A serious diver's watch for enjoying the Maurice Lacroix "urban jungle"

Maurice Lacroix has now become a leader in the mid-range market. With its high-quality exterior, clear design, and strategic pricing, it's no surprise that it has become popular worldwide. In addition, in recent years, the brand has increasingly emphasized its individuality through the use of materials and colors. The latest versions of the Pontos S Diver and Icon are ambitious designs that are sporty yet also fit into the "urban jungle."

A multipurpose urban watch with a wide range of colors and materials

Maurice Lacroix was one of the first mid-range manufacturers to recognize the importance of exteriors. Starting with the Calypso in 1990, the company has continued to experiment with unique exteriors. The result is the new Pontos S Diver and Aicon models. Unprecedented materials and colors further emphasize the design.

　After achieving global success with the Aikon in 2016, Maurice Lacroix next turned its attention to the Pontos S Diver, a diver's watch released in 13.

　This model also emphasized a modernity that was unlike any other model. The rotating bezel was changed from an outer to an inner type, making it so thin that it was hard to believe it was a diver's watch. The hands and indexes also feature straight bars reminiscent of business watches. This attractive model was intended to be a new pillar of Maurice Lacroix, but was discontinued in order to focus on the icons of the new collection.

　However, following its growing popularity on social media, the company revived the watch in 23. However, the character is quite different. While the 13 model was aimed at professional use, the latest version emphasizes its role as an urban watch for everyday use. To that end, water resistance was increased from 600m to 300m, the case diameter was reduced by 1mm to 42mm, and the thickness was reduced from 15mm to 13mm. Furthermore, by changing the back cover from a screw-down to a screw-fastened type, the contact area with the wrist was increased, greatly improving comfort.

　With a new direction, the Pontos S Diver, which embraced a sporty yet not overly aggressive aesthetic, was no surprise to quickly become popular. In 24, a special model with a black DLC coating and a limited edition with a bronze case were added. However, Maurice Lacroix didn't simply offer different colors. The former featured a scratch-resistant DLC finish, making it suitable for diving, and the color combination of yellow and black was chosen for its optimal visibility. The strap was also made of durable rubber. Meanwhile, the latter was deliberately made of bronze, allowing for the watch to change color over time. However, the addition of aluminum minimizes excessive aging, as is typical of Maurice Lacroix, which prioritizes everyday wear. The strap was also made of nubuck, suitable for city wear.

　The smash hit Icon has also expanded its range of materials and colors. The Icon PVD is a limited edition with a midnight blue and gunmetal gray PVD exterior. While other companies offer models with partial blue PVD, it is rare to see a watch in the Icon price range fully covered in PVD. And the gray PVD is not just gray, but has a metallic nuance. Both choices are typical of Maurice Lacroix, which has always placed great emphasis on exterior finishes.

　The other limited edition is a new bronze model. Incidentally, Maurice Lacroix has released two bronze-cased icons to date. The first, released in 2017, was equipped with a quartz movement. The second, released in 2018, had the same case as the current model, but the indices were a mix of Arabic numerals and bars. In contrast, the new model released in 2024 has the same design as the regular model, but with an emphasis on luxury. The dial features a gradient smoked chocolate dial. The indices, hands, and "m" logo have been changed to gold-plated. Both models simply have different colors and materials, but the fact that they appear to have completely different characters is something that can only be attributed to Maurice Lacroix, which has been accumulating know-how in exteriors since the 1990s.

　In addition to their clear, instantly recognizable design, the Pontos and Icon have further emphasized their individuality with new materials and colors. Moreover, their prices remain as strategic as ever. For those looking for a watch that can be worn everyday but is different from others, Maurice Lacroix's urban watches are sure to be a trendy choice.