Maurice Lacroix presented at Baselworld 2010 a new piece the Masterpiece Régulateur Roue Carrée.

This latest release from the prestigious manufacturer displays the hours through the use of a remarkable openworked square wheel which in turn is driven by a neighbouring cloverleaf-shaped wheel, the two connecting and interlocking in complete precision despite being worlds apart in terms of shape and form.  Like so many modern and traditional horological achievements  it shouldn’t work …….but it does.  One corner of the square points to the hour and is  raised and superluminova highlighted for readibility and perhaps effect, resulting in a mesmerising display termed by Maurice Lacroix as “Squaring the Circle”. Design of this exceptional piece is credited to the highly acclaimed watchmaker Michel Vermont and was produced in association with Haute Ecole Arc Ingénierie.

Maurice Lacroix Masterpiece Régulateur Roue Carrée

The Masterpiece Régulateur Roue Carrée features a more conventional central minutes hand with a small seconds sub-dial at six o’clock and power reserve indicator at the three o’clock position.  The dial is in fact the main plate of the ML 153 movement and a powerful combination of polished and matt finishes accent the features perfectly.

Continued investment in the development of its movements in particular the production of its own precision movement components at La Manufacture des Franches-Montagnes SA (MFM), the specialised company set up by the  brand have ensured that Maurice Lacroix continue to innovate within the industry and this latest technological triumph for the brand  throws down another horological gauntlet to the others.

Popularity: 10% [?]

From the workshop of Maurice Lacroix comes a new limited edition piece, the Maurice Lacroix Pontos Décentrique Phases de Lune.

Enthusiasts who appreciate unusual dial arrangements may have noticed previous Pontos Décentrique releases and this latest watch with its visually stunning atypical styling will not disappoint.

Display of hours, date and the exquisite moon phase are enabled via discs constantly rotating beneath the dial and are viewed through apertures positioned at the 4 o’clock position for the moon phase (which also doubles for the day/night feature),  the 10 o’clock for the hours and the 6 o’clock position for the date, leaving the only hand featured on the dial, the minutes hand to sweep around its off-centre dial alone.

The movement is the self-winding Calibre ML122 and the 45mm watchcase is constructed from titanium with a sand-blasted finish made all the more tactile with a coating of anti-fingermarking treatment.  The  Maurice Lacroix Pontos Décentrique Phases de Lune will be limited to 500 pieces world wide and will form part of the new 2010 portfolio.

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Popularity: 10% [?]