The 2020 Maurice Lacroix Pontos Chronograph (Live Pics & Pricing)
A classic yet contemporary chronograph celebrating the 20th anniversary of the Pontos collection.
The Maurice Lacroix Pontos Chronograph is part of a trilogy of watches celebrating the 20th anniversary of the brand’s Pontos collection. It follows the edgier, retro/modern monopusher chronograph that’s also part of the launch. This model has a 6-9-12 layout in comparison to the monopusher’s bicompax dial and a traditional twin-pusher movement. Two dial and strap options offer four variants this time and we’re left with versatile, no-nonsense chronographs that can be worn on most occasions.
Preliminary note: the watch photographed here is a prototype, explaining the space between the lugs and the strap. This will be, of course, fixed on the serial production models.
The 316L stainless steel case is larger than its monopusher counterpart at 43mm in diameter and 15mm in height, and also lacks a PVD coating. The case has polished and brushed elements with flat pushers at 2 and 4 o’clock, and the signed crown has the brand’s signature spiral knurling. A polished bezel frames the sapphire crystal with an anti-reflective coating, while the caseback bears an engraving celebrating the collection’s 20th anniversary. Strap options include a three-link steel bracelet with a matching polished/brushed finish and steel butterfly clasp. A blue or black calfskin strap with a rhodium-plated M logo and butterfly clasp is also available. Water-resistance is 100 metres.
Dial colours include a lacquered white or sunray-brushed grey with either blue or yellow gold accents respectively. On the white dial (not photographed), blue hour and minute hands are partially skeletonized with white Super-LumiNova inserts, while the silver chronograph seconds hand has a blue tip. A 30-minute counter sits at 12 o’clock with a 12-hour counter at 6 o’clock and small seconds at 9 o’clock. The small seconds sub-dial is white with a contrasting blue hand, while the other two sub-dials are framed in blue with silver hands. A date window tastefully blends into the 12-hour counter at 6 o’clock. Blue applied Arabic numerals span the perimeter with an outermost seconds track. On the grey dial, the hands and indices are gold, although all sub-dial hands are gold as well, not just the small seconds. The chronograph seconds hand is gold with a grey tip.
The ML112 automatic chronograph calibre (supplied by Sellita) powers the line with 21 jewels, 28,800vph (4Hz) and a 42-hour power reserve. Functions include central hours, minutes and chronograph seconds, 30-minute counter, 12-hour counter, small seconds and date. The movement is rhodium plated with circular graining and Côtes de Genève on the rotor.
Unlike the aforementioned Monopusher, the 2020 Maurice Lacroix Pontos Chronograph watches are not limited editions and offer four different models (two dials and two straps). It will be priced at CHF 2,690 on leather strap and CHF 2,850 on steel bracelet. For more information, visit the Maurice Lacroix website.