Calendrier Rétrograde

Caracteristics

Description

New Manufacture Movements: Reinterpretation of

Maurice Lacroix’ Tradition

Maurice Lacroix is further expanding its range of high-quality manufacture movements and

fitting these in the Calendrier Rétrograde and Double Rétrograde with an in-house specialty:

the retrograde indication. With the purist yet elegant and luxurious design of these Masterpiece

models, the Swiss watch manufacturer also presents a successful reinterpretation of its

own traditional heritage.

The latest result of the Maurice Lacroix development team’s deep-seated search for the exceptional is

found in two mechanical timepieces, which are certain to generate enthusiasm among true watch

connoisseurs and lovers alike. The Calendrier Rétrograde and the Double Rétrograde from the

Masterpiece Collection stand out for their aesthetic individualism and elegance along with the highest

quality inner workings.

Valuable Maurice Lacroix Manufacture Movements

The movement of a watch is the most important piece for true connoisseurs. Thanks to its in-house

production of complex components for mechanical calibres, Maurice Lacroix expands continuously its

range of high-quality manufacture movements. The hand-wound movements in the Calendrier Rétrograde

and the Double Rétrograde were also conceived and developed in the brand’s technical offices,

and their components come from the own manufacture workshops. Maurice Lacroix took also a new

path for the decoration and refinement: The elegant bridges with “black gold” surface refinement as

well as large-scale scroll-form pattern lend a distinctive character to these manufacture movements.

Complex, In-house Developed Mechanisms

For years, Maurice Lacroix has furthered and perfected the traditional retrograde indication form with

exceptional competence. The Calendrier Rétrograde and the Double Rétrograde stand out because of

this specialty. The former has a retrograde date indication at 10 o’clock where the tip of an elegant

hand sweeps across a large-scale circular segment over the course of a month. At the end, it springs

back to its starting point. The complex mechanism that steers this indicator was specially developed

for this calibre. Positioned at 2 o’clock is the sectored depiction for the power reserve indication

showing the remaining available energy of the ML 150 hand-wound calibre thereby lending the dial

harmonious symmetry.

Maurice Lacroix constructed for both retrograde indications in the Double Rétrograde – a date

indication at 6 o’clock and a seldom-seen 24-hour indication for a second time zone at 12 o’clock – a

complex mechanism that permits an advance with the least possible expenditure. The spiral-shaped

coiled return springs are a mere 4/100 of a millimetre thick, and each one – similar to a balance

wheel spiral – is adjusted flat and concentrically with great care by hand at Maurice Lacroix. The

quick-correction springs are 1/10 of a millimetre thick and require no less attention for adjustment.

To guarantee the perfect functional operation, the control movement components are polished

entirely by hand. The Double Rétrograde also has a power reserve at 3 o’clock and small seconds at

9 o’clock.

Purist Design Nobly Executed Down to the Smallest Detail

The clear, luxurious exterior design of these two Masterpiece models corresponds fully with the new

design orientation pursued today at Maurice Lacroix. The 46 millimetre diameter alone ensures that

these entirely elegant stainless-steel watch cases will always be unmistakable eye-catchers. Their

differently finished parts reveal the extent of the care taken inside: brushed surfaces reside in perfect

harmony with highly polished areas. The slightly domed, matt-brushed central area flows smoothly

into the stricter lines of the horns for the strap. The fine bezel allows an unhindered view of the

complex dial in solid silver. There, the asymmetric layout of the hours rings and the Roman numerals

forms an outstanding feature of the new Maurice Lacroix design language. Character-rich contrasts

result from the different, finely worked surfaces. The Roman numerals, index marks and painstakingly

brushed rings and arches are carefully hand-applied resulting in exciting plane contrasts that draw the

full attention to the beautifully formed indications.