Maurice Lacroix presents the "1975 Master Grand Date Retrograde"
Maurice Lacroix | Hall A1, Booth 100
Maurice Lacroix has been making watches with retrograde displays for more than 25 years. Unlike conventional time displays, the hand does not move in a circle, but rather in an arc. At the end, it suddenly jumps back and begins its work again. It is an exciting spectacle on the wrist every time.
Twenty-five years after its first watch with a retrograde display, Swiss brand Maurice Lacroix presents its 26th Masterpiece caliber, equipped with a retrograde weekday display to complement the large date. Visually, the “1975 Master Grand Date Retrograde” scores with an elaborate skeletonization of the dial.
Since its founding in 1975, Maurice Lacroix has designed numerous watches that reinterpreted the display of time. In 1999, the brand launched the “Calendar Retrograde,” followed three years later by the “Double Retrograde” – both with in-house mechanisms. Last year, the brand finally presented the “Aikonic Master Triple Retrograde” with three retrograde displays on the dial.
Stéphane Waser, Managing Director of Maurice Lacroix, explains:
For more than 25 years, we have been developing models with retrograde displays—a rare complication in the watch industry that has become a signature feature of our brand. For this model, we decided to combine a retrograde day display with a large date complication, another specialty of our company. We have housed the movement in our ‘1975’ model, a classic design with traditional lines and a retro-modern box sapphire crystal. Masterfully crafted in our manufacture in Saignelégier, this watch represents accessible excellence, respects our heritage, and provides a glimpse into our vision for the future.”
“1975 Master Grand Date Retrograde” by Maurice Lacroix
Now comes the “1975 Master Grand Date Retrograde.” The watch features a generous box sapphire crystal that captures plenty of light, improving readability.
It also combines a retrograde display with a large date display.
The skeletonized dial reveals several components that normally remain hidden. For example, the date discs.
The underside of the base plate is visible from the front and features a sandblasted surface with black rhodium plating, which highlights the displays above. Bridges with trait-tirée decoration in rhodium finish rest on the plate and provide a harmonious contrast.
The trapezoidal hour and minute hands are coated with white Superluminova, while a rhodium-plated outer flange frames the dial.
The retrograde weekday display
The blue pointer begins its weekly journey on “Monday” and then moves to the right. As soon as it reaches its end point and Sunday is complete, it jumps back to the left in a flash and a new weekly cycle begins.
The curved scale is made of sapphire crystal and has been deliberately designed to be very delicate in order to ensure maximum transparency and allow a view of the components underneath.
Intensive development phase for a coherent design
During the development phase, Maurice Lacroix experimented extensively with the design of the front bridges. Their thickness was refined, symmetry was taken into account, and the functionality of the display was optimized.
Viewed from the side, the box sapphire crystal reveals a gradation of different levels. The side view shows depth, colors, textures, and angles, as well as several mechanical processes running simultaneously.
In-house module for reliable precision
For the “1975 Master Grand Date Retrograde,” Maurice Lacroix developed an in-house module that combines two complications: a large date display and a retrograde day display. The 42-millimeter stainless steel case with brushed and polished surfaces is equipped with a transparent case back that reveals the ML302 caliber with a 38-hour power reserve. It is decorated with various finishes such as Côtes de Genève, perlage, and colimaçon.
(RRP €7,950)
