Watch & Jewelry
March 31, 2015
MAURICE LACROIX | Pontos Off-Center GMT
MAURICE LACROIX
PONTOS OFF-CENTER GMT
Text by OPENERS
Apart from Maurice Lacroix's signature "Masterpiece" collection, the brand's entry-level line is represented by "Pontos." This collection combines timeless, simple design with practical, added functions, appealing to a wide range of users from beginners to high-end enthusiasts due to its versatility.
However, the Off-Center GMT, introduced in 2006, became a masterpiece that upgraded the potential of the "Pontos," originally positioned as an entry-level line, and quickly captivated watch enthusiasts. Its limited production of 999 pieces worldwide also added a unique allure, previously unseen in the Pontos line.
It features an off-center dial design and a sub-dial for the second time zone, allowing for day/night distinction. Furthermore, it incorporates a date display and presents each function in a multi-layered, three-dimensional manner. The dial is crafted from titanium, which, along with the frosted sapphire crystal used for the date display, creates a distinctive texture. Its aesthetic beauty garnered attention, earning it the highest honor, "Best of the Best," at Germany's prestigious "Red Dot Design Award." Its contribution to establishing the trend of multi-layered dials in the watch world is immense.
The innovation is not limited to its design. The Cal. ML121 movement, developed in-house, connects the base movement and complex modules to position the date as close to the dial's surface as possible. Adjusting the second time zone, linked to the day/night indicator, is made possible solely by a push-button above the crown. The movement, visible through the sapphire case back, is adorned with Côtes de Genève and perlage decorations, along with a special coating that emits a Black Shine, showcasing a high degree of artistic perfection.
The case boasts a generous 45mm diameter. Made from high-quality Grade 2 titanium, it offers enhanced durability while ensuring a lightweight and comfortable fit. The dial is available in two variations: black and grey.
Automatic winding. 28,800 vibrations per hour. 40-hour power reserve. 45mm case diameter. Titanium case. Crocodile strap. 5 ATM water resistance. ¥703,500.
BRAND HISTORY
Its origins trace back to a watch workshop that produced original watches for a prestigious Swiss watch retailer in the 1960s. In the 1970s, amidst the quartz watch boom, this workshop resolved to preserve the tradition of mechanical watches and established its own brand, "Maurice Lacroix," in 1975, officially launching its own timepieces.
Possessing state-of-the-art case manufacturing facilities, Maurice Lacroix successively introduced models with beautifully crafted case lines, emphasizing detail while controlling production costs. Many of these featured complications favored by connoisseurs, such as retrograde displays, triple calendars, and flyback chronographs, gradually earning the brand recognition among watch enthusiasts across Europe.
Subsequently, in 2000, Maurice Lacroix renovated its watchmaking facilities and, entering the 21st century, released a series of masterpieces with further refined designs and functions. In '06, they developed their first in-house chronograph movement, propelling the brand to become one of the most dynamic players in the industry. Hints of an unprecedented complication to be unveiled in 2008 have been dropped, with full details gradually revealed on their official website.
FOUNDED: 1975
ORIGIN: Saignelégier, Switzerland
KEY COLLECTIONS: Masterpiece, Pontos
INQUIRIES: DKSH Japan Tel. 03-5441-4515
Official Website: http://www.mauricelacroix.jp/