AIKON Automatic Bronze: A Limited Summer Piece with Unique Style

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Just 888 pieces – the new Maurice Lacroix AIKON Automatic Bronze Ref. AI6008-BRZ01-730 is a limited summer piece for those wanting a unique urban style. Why unique? The bronze case will age according to the wearer’s lifestyle, developing a personal patina that will make it recognisable and loved by the owner.

A bronze case is a “love it or hate it” topic, but one cannot be indifferent to it. Due to the patina and the issues with the oxidation, the collectors are split in two. While some do not even support the idea, enthusiasts have developed processes to speed up the oxidation process. Others just enjoy the watch and the natural process, waiting patiently to see the evolution of bronze’s oxide. Although Maurice Lacroix is no stranger to bronze, there are not many watches in the actual collection featuring this case material – at the moment available being the green dial Pontos Day/Date.

Not a diver, but still an explorer – the AIKON urban explorer

The AIKON case with its familiar design inherited from the vintage Maurice Lacroix Calypso collection with six notches bezel. The 42 mm diameter bronze case integrates a beautiful vintage-looking brown leather strap with 4N gold PVD M-logo. Would habe been interesting to have the logo in the same material as the case. The AIKON Automatic Bronze features a bronze crown and a bronze pin buckle.

The soft leather and the inclined lugs makes the AIKON Automatic Bronze comfortable and easy to wear. It is a pleasure to have it on the wrist. The weight is not an issue, but you will no forget that you have it on the wrist. It suits a daily, relaxed but sporty wear.

Chocolate for the wrist

Bronze watches are, by definition, sports and tool watches due to its resistance to saltwater. That is why most of them are offered in a mutted, dark dial configuation. Brown is often used as colour of choice. The AIKON is presented with a smoked brown and clous-de-Paris patern. It suits it well.

The dial’s details are the 4N gold PVD indexes and hands with luminescent insert. The legibility is good. The name of the brand and “Automatic” are printed with a bronze paint. I love the dial. It is a fantastic combination and the entire piece is well and tastefull balanced. One of the most beautiful watches with brown dial launched until now this year.

Robust engine

Maurice Lacroix teamed up with Sellita, the renowned watch movement maker, to create the exclusive ML115 caliber. This automatic movement is based on the well-regarded SW200 caliber. The movement’s components are rhodium-plated and decorated with industrial executed but beautiful colimaçonage (soleillage, snailing) and perlage (circular graining), reflecting Maurice Lacroix‘s commitment to traditional watchmaking. The rotor, which you can see through the transparent caseback, is decorated with the printed Maurice Lacroix name and logo. The movement beats at 28,800 vibrations per hour (4Hz), ensuring reliable timekeeping for up to 38 hours.

Conclusion

Maurice Lacroix AIKON Automatic Bronze is an excellent proposal for this summer. Priced at 2500€, the watch is a fair contestant for the market. Due to the limitation of 888, I woud expect the watches will be sold out quite fast. For me, the watch stands out as one of the most beautiful brown dials I have seen recently.