Maurice Lacroix Club Japan is a fan club that originated in Japan and is the first in the world to be officially recognized by Maurice Lacroix. Symbolizing the deep bond between the two brands, two collaboration models have been released to date, with the third to be released in June. All three models share a common theme: a passion for color.
Manual-winding (Cal. ML145). 18 jewels. 28,800 vph. Power reserve approximately 42 hours. Stainless steel case (39mm diameter, 10mm thick). Water resistant to 10 bar. Limited to 500 pieces worldwide. Price: 436,700 yen (tax included). Scheduled release date: June 1, 2026.
Photographs & Text by Mutsuyo Ito
[Article published on January 19, 2026]
"Icon" in collaboration with Lacroix's official club
There is an official Maurice Lacroix fan club in Japan: the Maurice Lacroix Club Japan (ML CLUB JAPAN). The fan club is also known for releasing the Icon Manual Club Japan Edition, a collaboration model based on the theme of "icon."
Looking back at the journey from the first collaboration model, which was released about five years ago when the club was not yet as well known as it is today, to the present day, we can see a common thread in the color selection that strangely meshes with the flow of the times. In this article, we will delve deeper into the icons based on the axis of "color" while speaking with Koji Nakazawa, founder of ML CLUB JAPAN, the world's first officially recognized Maurice Lacroix club.
Born in Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture. After graduating from an art high school and university with a degree in residential environment design and interior design, he worked in advertising sales and web direction before launching the "CELIEU" watch case brand in 2021. He has announced double-name collaborations with various brands and watch shops. In 19, he founded "ML CLUB JAPAN," the world's first officially recognized watch club by MAURICE LACROIX. He will release collaboration models in 21, 24, and 25. He works to enrich the watch life of even those alone through watches.
Explaining the colors of the 3rd collaboration model
On December 20th, I was in Nagoya to see with my own eyes the models that were to be unveiled at a talk show. There are "colors" and stories to be told at the event that cannot be conveyed through images. With this in mind, I went to see the third model of the "AIKON MANUAL CLUB JAPAN EDITION," a collaboration between Maurice Lacroix and ML CLUB JAPAN.
My first impression was that it would go well with a white T-shirt and vintage denim. The dial color is called "Sand Champagne." The beige dial's luster is not emphasized by the Clous de Paris, making it more reminiscent of the color of desert sand. Another key point is that the Super-LumiNova on the hands and indexes blends in with the dial color without being too overbearing.
What is the relationship with this year's (2025) color?
The overall impression color of this model is the same soft brown as this year's Pantone Color of the Year, "Mocha Mousse." The selection of the Pantone Color of the Year color and the product planning for the watch are decided several years in advance, so it is difficult to match the color when it comes to watches. In other words, it is a product of chance.
However, I felt that there was a slight connection between Nakazawa's desire to "bridge the gap" between luxury sports watches and vintage watches and Pantone's desire to "bring harmony - human relationships and social connections" to life.
Brown is a warm color. Don't you feel comforted when you see the color of earth, trees, or tea? When incorporated into interiors, brown creates a calming, soothing space, and is therefore often used in relaxation-oriented stores.
What is the Pantone Color of the Year?
It may be a little late to say this, but have you heard of the "Pantone Color of the Year"? It's a color selected annually by Pantone, the company famous for its color charts, and is said to be the "color that represents the year." It's also said to be like a mirror that reflects the social situation and people's emotions of the year. There are many industries, such as the apparel industry, whose sales depend on the colors announced here.
Well, have you noticed? There are years when the colors of the collaboration models match. Let's take a look back at past collaboration models, including that.
What color is the 1st collaboration model (released in 2021)?
This is the first collaboration model, released in 2021. The blue dial is a symbol of peace and stability. The color of the rubber strap used for this model is also noteworthy. Nakazawa says that this color is so full of his feelings that he used the Pantone color chart number to accurately convey this color to his home country.
The rubber strap, nicknamed "Cool Gray," remains popular to this day. This color was chosen because it is easily accepted in an unstable world and is familiar to Japanese people.
Pantone Color of the Year 2021
The Pantone Color of the Year for the year the first collaboration model was released was "Ultimate Gray (gray) and Illuminating (yellow)." This was a year in which the world was in a state of great uncertainty due to a pandemic caused by an epidemic. Even now, it is still fresh in our memories that it was an unusual year.
Pantone's Color of the Year is usually only one color, but this year was a rare one in which two colors were selected. Ultimate Gray is a symbol of trust, which brings about a lasting and solid foundation, while Illuminating means being cheerful and shining brightly. These two colors apparently convey the message that "it's not one color or one person that matters, but something bigger." Perhaps they were chosen in the hope that people will help each other.
It was only a few years after the release that I learned that Nakazawa's reason for choosing the rubber color for the first collaboration model - "to make it easy to accept even in an unstable world" - was coincidentally linked to Pantone's vision.
See the colors of the second collaboration model (released in 2024)
Three years after the release of the first collaboration model, the second collaboration model has been released, featuring a manual winding movement and a small diameter case. Both the dial and strap are a chic navy. While both are in the same blue family, the meaning of the color changes from blue to navy.
Navy is a color that leads to inner thought. It is also said to symbolize duty and discipline, and is often used in uniforms and corporate colors. It can be assumed that this color selection was an opportunity to express how Maurice Lacroix is moving forward as a brand. This model may represent a step towards realizing what is expected of them while respecting tradition.
What will be the Pantone Color of the Year for 2026?
As an aside, the Pantone Color of the Year for next year, 2026, is "Cloud Dancer." Pantone chose this color because they hope for a calmer future, one that isn't overwhelmed by information and things.
Coincidence or fate? The story of icons and colors that have evolved with the times
It's been about five years since the release of the first collaboration model. As this year's color, "Mocha Mousse," embodies, there's a sense of calm and tranquility in everyday life. I wonder if the hopes for the future, expressed through the colors "Ultimate Gray and Illuminating" back then, have actually come to fruition? This year marks Maurice Lacroix's 50th anniversary. I'm sure they will continue to add color to the watch industry, reflecting the times and the brand's vision through their colors.
Author profile
Mutsuyo Ito
He provides a wide range of consulting services related to "products, places, and people" at sales sites, including color supervision and image consulting for watch manufacturers, personal color diagnosis at event venues, and customer service training. He holds numerous qualifications, including a Grade 2 watch repair technician, a J-color certified instructor, and a GIA AJP. He is the representative director of parakeITO Co., Ltd. Website:https://www.mutsuyo-ito-parakeito.com/
Contact info: DKSH Market Expansion Services Japan cg.csc1@dksh.com
