maurice lacroix model 68774 - 0864

A combination of mechanics and architecture, the Pontos D��centrique Phases de Lune liberates time from orthodoxy. In a theatre of bold innovations, the first scene is acted out at 10 o'clock on an off-centre dial, where a new and unique single hand tracks the minutes, while the dragging hours appear at a more leisurely pace on a disk. In the second scene, two superposed disks at 4 o'clock show the phases of the moon and indicate day and night. The final scene, perhaps the grandest of them all, takes place at 6 o'clock: the date is clearly shown in a metallised sapphire crystal window on a disk whose patented return system has been specially developed in-house. Series limited to 500.Technical SpecificationsMovementAutomatic, ML 122 calibre, 28,800 vib/h, 4 Hz, 28 jewels, rhodium-plated, circular-grained, hand-decorated and snailed finishing with C?tes de Gen��ve motifs, 38-hour power reserveFunctionsHours, minutes, date, moon phases and age of the moon, day/night indicatorCaseTitanium, sand-blasted finishing, 45 mmConvex sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating on both sidesScrew-down and numbered sapphire crystal back Water-resistant to 50 mDialBlack off-centre with openings on the hour disk at 10 o'clock and moon phases and day/night indicator at 4 o'clockIndication of number of days to next full moon at 4 o'clock Integrated metallised sapphire crystal on the date at 6 o'clockLarge hour numerals and minute hand coated with C1 white Superluminova creating a blue luminescent effectBracelet/StrapBlack genuine alligator, black calfskin lining with titanium folding claspRetail is estimated at $5,000-$10,000Source: Maurice Lacroix

Maurice Lacroix Classique Phases de LuneThe second interesting entry from the Swiss watch maker is the new Maurice Lacroix Classique Phases de Lune model. Available both in stainless steel and SS / yellow gold mix, this is yet another dressy watch from the relatively young brand.Unlike a great number of other offerings in this segment, the new Classique Phases de Lune is powered by ML’s own caliber 37 movement.Based on the ETA 2824-2 automatic movement, this engine features an additional module that displays date day of week, current month and the moonphase. Simply speaking, the ML caliber 37 mimics ETA Valjoux 7751 chronograph movement’s functionality sans the chronograph.Although, to my taste, the stainless steel and gold mix version of the watch leaves much to be desired (well, to put it less diplomatically, it actually sucks, big time,) the stainless steel model leaves much better impression. In fact, the design looks so good, it is really a shame that Maurice Lacroix didn’t dare to offer this model in white gold.