Baselworld 2015: Maurice Lacroix Masterpiece Gravity Limited Editions


Maurice Lacroix Masterpiece Gravity 40th thumb 150It was a year ago at Baselworld that Maurice Lacroix turned heads with its original Masterpiece Gravity model. This watch was especially notable as one of the first watches with an assortment fully made of silicon. But for Baselworld 2015, the brand wanted to take things farther. After all, 2015 marks the 40th anniversary of the Bienne-based brand. So at Baselworld this year, Maurice Lacroix introduced its three new Masterpiece Gravity models. All are limited editions, but the most striking – and limited – among them is the Masterpiece Gravity 40th. The Masterpiece Gravity 40th is not just a new color or material combination for the watch: it also draws together a number of Maurice Lacroix innovations, in materials, design, and engineering.

This special edition is limited to, appropriately, 40 pieces. It comes in a case of Powerlite, Maurice Lacroix’s proprietary alloy, which was developed in 2013. Powerlite is composed of aluminum, titanium, zirconium, magnesium and ceramic, making it twice as light as steel, yet twice as hard. Powerlite is also highly susceptible to anodization, which is how it gets its anthracite coloring on the Masterpiece Gravity 40th. On this watch, the Powerlite case is 43 mm in diameter. It has a screwed caseback with a sapphire crystal; the front crystal has nonreflective coating on both sides. The watch is water resistant to 50 meters.

Maurice Lacroix Masterpiece Gravity 40th soldier 560

This anthracite case contrasts nicely with the dark blue lacquered dial. A notable feature of the Gravity is its off-center displays: the main dial, showing the hour and minutes, is placed at 2 o’clock, with the small seconds subdial beneath it at 4. The main dial is domed at its center and held in place with two mirror-polished screws at 3 and 9 o’clock. The minutes track around the dial is rhodium plated.

Maurice Lacroix Masterpiece Gravity 40th angle up 560

To the left of the time displays you can see the main bridges, which have a sandblasted finish and beveled edges. Beneath 9 o’clock the all-silicon escapement is visible. It beats at 18,000 vph, a slower speed that is better for the material’s longevity. In total, Caliber ML320 has 188 parts, with 35 jewels. Its power reserve is 50 hours. It has been adjusted in five positions. The Masterpiece Gravity 40th costs $14,900.

If the Masterpiece Gravity 40th isn’t quite your style, there are two other new Gravity models that the brand brought out at Basel. The first is the classic execution – what the brand calls “No. 1 Gravity Limited.” This version has more in common with the 2014 issue of the Gravity, but there are certain important changes. Underneath the dial, the mainplate has fine côtes de Genève finishing. The dials are plated with white lacquer; the dauphine hands are made of 2N gold. This is the only version of the three this year to have Roman numerals on the main dial. The watch is available on a black or brown crocodile strap with a folding clasp. It is a limited edition of 250 pieces. Price: $13,900.

Maurice Lacroix Masterpiece Gravity Classic angle 560 Maurice Lacroix Masterpiece Gravity Classic soldier 560

Last comes the most avant-garde version of the Gravity. The contemporary execution, also known as “No. 3 Gravity Limited,” has a black PVD-treated steel case (43 mm in diameter, just like its sisters). The dial is in black lacquer and is rhodium plated. The markings on the seconds dial are in white and red print; the hands are rhodium plated. It comes on a black crocodile strap with a black PVD buckle. It is also a 250-piece limited edition, and also priced at $13,900.

Maurice Lacroix Masterpiece Gravity Black soldier 560 Maurice Lacroix Masterpiece Gravity Black angle 560
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  1. Gerard

    You look at the watch and you would want to know more about it…
    A clear display of time, an elegant composition of parts, a daring exhibition of good workmanship, a piece of jewellery. The “open” design might draw questions about value for money, though.

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  2. Carl Dreher

    Very pretty watch in all variations. But for this price, couldn’t they have used a better rate adjustment mechanism? This looks like something I would find in the $10/watch junk bin at a Watch Mart. It doesn’t even have a way of securing the adjustment lever after setting.

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