Maurice Lacroix Pontos Day Date
A new version of the Maurice Lacroix Pontos Day Date has just broken cover. It’s dressed in a blend of khaki and black hues. It seems the brand from the Swiss Jura has asked the watch-buying public an interesting question: ‘to be seen or not to be seen?’ Angus Davies invites readers to join him on his journey of discovery.
The need to be seen
We live in interesting times, with an increasing number of individuals yearning for more than 15 minutes of fame. In fact, with the advent of Facebook, and Instagram et al it appears everyone likes to share a brief snapshot of their lives with fellow social media obsessives. It seems no meal, car acquisition or shopping spree can escape the lens of an iPhone. Quite simply, we live in an era where being seen and conspicuously consuming products is de rigueur.
Maurice Lacroix, the Swiss brand from Saignelégier, has just unveiled a watch that sometimes says ‘discreet’ in hushed tones and then at other times its presence attracts much attention. Allow me to elaborate.
Khaki chic
Green is the colour of the moment. An increasing number of watch brands are offering green dial options, ranging from rich emerald tones to eye-popping shades of lime. However, in some fields, verdant hues have seen service for decades. Take khaki green, it’s been used by numerous military regiments around the globe, designed to blend among the natural flora of forests and jungles. Employing stealth, unobtrusive behaviour and engaging in clandestine manoeuvres are essential to military success and human survival. In this context, understatement is essential.
Maurice Lacroix Pontos Day Date – dial detail
The Maurice Lacroix Pontos Day Date features a khaki dial which incorporates subtle black and white accents. On the face of it, everything seems designed to hide beneath the radar. However, what makes this watch particularly interesting is that includes several nuanced, complex elements designed to highlight the watch’s presence. It is an interesting interplay between overt and covert behaviour.
Khaki dial
For example, this model’s khaki dial is enlivened with a sunray brush finish that efficiently engages with light, bathing some areas of the dial in a brilliant glow while simultaneously leaving other areas to dwell in the shadows. Likewise, the hour and minute hands are dressed in a furtive shade of black, but lined with white Super-LumiNova. The juxtaposition of diametrically opposed elements is a notable characteristic of this watch.
A black central sweep seconds hand stealthily circumnavigates the dial. Its tip is dressed in an ebullient shade of red, efficiently conversing with the wearer and conferring a stylish flourish. Positioned below noon, an arcing aperture reveals the day of the week in white text atop a black disc. In the lower portion of the dial, the date peeps out from a square window, clearly visible but tastefully unobtrusive.
Minute track
Maurice Lacroix has also cleverly played with dial depths. The black minute track, framing the central area of the dial, is positioned on a lower plane. Likewise, the dial segments between 11 o’clock and 1 o’clock, as well as between 5:30 and 6.30, are also recessed. By presenting various dial elements at different heights, the Swiss brand has imbued the watch with a delicious dose of sumptuousness.
Maurice Lacroix Pontos Day Date – case
The black ops look also extends to the case which is constructed from stainless steel and dressed in black DLC. Measuring 41mm in diameter, the watch doesn’t overwhelm the wrist with undue bulk. Indeed, it should suit most wrist sizes. The lugs are short and neat, they don’t protrude far from the watch head and sharply arc downwards, conferring a cosseting and ergonomic wrist fit.
Despite the modest asking price of the Pontos Day Date, a point that I will return to later, there is no hint of penny-pinching. Take the lugs, for example. They are intricately stepped, augmenting their visual allure. A simpler design would have been cheaper to produce but wouldn’t look as luxurious. The crown features a swirled fluted grip, serving a functional role as well as delivering added eye appeal. The crown is sheltered from harm courtesy of two sections of caseband protection, subtle but functional.
The watch is presented on a dark green M-branded nylon strap, incorporating tone-on-tone stitching, reinforcing the khaki theme. Consistent with Maurice Lacroix’s popular AIKON models, the Pontos Day Date features the company’s ‘Easy Strap Exchange system’. This provides a user-friendly means of swapping the strap for an alternative without the need for tools.
Maurice Lacroix Pontos Day Date – ML143 calibre
The ML143 calibre, a self-winding movement, can be viewed via the exhibition caseback. It incorporates various horological delights, including vertical Côtes de Genève, circular graining and colimaçon. Furthermore, the oscillating mass is adorned with sun brushing. Such refinements are particularly impressive on any watch, but especially so on this model which costs a mere €2100 (RRP as of 1.11.2022).
The automatic ML143 calibre has a frequency of 28,800 vph (4Hz) and the movement contains 26 jewels. Assuming the mainspring is fully tensioned, the watch will run autonomously for 38 hours.
Closing remarks
The Maurice Lacroix Pontos Day Date is a practical ownership proposition, displaying information in a simple-to-read format. Measuring 41mm in diameter, the case should suit the majority of would-be wearers. The self-winding ML143 calibre requires minimal wearer input, making it ideal for daily wear. Moreover, the Easy Strap Exchange system allows the owner to easily swap the strap without the need to fuss with tools. So far, so practical.
However, beyond such practical considerations, the Pontos Day Date delivers more. Much more in fact. While the model could easily hide in the wilderness, its visual charms are unlikely to go unnoticed in an urban setting. This is a watch that repeatedly juxtaposes quietly spoken details with more overt expressions of style. Quite simply, the Pontos Day Date is rich in detail and eminently interesting. Indeed, the dial is beautiful to behold, its sunray brush flirts with light and various dial details are presented at different heights. Nothing looks cursory or lazy. Everything appears to be the product of prolonged consideration.
Moving on to the case, its torso is sculpted, well-proportioned and dressed in a becoming black suit. Exploring each facet of the case with an extended forefinger reveals a palpable sense of luxury and sophistication, a remarkable feat considering its accessible pricing. This brings me to another significant characteristic of this watch, namely ‘high perceived value’. Maurice Lacroix often employs the latter term to describe the high quality/price ratio of its products. It is an attribute that is much in evidence with the Pontos Day Date.
Now, I feel obliged to proffer a cautionary note. Before you are tempted to shout about this model’s many attributes on social media, just remember to secure your Pontos first. With only 1000 pieces planned, demand will inevitably outstrip supply.
Further reading
https://www.mauricelacroix.com/
Technical specifications
- Model: Maurice Lacroix Pontos Day Date
- Reference: PT6358-DLB04-630-5
- Case: black DLC stainless steel, diameter 41mm, water resistance 10ATM (100m), sapphire crystal to the front and exhibition case back.
- Functions: hours, minutes, central sweep seconds, day, date
- Movement: automatic ML143 calibre, self-winding movement; frequency 28,800 vph (4Hz), 26 jewels, power reserve 38 hours.
- Strap: nylon strap lined with black PVD butterfly buckle. Includes Easy Strap Exchange system
- Price: €2100 (RRP as of 1.11.2022)
- Limited Edition: 1000 pieces