The Maurice Lacroix Masterpiece Lune Rétrograde
Just released are details of the Maurice Lacroix Masterpiece Lune Rétrograde 2012. The aptly named Masterpiece series is the "Flagship" of the brand's portfolio and this superb Lune Rétrograde is a showcase piece within a showcase collection.
When it comes to dial design Maurice Lacroix are virtuosos. Few brands can integrate multiple displays while maintaining dial elegance, Maurice Lacroix can. Few brands can enliven a dial with multiple retrograde displays while maintaining an uncluttered dial, Maurice Lacroix can. At Baselworld 2012 the Masterpiece Régulateur Roue Carrée caused quite a fuss with its unusual dial which displayed the hours through the use of a remarkable openworked square wheel - the piece went on to win a Red Dot Design Award, much publicity followed, yet this is a watch brand largely ignored by other watch knowledge websites. Why? I know not. These are superbly built timepieces powered by increasingly innovative in-house calibres.
This piece features not only the arcs, recesses and retrogrades you would expect to find on a beautiful Masterpiece dial, but also that most compelling of features - the moonphase complication. Located at 6 o'clock it is awarded a deservedly ample portion of the lower dial and it cleverly combines with a day of the week indication and revolves on an inky background reminiscent of the night sky.
At 10 o'clock is the retrograde date display with a power reserve display at 2 o'clock, enhanced by a graduating series of applied markers. The central hours and minutes hands are eye-lash slim, elongated and embellished with a diamond finish.
Three versions will be available, black gold, navy blue or silver dial, all based on a solid silver plate and with rhodium diamond-cut applied markers for the black gold and navy blue editions and pink gold for the silver dial.
Following on from last year's first Masterpiece automatic calibre, this one will also be powered by a new self-winding calibre, the ML192 with a power reserve of 52 hours.
The Maurice Lacroix Masterpiece Lune Rétrograde comes presented on a matching hand-stitched crocodile leather strap.
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