Maurice Lacroix AIKON Automatic Chronograph: Ten Years Later, It Gets the Balance Right

To mark the tenth anniversary of its AIKON collection, Maurice Lacroix is introducing a new generation of its automatic chronograph. Highlights include a case reduced to 42 mm, a redesigned Clous de Paris dial, an ML112 calibre whose power reserve has increased from 48 to more than 60 hours, and five particularly appealing versions. A welcome evolution for this Swiss watch, which has cultivated an immediately recognisable sport-chic style since 2016.

Ten years of AIKON: a firmly established identity

Launched in 2016, the AIKON has gradually established itself as one of Maurice Lacroix’s emblematic collections. Its history goes back a little further, however, as it draws inspiration from the Calypso, a watch that enjoyed a degree of success before disappearing from the catalogue in 2003.

With calls for the model’s return regularly being made, Maurice Lacroix set about reinterpreting it in 2014. Two years later, the AIKON was born with a resolutely contemporary design.

Its six riders positioned on the bezel, integrated bracelet and combination of polished and satin-finished surfaces give it an immediately recognisable identity. The collection has since expanded into different sizes, colours and complications, without losing the elements that contributed to its success.

For this tenth anniversary, the Jura-based manufacture has chosen to evolve its automatic chronograph by reworking its proportions, dial, several case details and the movement’s autonomy.

The result is rather convincing: a watch that retains the character of the AIKON while gaining in elegance.

From 44 to 42 mm: Maurice Lacroix made the right call

Among the changes made to this new AIKON Automatic Chronograph, there is one that I find particularly welcome: its diameter has been reduced from 44 to 42 mm.

Two millimetres may seem anecdotal on a specification sheet, but they take on an entirely different importance once a watch is on the wrist.

Personally, I have always considered 42 mm to be a particularly well-balanced diameter. It suits my wrist very well and strikes me as appropriate for a wide range of wrist sizes. Generous enough to retain a strong presence, without automatically veering into excess.

Obviously, diameter is not everything. Lug length, case shape, thickness and bracelet integration also play a decisive role in a watch’s comfort.

Maurice Lacroix has taken advantage of this evolution to reduce the thickness by one millimetre. The new AIKON now measures 14 mm, which remains substantial but is entirely understandable for an automatic chronograph.

The case has also been reworked with more refined lines and a curved sapphire display back. Naturally, the watch will need to be worn to fully appreciate the result, but in my view this reduction in dimensions is a step in the right direction.

Another interesting change is that the screw-down pushers have given way to rectangular pushers inspired by the first AIKON Chronograph models. Their operation should prove more direct and pleasant in everyday use. A crown guard has also been added.

The six characteristic bezel riders remain in place, as do the alternating polished and satin finishes that contribute so strongly to the model’s identity.

A particularly successful Clous de Paris dial

The dial represents the other major aesthetic evolution in this new generation.

Maurice Lacroix has enhanced the relief of its Clous de Paris pattern, whose small three-dimensional pyramids catch the light from different angles. This treatment adds depth to a dial that could easily have appeared busy, given the amount of information displayed.

There are two chronograph counters: the 30-minute counter at 12 o’clock and the 12-hour counter at 6 o’clock, accompanied by a small seconds sub-dial at 9 o’clock. The day-and-date display is positioned at 3 o’clock, against a black background.

The rhodium-plated hands and hour markers retain the collection’s characteristic design. The hands are treated with white Super-LumiNova to aid legibility in the dark.

The overall effect strikes a pleasing balance between the chronograph indications, the dial’s relief and the elements specific to the AIKON.

Maurice Lacroix offers five versions, allowing the mood to be varied without altering the watch’s overall character.

Three references adopt a monochromatic presentation, with counters matching the dial in blue, black or green. The other two make more use of contrast, with a silver version featuring blue counters and a gold-toned version with black counters, in a panda style.

The monochromatic versions have a certain understated quality, which is particularly appealing on a chronograph whose dial already contains numerous details. The contrasting versions express a stronger personality, with a touch of retro styling that works rather well.

It is, of course, a matter of taste, but Maurice Lacroix deserves credit for carefully developing its colour palette.

The ML112 calibre and its attractive skeletonised rotor

The transparent case back reveals the ML112 automatic calibre in an improved version. Maurice Lacroix has therefore retained the same movement family while delivering a notable improvement in autonomy.

The movement operates at a frequency of 28,800 vibrations per hour, or 4 Hz, and contains 25 jewels. On the previous AIKON Automatic Chronograph, Maurice Lacroix quoted a 48-hour power reserve. The new version exceeds 60 hours, representing an increase of at least 12 hours. This improvement deserves emphasis: it provides genuine convenience in use and is not merely an aesthetic update.

