By Jovan Krstevski
Is it that time of the year again when new watch releases make our days so much better? Well yes and of course we have new versions of the Maurice Lacroix Pontos Chronograph and Pontos Day-Date for Baselworld 2017, exciting days ahead. If you remember, this collection is one of the most emblematic of the brand that was just revamped back in 2016. Yet again the new versions are now offered in a new range of elegant calf leather straps with off-white stitching. These watches are classic with contemporary twists to be honest.
The Maurice Lacroix Pontos Day-Date seems to me like a classic bad boy. Its 41mm stainless steel case stands out. As for its sapphire caseback, well it features a screw down crown giving it 100m of water resistance. The dial sports applied facetted indexes and a domed Maurice Lacroix ‘M’ logo, looks fantastic. This watch is more classical and dressier than the chronograph yet to me it contains both the classic feel and sporty attitude in one package. The black gold, black and silver dial somehow screams subtlety yet it wants to show off, maybe it’s the day of the week indicated at 12 o’clock or the date at 6 o’clock arrangement that makes this watch a braver classic timer, I don’t know but I like it.
Meanwhile, the Maurice Lacroix Pontos Chronograph has a bigger stainless steel case at 43mm, not much but required for its complication. Just like the day-date version, the steel case is finished with brushed polished surfaces that blends in nicely with the lovely lugs contoured on its edges. This shape probably conforms to comfortable wearing, although the same can be said with traditional designs. As for the subtly inclined bezel, it fits the dome sapphire crystal perfectly. Both watches sport the same screwed down crown engraved with the Maurice Lacroix logo. Moreover, the chronograph version has dynamic pushers while the day-date has discreet crown-guard.
The Pontos chronograph sports a blue or a black dial contrasted with silvered counters, I like it when this set-up plays with the ambient light. The diamond cut hands sport lovely finishing enhanced with luminescent material on their tips for both the hours and minutes. The sub-dials include the 30-minute counter at 12 o’clock and the 12-hour counter at 6 o’clock with the date embedded on it. The small seconds is squeezed at the 9 o’clock with diamond cut hand. The red seconds hand looks great plus the chronograph hands too on the blue dial version.
Both watches are powered by highly reliable automatic movements. The chronograph uses the ML112 calibre which is based on the SW500 (Sellita’s version of the Valjoux 7750). When it comes to reliability, the ML112 is unquestionable thanks to its tough cam actuated chronograph movement with traditional three counters (6–9–12) dial design. It sports 46 hours of power reserve. Meanwhile, calibre ML143 powers the Pontos Day Date which is based on the SW200 (Sellita’s version of the ETA2824). This movement comes with traditional côtes de Geneve and Perlage that can be viewed through the exhibition case back. It sports 38 hours of power reserve.
Furthermore, the new Maurice Lacroix Pontos watches come on padded calf leather straps with off-white stitching. Brown-orange strap is for the chronograph while ‘hazelnut’ tones for the day-date. Safety folding buckles are also featured on the straps. As for the price points, the Day Date retails at CHF 1,690 and CHF 2,690 for the Chronograph. For more info, please visit mauricelacroix.com
