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Kong
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Maurice Lacroix 2011 Basel Collection

Recently Marc Gläser, International Sales Director of Maurice Lacroix  was in Singapore to present their 2011 Basel Collection to the media at the molecular gastronomy Restaurant FiftyThree.

The afternoon started with a presentation of the company and the latest collection followed by the viewing session of the new watches.


Marc Gläser, International Sales Director of Maurice Lacroix


Some interesting figures of their market, and Singapore is targeted to be one of their focus points ...





Displaying the family of the Maurice Lacroix consisting of four lines - the premium MasterCollection, Pontos, Le Classique and Fiaba Collection which could address a wide segment of the market.


One of the interesting pieces for 2011 -  Roue Carrée Seconde from their Masterpiece Collection, continuing from last year's Régulateur Roue carrée.



Highlighting the Masterpiece Double Rétrograde with Maurice Lacroix's FIRST automatic manufacture calibre - Cal ML191.


There are two limited editions of the 18K Pink Gold Masterpiece Double Retrograde - above pic is just one of the options.
Both of them are limited to 50 piece-production pieces each.

The 46mm case is with alternate satin and polished finishing.  Understand that the crown is also of solid 18K pink gold too.
Rarely specifications mentioned about the gold weight.  Total gold weight of the case, crown and standard tang-buckle is about 81.4grams.

Dome crystal with anti-reflective coating per the specifications.   Perhaps double AR would be better to reduce glare (for the darker dials), as the above prototype piece, could see the reflection of myself which is quite distracting.

The dial is of 925 solid silver plate, sun-brushed finished and galvinised to a beautiful deep blue.  All markers are 18K pink gold.  The hands are also 18K pink gold except for both the retrograde-hands which are rhodium-plated.

Movement is either Calibre ML 190 or 191 depending on which version of the retrogrades. Size is large at 16½ lines (about 37.22mm). Similar in parameters - automatic ,18,000 VPH with 52 hours of power reserve. Water resistance rating is 50m.



A Masterpiece Double Retrograde in slightly smaller 43mm steel case as compared to the gold edition above.
Available in another retrograde configuration with either black or silver dial. 




Next is the interesting prototype piece of the 2011 Masterpiece Roue Carrée Seconde.

A continuation from last year  Square Wheel model - Régulateur Roue carrée, which was a regulator.  The 2011 piece is more interesting as the patented "square wheel and cloverleaf " Seconde is in constant motion versus the snail paced changing hour of the 2010 version.



Note that both the Square Wheel models do not have a dial!  The white minute-markers and small-second-subdial are printed on the back of the main-plate.

The hour hand was hidden beneath the minute-hand for the above picture, in case some of you are wondering if it is a single-hand-watch

The subdial at 3H is the power reserve indicator.



The Square and cloverleaf wheels are considered to be non-linear gears thus the profiles of the teeth is not constant with varying angles of teeth.
To ensure the teeth of both wheels meshed properly, the shape and angles of teeth must be extremely precise.  And only with the LIGA fabrication, both the components can be consistently manufactured.

After the wheels were manufactured, they will be sand-blasted to a matt finishing.  The "arrow" mark is supposedly to be filled with SuperLuminova similary for the hour and minute hands for easy reading in low light condition.


Alternate brush and gloss polishing applied onto the casing providing interesting contrast.





Close up of the Square and cloverleaf wheels ...








The minimalist movement, Calibre ML 156, jointly developed with engineering tertiary, Haute Ecole Arc Ingenerie and manufactured in-house featuring a large balance wheel beating at 18,000 VPH and has a power reserve of 45 hours.



Side tracking for a while ....


Saw an executive wearing the Masterpiece Le Chronographe 2007 ....


The pushers are pretty smooth!  And now ....



the beautiful movement, Cal ML 106-2 calibre with column-wheel, large balance wheel and swan-neck regulator with contrasting  black PVD surface coating.



Back to 2011 Collection ...


Next is the Pontos Chronographe Valjoux  housing the robust Valjoux 7750.



The double anti-reflective coatings on the crystal electrifying the blue dial !



Pontos Décentrique Phases de Lune, in 43mm diameter steel case with asymmetrical moonphase and "Day/Night indicator.






A close up of the double-stacked  transparent moon-phase wheel above the "Day-Night" wheel.

Automatic movement Calibre ML 122-10 with 28,800 VPH and 38-hour power reserve.




Les Classiques Chronographe Phases de Lune in  41mm diameter stainless steel case with 18K yellow gold bezel.


Full steel with bracelet and black dial ...


Full steel with white dial ...




Les Classiques Grande Date GMT, available in silver or black dial.  Case diameter is 40mm.


Second timezone at 6H.  All time and date setting is done by a single crown.
Movement is automatic, Cal ML129 with 44 hours of power reserve.


Les Classiques Réserve de Marche in 40mm steel case ...



Hand-wound Les Classiques Réserve de Marche with white dial.





Before leaving the venue, had an opportunity to ask Marc if the Memoire 1 project is in the work.  He could only disclose it is still work in progress.
Hopefully it could be launched soon.

Any piece of the above 2011 Collection attracts your attention?


Kong

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