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Can you resist gravity?Preview BASELWORLD 2014: The Maurice Lacroix MASTERPIECE GRAVITY

In the past major discoveries have been made by observing life from a different perspective, questioning all seemingly given facts and, at times, challenging convention with creative genius. This is a culture familiar to Maurice Lacroix.

The Swiss company has repeatedly sought to conceive interesting timepieces which depict time in thought-provoking ways. Maurice Lacroix has a passion for progress and continually seeks ground-breaking ideas to charm and delight.

Its latest model, the Maurice Lacroix Masterpiece Gravity, is the first timepiece to feature an all-silicon assortment. Developed in-house by this inventive watch brand, it is the latest example of the company’s forward thinking approach to watchmaking.

Gravity does not discriminate, it acts upon everyone with the same magnitude. It is the phenomenon of two objects being attracted to each other and the reason objects are drawn to the earth’s surface.

The Masterpiece Gravity inspires and challenges convention. It is a contemporary timepiece, at the cutting-edge of progress, that does not merely convey time but emotionally engages with the wearer with creative expression. It presents its oscillator and assortment centre stage on the dial side of the watch. The spectacle of seeing the oscillator beating, along with the pallet lever moving, is very entertaining and emits an attractive force.

Cutting-edge technology

The Maurice Lacroix Masterpiece Gravity utilises the very latest cutting-edge technology, silicon.
Maurice Lacroix’s Head of Movement Construction, Michel Vermot, in collaboration with Haute Ecole Arc, based in Le Locle, was the first person to develop and produce a complete assortment made in silicon.
The silicon assortment includes the balance staff, pallet lever, pallet staff, escapement wheel and escapement wheel pinion.

Silicon, a self-lubricating, glass-like material, is three times lighter than steel. The low mass consumes less energy, is more accurate and does not require regular lubrication. The frequency of the Maurice Lacroix automatic manufacture Calibre ML230 is 18,000 vph (2.5Hz). It is a cadence that is ideally suited for silicon as it proves gentler to the glass-like substance than those experienced in some higher oscillating movements.

The brand has minimised the number of components to 188, avoiding unnecessary parts and, by default, providing a clean appearance and enhanced reliability. Maurice Lacroix is, understandably, very proud to feature a complete assortment produced in silicon. The Calibre ML230 is its 13th manufacture movement, reaffirming the company’s know-how and technical progress

Embrace gravity

The Masterpiece Gravity is available in a Classical model, presented in a stainless steel case, and a Contemporary model, delivered in a sultry anthracite PVD finish. The diameter of 43mm bestows a generously sized area on which to display the various design components of the watch.

A key element of the Masterpiece Gravity is the “glass-box” sapphire crystal which is domed and magnifies the oscillator and assortment, making them appear to sit high within the case and according a sublime three dimensional characteristic.

An off-centre Hours and Minutes display features a white lacquered dial which is domed at its centre and retained with two mirror-polished screws. It includes diamond-cut indexes on the Contemporary model and Roman numerals on the Classical model. Framing the extremities of the dial is a flat minute rail, featuring circular brushing.

Hours and Minutes hands are thermally blued or rhodium plated dependent on the model selected. A small seconds display partially projects over the disclosed balance assortment, masterfully exploiting depth and curving line.

Adjacent the functions presented is a delightfully decorated canvas of Clou de Paris or Grand Colimaçon pattern. Again, dependent on the model chosen, this is rhodium or black gold treated.

The watch has an exhibition caseback, affording a view of the delightfully decorated self-winding movement, featuring a Grand Colimaçon shaped Côtes de Genève motif. The generous proportions of the movement indulge the eyes with a large-scale view of each finely finished surface.

A force that is impossible to resist

Gravity is a force which causes objects to be drawn to each other. The design language of the Maurice Lacroix Masterpiece Gravity is intended to attract admiring glances. Like gravity, this avant-garde timepiece creates a force that is impossible to resist.

Indeed, the superb execution of the dial, case and movement distinguish this latest timepiece from Maurice Lacroix as a true masterpiece.