Twenty years after the launch of the first Maurice Lacroix model featuring a retrograde display, the Jura-based brand continues to embrace contemporary, elegant watchmaking imbued with traditional know-how. The intricately designed Moonphase Retrograde provides a wonderful introduction to the world of complications, a characteristic shared with other members of the Masterpiece collection.

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Inside its steel case, a new combination of complications are united together: a retrograde day, a retrograde date and a moon phase indication. For the first time, these three indications have been combined with a snailed blue or silver-grey Clou de Paris dial. The Moonphase Retrograde encompasses the precision, innovation and high perceived value for which Maurice Lacroix is known. This model perpetuates the brand’s reputation for making watches which are fairly priced.

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Historical Ties

This new addition to the Masterpiece collection marks the return of one of Maurice Lacroix’s specialities. Indeed, retrograde displays have been part of the company’s DNA since 1999. At this time, the Masterpiece collection was already part of the company’s catalogue. The rationale for the collection was to showcase the brand’s know-how. It called upon traditional skills such as skeletonization and knowledge of complications that were uncommon at the time.

Maurice Lacroix used retrograde displays to reinforce its brand personality. From the outset, the brand developed specific display modules for functions. It demonstrated visionary thinking founded on technical innovation without ever losing sight of the lifestyles of its clients. This gave rise to the Maurice Lacroix Calendrier Rétrograde at the turn of the 21st century.

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Simplicity and Complications

Twenty years later, the Masterpiece Moonphase Retrograde continues the brand’s tradition of using non-circular displays. The day, at 2 o’clock, and the date, at 10 o’clock, are both indicated by hands which arc through 150°. At the end of their journey, they instantly and simultaneously return to their point of origin, using a system of springs and cams, to start the following week and month. The small seconds at 6 o’clock also serves as a backdrop for the moon phase display.

Beneath these functions, the ML 190 calibre ensures the smooth operation of the Moonphase Retrograde. The exclusive automatic movement is large and tried-and-tested, delivering proven reliability. Maurice Lacroix has incorporated a complication module, designed in-house, that encompasses a retrograde day, a retrograde date and a moon phase. The calibre also incorporates impressive finishing, consistent with Maurice Lacroix’s quality standards and matching the high standards of the dial and case.

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An Enhanced Classic

This latest Masterpiece reinterprets traditional aesthetics, embracing a contemporary perspective and encompassing Maurice Lacroix’s unique design language. The 43mm case is formed of polished and chamfered surfaces and features recessed sections to produce a slimmer pro le. It incorporates the collection’s distinctive knurled crown. The dial reintroduces the small Roman numerals used by Maurice Lacroix in the 1990s, which in this instance sit atop a circular satin-brushed hour track.

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The day and date sectors feature different patterns, depending on the dial colour selected. The silver-grey dial features a Clou de Paris finish, which is repeated on the small seconds display. The remaining surfaces are bead-blasted, creating a matt effect beneath the blued hands. The blue dial version is endowed with snailed retrograde sectors, paired with Côtes de Genève motif on the remaining areas of the dial. Rhodium-finished indexes, markings and hands punctuate the rest of the dial. The purity, attention to detail and multiple patterns and textures bestow the Masterpiece Moonphase Retrograde with a sumptuous and noble appearance.

Without compromising on quality, Maurice Lacroix has once again produced an impressive performance-to-price ratio. Indeed, with its elegant appearance and sophisticated specification, the Masterpiece Moonphase Retrograde offers much for comparatively little. The blend of design, value and contemporary style is the signature of Maurice Lacroix.

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Maurice Lacroix Masterpiece Moonphase Retrograde

Technical specifications:

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·      Reference: MP6608-SS001-110-1

·      Case diameter: 43 mm

·      Case Height: 15mm

·      Case Material: Stainless steel

·      Water resistance: 10 ATM

·      Dial: Silver with Clous de Paris, sandblasted. Black printings

·      Indexes: Blue

·      Hands: Blue

·      Strap/Bracelet: Black calf leather

·      Buckle: Folding clasp in stainless steel

·      Movement: Automatic Manufacture ML292

·      Functions: Hours and minutes. Small second at 6 o'clock. Retrograde calendar at 10 o'clock. Retrograde weekday at 2 o'clock. Moonphase indication at 6 o'clock.

·      Vibrations: 28'800 vph / 4 Hz

·      Power Reserve: 36 hours

·      Number of jewels: 36

·      Decorations: Rhodium plated bridges with Colimaçon and M logo lining. Rhodium plated skeleton rotor with vertical Côtes de Genève, sandblasted and Colimaçon finishing.

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The price for the Maurice Lacroix Masterpiece Moonphase Retrograde is EURO 4,900.

For more information please visit Maurice Lacroix Online.