It is therefore easier to leave the watch aside over the weekend and find it still running on Monday morning, depending on when it was taken off.

Mechanically minded enthusiasts will also appreciate the care devoted to its presentation.

The movement features perlage and Côtes de Genève decoration. Its rhodium-plated, skeletonised rotor, adorned with Côtes de Genève and a snail motif, offers a rather pleasing spectacle through the sapphire case back.

I particularly like this detail. On a mechanical watch, being able to observe the movement provides an additional pleasure, especially when some thought has gone into the decoration.

At this price level, these finishes contribute to the overall perceived quality. They also provide a good reason to turn the watch over regularly and admire what is happening behind the dial.

An easily wearable sport-chic watch

One of the AIKON’s strengths lies in its versatility. Its integrated steel bracelet, combining polished and satin-finished elements, gives it a sufficiently refined appearance to accompany a shirt or professional attire, without making it as formal as a traditional dress watch.

The same AIKON can fit perfectly well with jeans, a polo shirt or a more casual outfit.

Maurice Lacroix has also improved its patented Easy Change system, which allows the metal bracelet to be replaced with a rubber strap without the use of tools.

The new mechanism now conceals the release button in order to preserve the lines of the bracelet and case.

A practical solution for adapting the watch’s style to the circumstances, or simply to suit your mood.

With a stated water resistance of 100 metres, this AIKON also has specifications suited to everyday use, even though it is obviously not intended to replace a true dive watch.

EUR 3,400: a coherent positioning

Maurice Lacroix has announced a price of EUR 3,400 (CHF 3,150) for this new AIKON Automatic Chronograph.

This is obviously not a small sum. Nevertheless, the positioning strikes me as reasonable given what the brand is offering.

We are looking at a Swiss automatic chronograph with a well-executed steel case, a particularly carefully finished dial, a movement visible through a sapphire case back and a generous power reserve.

The quick-change strap system and the various finishes also contribute to the model’s appeal.

The brand itself must also be taken into account. Maurice Lacroix has a genuine watchmaking history, with interesting technical achievements, particularly within its Masterpiece collection. Its expertise and experience lend a certain legitimacy to this proposition.

Competition is naturally serious at this price level. The AIKON will have to win buyers over with its aesthetics, finishing and the pleasure it provides on the wrist, rather than through its technical specifications alone.

Its strongly defined identity is an important asset in this respect.

Our verdict on the new Maurice Lacroix AIKON Automatic Chronograph

This new generation strikes me as particularly successful. Maurice Lacroix has retained the elements that make the AIKON appealing while improving the case, dial and movement. The Clous de Paris pattern has gained in relief, the five versions are well chosen and the ML112 calibre now offers a considerably more comfortable power reserve.

In my view, the move from 44 to 42 mm is an excellent decision, both aesthetically and in terms of the versatility sought in this type of watch. The increase in power reserve deserves just as much praise: with more than 60 hours instead of the previous 48, this AIKON is more pleasant to live with on a daily basis.

The chronograph naturally retains a certain presence with its 14 mm thickness, but its new proportions should make it easier to wear every day.

At EUR 3,400, this AIKON Automatic Chronograph is an interesting proposition for anyone looking for a Swiss automatic watch with a distinctive sport-chic style, versatile enough to be worn both at the office and at the weekend.

Ten years after the AIKON’s debut, Maurice Lacroix has evolved its chronograph convincingly without abandoning what made the collection successful.

The good news is therefore not limited to two fewer millimetres: the watch also gains more than a dozen hours of power reserve. That makes this new generation genuinely interesting.

Maurice Lacroix AIKON Automatic Chronograph — Specifications

• Brand: Maurice Lacroix
• Collection: AIKON
• Model: Automatic Chronograph, new-generation 2026
• Case: polished and satin-finished stainless steel
• Diameter: 42 mm
• Thickness: 14 mm
• Bezel: steel with six polished riders
• Case-back crystal: curved sapphire
• Water resistance: 100 metres (10 ATM)
• Dial: three-dimensional Clous de Paris pattern
• Functions: hours, minutes, small seconds, 30-minute and 12-hour chronograph, day and date
• Movement: ML112 automatic calibre
• Frequency: 28,800 vibrations per hour (4 Hz)
• Power reserve: more than 60 hours
• Jewels: 25
• Decorations: perlage, Côtes de Genève and skeletonised rotor
• Bracelets: stainless steel or rubber, tool-free Easy Change system
• Price: CHF 3,150 (approximately EUR 3,400)

The five references:

• AI6218-SS002-330-1: black dial
• AI6218-SS002-430-1: blue dial
• AI6218-SS002-630-1: green dial
• AI6218-SS002-230-1: silver dial, blue counters
• AI6218-SS002-530-1: gold-toned dial, black counters