Maurice Lacroix Aikon Venturer 38 mm Watch Review
The Maurice Lacroix AIKON Venturer 38 mm is a member of the AIKON collection, a family of urban-themed watches that continue to enjoy huge commercial success. Angus Davies appraises this latest model and also points out how horophiles can distinguish between marketing hype and truly successful models.
Do you know how to spot a genuine success story?
In my former life, I was a salesman, travelling around my native UK, visiting clients, selling industrial products. Quite often it necessitated staying in hotels. While eating in a hotel restaurant, I would meet other salesmen. Some of these individuals had a tendency to describe everything in a very positive light, often portraying themselves as incredibly successful, hitting all their targets, selling an inordinate amount of products, etc. Everything in the garden was seemingly rosy. However, with maturity comes a degree of scepticism and I eventually learnt to dismiss such bullish dialogue.
In the watch industry, some brands talk about record sales, full order books and an inability to supply enough watches. While some of these companies are telling the truth, other firms are being a tad disingenuous.
Maurice Lacroix AIKON
The best way for a consumer to ascertain whether a watch really is a box-office sensation is to look at the evolution of the collection it belongs to. Take the Maurice Lacroix AIKON, for example, a model that was originally released in 2016. Initially, the collection comprised a quartz-powered three-hander with a date. However, two years later, (2018) additional references were added to the collection, each endowed with a mechanical movement.
Since 2018, the watch firm from Saignelégier has released a plethora of AIKON models, including skeleton watches, bronze watches, chronographs, grand date models, GMTs, etc. If a model is failing, a brand doesn’t usually continue releasing numerous additional failures. Put simply, success breeds success and failure hides beneath a rock never to be seen again. The expansion of the AIKON range clearly demonstrates it is a resounding success.
The AIKON Venturer 43 mm
In 2019, Maurice Lacroix released the AIKON Venturer, a divers’ watch with 300M water resistance, housed in a 43mm case. When I wore a sample of this watch a few years ago, I soon fell in love with its handsome dial and ergonomic wrist-fit. Moreover, the scale perfectly suited my leviathan-like physique. However, I accept not everyone shares my fondness for comparatively large watches. Indeed, there is a growing appetite among the watch-collecting community for smaller cases, especially watches measuring 38mm or 39mm in diameter.
Maurice Lacroix AIKON Venturer 38 mm – a smaller case but with no concessions
Now, Maurice Lacroix has released another AIKON Venturer, this time housed in a 38 mm case. Save for its smaller dimensions, this latest model shares all the attributes of the 43 mm model, including its useful water resistance of 300 M.
Maurice Lacroix AIKON Venturer 38 mm – dial
The brand offers the model in a choice of two dial colours, black or green. Personally, I prefer the latter option, appreciating its non-conformist verdant hue. Both options feature sunray decoration, a motif that dances with light, culminating in pockets of brilliance and shade.
The hour and minute hands are plump, silver-toned and lined with white luminescent fill. Generously proportioned indexes, again enriched with white Super-LumiNova, collaborate with the hour and minute hands, efficiently expressing meaning. While some would-be wearers may not exploit the full subaquatic potential of this watch, its notable lucidity is equally useful on terra firma.
A central sweep seconds hand circumnavigates the dial and is equipped with a luminescent lollipop, augmenting readability. A date display, positioned adjacent to the crown, completes the inventory of functions.
Maurice Lacroix AIKON Venturer 38 mm – case
Upholding divers’ watch tradition, the bezel is unidirectional, features a count-up scale and a scratch-resistant ceramic insert. The crown is shrouded from harm, shielded by a protective guard. Traditionally divers’ watches are equipped with a solid caseback, a characteristic the Jura-based brand has chosen to respect. In this instance, the caseback is engraved with ‘Vagues du Jura’ motif as well as the company’s ‘M’ logo.
Maurice Lacroix AIKON Venturer 38 mm – rubber strap, 5-rows bracelet or both
Maurice Lacroix offers the watch on a colour-coordinating rubber strap or a 5-rows stainless steel bracelet. The Maison has used FKM rubber, a superior grade of rubber which is more flexible, offers excellent wear resistance and will retain its original colour for longer.
The 5-rows bracelet is secured to the wrist with a folding clasp. The Maurice Lacroix AIKON Venturer 38mm features the brand’s Easy Strap Exchange System, allowing the wearer to swap the bracelet for a strap and vice-versa without the need for tools. Furthermore, the process is not technically challenging and can be performed in a matter of seconds. The Maison also offers the option of purchasing the model on a 5-rows bracelet together with the rubber strap for a modest premium.
The automatic ML 115 calibre
The Maurice Lacroix AIKON Venturer 38mm is equipped with the ML115 calibre, an automatic movement that requires minimal wearer input, making it ideal for daily wear. The balance has a frequency of 28,800 vph (4 Hz) and the movement contains 26 jewels. Assuming the watch is fully wound, it will run autonomously for 38 hours.
Maurice Lacroix AIKON Venturer 38 mm – closing thoughts
So, the first question many readers will ask is, “Would you buy the AIKON Venturer 38mm?” No, personally, I would opt for the 43mm case size, based on my notable stature and my giant-sized wrists. However, for any regular-sized wearers, the new 38mm case option may prove the optimal size. Certainly, I like the fact that Maurice Lacroix has decided to offer consumers more choice. Moreover, I would suggest this latest model is suitable for both genders and may well suit active wearers drawn to the timepiece’s robustness and practicality.
The Maurice Lacroix AIKON Venturer 38mm may be smaller than its older sibling, but it delivers the same impressive blend of qualities. The simple-to-read dial is beautifully executed with gorgeous sunray decoration and white accents. In common with the 43mm model, the case of this new watch tastefully blends polished and satin-finished surfaces with crisp delineation in between.
Wearer comfort is an attribute common to all AIKON models. Both the integrated straps and bracelets encircle the wrist comfortably with no suggestion of chafing. It is interesting that Maurice Lacroix has chosen to offer the timepieces on FKM rubber straps, a standard that is usually the preserve of far costlier watches. Indeed, scrutinise the model with a loupe and survey each facet with an inquisitive finger and you will readily discern the high quality-price ratio this model offers. The AIKON’s extraordinary success seems destined to continue.
Further reading
https://www.mauricelacroix.com/
Technical specifications
- Model: Maurice Lacroix Aikon Venturer 38 mm
- Reference: AI6057-SSL50-630-5
- Case: stainless steel, diameter 38 mm, height 12 mm, water resistance 30 ATM (300 m); sapphire crystal to the front and solid case back.
- Functions: hours, minutes, central sweep seconds, date
- Movement: automatic ML115 calibre, self-winding movement; frequency 28,800 vph (4 Hz), 26 jewels, power reserve 38 hours.
- Strap: green rubber with stainless steel. Includes Easy Strap Exchange system
- Price: €2100 (RRP as of 25.9.2023)