In 2016, Maurice Lacroix launched AIKON, an urban watch that became the company’s best-selling collection. Now, the Franches Montagnes brand has created a new line of urban watches, sharing a family resemblance to AIKON, but filled with ‘innovative craftsmanship’ or ‘IC’, as they say at the brand’s Manufacture. The new AIKONIC collection incorporates cutting-edge materials and technology. A product of the Swiss Jura, the AIKONIC is skilfully crafted at the company’s Saignelégier Manufacture, incorporates some locally sourced components and, consistent with the brand’s ethos, offers affordable excellence.
Building on the success of AIKON, the new AIKONIC is the ultimate expression of AIKON ownership. While sharing a family resemblance to AIKON, this new collection incorporates “innovative craftsmanship”. This term, abbreviated to ‘IC’, refers to the use of new materials for the dial and case, the incorporation of a new ultra-refined movement, and the introduction of the ingenious patented ML Easy Change system.
The AIKONIC features a carbon dial with a difference. Most carbon structures are formed from interwoven carbon fibre strands, arranged at angles to create standardised weaves. However, the AIKONIC carbon dial incorporates numerous fibres that run north to south in one direction and appear as grey and black lines. As part of the dial manufacturing process, the arrangement of the carbon fibres will always be slightly different, resulting in each dial having its own unique appearance. Carbon dials are usually exclusive to Haute Horlogerie; however, Maurice Lacroix has democratised this form of display. In creating the carbon dial for the AIKONIC, the brand looked beyond the watchmaking industry and collaborated with a specialist company based approximately 40 km from Saignelégier, a decision consistent with the Maison’s desire to create watches with a distinct local touch.
When seeing the AIKONIC for the first time, AIKON devotees will immediately recognise the six double-width arms adorning the bezel, a detail first seen on the inaugural AIKON in 2016. These arms proved to be a source of inspiration, influencing the design of the hour and minute hands, hour markers and crown. The crown also features a tactile grip, ensuring ease of handling, and, together with the bezel, is formed from matte ceramic, a scratch-resistant material that will not fade over time.
The steel case juxtaposes brushed and polished vertical surfaces, imbuing the AIKONIC with a refined aesthetic, while the bracelet attaches to the case with high-gloss fittings. To ensure maximum legibility of the dial, the sapphire crystal features an updated anti-reflective coating. Applied to both sides of the sapphire crystal, this treatment offers greater light transmittance and increased resistance to salt water.
