Maurice Lacroix, the ‘Official Timekeeper of King of the Court (KOTC)’, recently travelled to Doha to provide Swiss precision timing for the KOTC Finals, which took place in Doha on January 11-14.
The winners are (l-r) David Ahman, Wies Bekhuis, Brecht Piersma, Jonatan Hellvig, with Marcel Gut of Maurice Lacroix.
Held over four days, a series of matches comprising quarter-finals, semi-finals and ultimately the finals, determined who would be named the Kings and Queens of the Court. This year David Ahman & Jonatan Hellvig from Sweden were crowned the Kings of the Court and Brecht Piersma & Wies Bekhuis from The Netherlands were named the Queens of the Court.
Second place winners Anouk Vergé-Dépré (Maurice Lacroix FOB) and Menia Bentele from Switzerland.
Anouk Vergé-Dépré, FOB Maurice Lacroix, and her teammate Menia Bentele finished second.
Recognizing their achievement, Maurice Lacroix presented each winner with an Aikon Chronograph King of the Court Special Edition watch. The watch is made from lightweight titanium and presented in the corporate colors of KOTC.
Maurice Lacroix created a special version of its Aikon skeleton watch to be auctioned by Phillips to benefit TimeForArt, a watch auction charity that supports contemporary artists and public art education. The auction, Phillips’ New York Watch Auction: ‘Seven,’ is slated for December 10 and 11.
The Maurice Lacroix Aikon Skeleton Rainbow.
For the special auction piece, Maurice Lacroix has worked closely with movement specialist Sellita to devise a new version of its automatic ML115 (base SW200).
The watchmaker has applied a special rainbow treatment to the movement plate and bridges. The oscillating weight has also been is customized, incorporating sandblasted and sun-brushed decoration.
Housed in a 39mm stainless steel case, the special Aikon skeleton watch is supplied with a matching bracelet and supplied with an additional black rubber strap. Auction estimate: $3,000 – $6,000.
Maurice Lacroix launches two Venturer 38mm models within its popular Aikon collection as it appeals to collectors who prefer a modest ‘unisex’ case size.
The new Maurice Lacroix Aikon Venturer 38mm.
The Swiss watchmaker has expanded Aikon to include a wide-ranging selection of automatic, quartz and dressy versions of the design in the years since it introduced the collection in 2016. And while 39mm Aikon watches dot the Automatic Aikon collection, most (with the exception of one gem-set example) measure 40mm or larger in diameter.
The new duo addresses request for what Maurice Lacroix calls “an increasing number of clients are seeking sub-40mm case options.”
The watchmaker offers the new Aikon Venturer 38mm in a choice of two dial colors, black or green, both set with silver-toned hour and minute hands and imbued with a generous helping ofwhite SuperLuminova. The central seconds hand is especially visible with its luminescent lollipop style.
Each watch is finished with a sun-ray pattern dial, framed by a black or green rotating dive-style bezel set with ceramic. To emphasize the sportier nature of the Venturer collection, Maurice Lacroix fashions the watch with a crown guard and a superior 300-meters of water resistance.
Inside, Maurice Lacroix fits an Sellita-based automatic ML115 caliber and finishes the solid case-back with a ‘Vagues du Jura’ motif and the brand’s ‘M’ logo.
Maurice Lacroix offers a black or green rubber strap for the new set, as well as a five-row stainless steel bracelet. Or, for those who prefer options, the watch is available with both the strap and bracelet, which the wearer can quickly change using the watchmaker’s Easy Strap Exchange system.
Prices: $2,100 (strap only), $2,200 (steel bracelet) and $2,350 (bracelet and strap).
Maurice Lacroix unveils the latest version of its popular Pontos Chronograph with the newPontos S Chronograph, a sporty-elegant duo with dominant chronograph sub-dials along the vertical axis and a slim, almost retro ceramic tachymeter bezel.
The new Maurice Lacroix Pontos S Chronograph.
With two new sandblasted white or dark blue dials, the new look is somewhat sportier than earlier editions but retains the collection’s touch of class.
You’ll now find a day-date indicator at 3 o’clock rather than the date at 6 o’clock on this new Pontos chronograph, while the small seconds sub-dial is still at 9 o’clock.
However, note the almost panda-like contrast with the newly styled chronograph indicators and the very sharp dial finishing here. Maurice Lacroix has purposefully endowed both with sandblasted sub-dial centers framed by snailed measuring tracks. A choice of faceted hour markers adds a retro feel to the dial as well.
Maurice Lacroix retains the Pontos collection’s existing design elements, namely its elongated pushers, double-stepped lugs, and a satin-brushed and polished 43mm steel case.
On the back the wearer can spy the back of the ETA-based automatic ML112 chronograph caliber, decorated with a combination of Côtes de Genève, perlage and sun-brush finishes.
The watchmaker is supplying the new Pontos S Chronograph with a color-coordinated M-branded nylon strap lined with nubuck leather. The watch is also available with a three-row steel bracelet. Owners can also swap between the strap or bracelet without the need for tools.
Prices: $3,250 (silver-white or dark blue sandblasted dial with stainless steel bracelet.
$3,100 (nylon strap) or $3,380 (special package with steel bracelet & nylon strap).
The Maurice Lacroix Aikon #tide is made from #Tide plastics. This material, which includes fabric, rope and more, has been recovered and up-cycled for use as a watch case material.
Maurice Lacroix offers its Aikon #tide in ten colors on a white or black recycled strap.Truly a laudable ideal, recovering, reusing and recycling / upcycling is the wave (pun intended) of the future. More companies at-large, and a host of watch brands in-particular, are recognizing the value of conservation and recycling.
The Ulysse Nardin Lemon Shark
Whether this is an earnest effort by leadership concerned with the state and fate of the planet, or the more mercenary motivation of a marketing mantra is actually a moot point. Doing good is worth it, whether it comes from the heart – or feeds the bottom line.
Ulysse Nardin backs Ocearch’s mission to provide resources to better understand the shark’s role in the ocean’s fragile ecosystem.
Oris helps rebuild ocean reefs and invests in clean water initiatives, Ulysse Nardin supports the amazing work of Chris Fischer and the Ocearch research team gathering (and notably sharing) data on ocean going apex predators as well as sea turtles, Blancpain’s Ocean Commitment comes to life around the world in partnership with various scientific and oceanic entities to study and preserve various aquatic ecosystems.
Other brands, like IWC, are vying for carbon neutrality in manufacturing, while Mondaine and others are using unusual sources to develop their own sustainable sources for environmentally friendly materials for cases and straps.
From my perspective as an avid outdoorsman and current resident of the planet, I appreciate these efforts and will continue to promote these relationships in our coverage and encourage more brands to engage as they are able to in conservation, philanthropy, and other altruistic endeavors.
It’s About Time…to save the planet – one watch at a time…
This article first appeared in the Summer 2022 issue of About Time.