Masterpiece Collection: Mysterious Seconds

In life when we meet an individual who freely shares their personality and readily displays their character, we describe them as 'open-hearted' and admire their honesty. The same also applies in watchmaking.

In this domain, Maurice Lacroix has vast experience creating thought-provoking, open-worked, skeletonised watches, which freely show the movement components within.

This year, Maurice Lacroix reveals two new models which provide a fascinating glimpse into the microscopic world of horology, the Masterpiece Skeleton and the Masterpiece Chronograph Skeleton.

The Masterpiece Skeleton

The Masterpiece Skeleton

An 'open-worked', or 'skeleton', watch requires much skill to manufacture. The objective of the design team is to remove surplus material from the watch without compromising its strength and reliability.

The Masterpiece Skeleton does not use a conventional dial, instead the wearer is presented with the main bridge arranged in several spoke-like elements. The large spaces in between each double spoke allow the numerous movement parts to be seen.

The wearer is indulged with a spectacular view of the mainspring, the balance, the winding stem and many other movement parts normally hidden from view. The skilled team of watchmakers at Maurice Lacroix ensures that each component is executed to a blemish free standard. There is no opportunity to hide anything less than absolute perfection.

At the heart of this watch is the Maurice Lacroix Manufacture movement ML134. This hand-wound movement features grand colimaçon and sandblasted detail on the main bridge, delivered in a choice of black gold or blue CVD.

Fine Swiss craftsmanship is much in evidence and sits side by side with the contemporary design. The case measures 43mm in diameter, delivering much wrist presence. The hour and minute hands feature luminescent coating, enhancing legibility at night. A small second’s display is located adjacent 9 o'clock, floating above the open-worked main bridge.

The Masterpiece Skeleton is contemporary, thought-provoking and highly attractive whilst embracing no-compromise craftsmanship, typical of fine Swiss watchmaking.
The Masterpiece Skeleton Chronograph

The Masterpiece Skeletotn Chronograph

The Masterpiece Skeleton Chronograph combines the technical demands of an open-worked movement with a highly useful complication, the chronograph. The 45mm diameter case is offered in three options; steel case with silver toned dial, black PVD case with matching dial and, lastly, a luxurious steel cased option pairing a silver dial with a 4N solid gold bezel.

The case on each model masterfully blends contrasting polished and satin brushed surfaces, delivering a sumptuous, highly attractive appearance. Moreover, the arrangement of the various parts of the movement delivers a fascinating array of depths, inviting the wearer to look at each element of the watch.

Appearing for the first time is a new automatic chronograph movement, produced exclusively for Maurice Lacroix. This movement features high-end finishing, including Côtes de Genève motif on the bridges and oscillating mass.

The hour and minute hands are diamond-cut, lined with luminescent coating, delivering a green emission in restricted light. At 3 o'clock, a 30-minute chronograph is presented, whilst opposite, at 9 o'clock, a small second’s display resides. At the heart of the small seconds display a revolving 'M' logo rotates with absolute precision, providing a fitting signature for this latest Masterpiece from Maurice Lacroix.

To know more about Maurice Lacroix, please visit: www.mauricelacroix.com