed dial. The unidirectional stainless steel bezel features a ceramic inlay. You can find a never-worn Venturer ref. AI6058-SS002-330-1 on Chrono24 for about 1,800 USD. The manufacturer sells the same timepiece for 2,190 USD.

Maurice Lacroix also produces a limited-edition Venturer. Technologically speaking, the ref. AI6058-SS002-431-1 is identical to the standard edition; however, its blue sunbrushed dial features orange accents around the white indices. What's more, it comes with both a stainless steel bracelet and a blue leather strap with a textile-like texture. This model had a limited run of 500 pieces, making pre-owned versions few and far between. That being said, you can purchase a new watch for around 2,300 USD.

Automatic Aikon chronographs are the direct descendants of the iconic Calypso. Maurice Lacroix crafts these chronographs out of stainless steel. Their 44-mm cases are water-resistant to 200 m (20 bar, 656 ft) and house the chronograph caliber ML112. This movement is based on the time-tested Valjoux 7750 and provides these watches with central hour, minute, and chronograph seconds hands. Other features include a 12-hour counter at 6 and 30-minute counter at 12 o'clock. Finally, the small seconds subdial is located at 9 o'clock, directly opposite the date window at 3. The dials are available in blue, anthracite, or silver.

The ref. AI6038-SS002-132-1 has a silver guilloché dial with contrasting black subdials. Maurice Lacroix pairs the final watch with a stainless steel bracelet. This bracelet boasts the EasyChange system, as well as a double folding clasp. Never-worn pieces demand around 2,400 USD and have a list price of 2,990 USD. If you'd prefer an anthracite dial with matching subdials, you should consider the ref. AI6038-SS001-330-1. New models on a stainless steel bracelet cost about 2,500 USD on Chrono24, while pre-owned pieces remain a rare sight.