NOVELTY 2014
MASTERPIECE MYSTERY DOES TIME HAVE TO BE CIRCULAR ?
An untold mystery In 2013, Maurice Lacroix provoked discussion and incredulity with the launch of its Masterpiece Mystery. It answered questions others failed to ask. The brand that once queried, “Why not a square wheel?”, now enquired, “Does time have to be circular?”. The Masterpiece Mystery depicts time in a linear form. A twin-tipped seconds hand, baton-like in form, traverses a solid disc, appearing to float and move in an almost balletic motion. Each tip of the seconds hand waits in turn to share the responsibility for imparting time. The Mystery reveals some of its micro-mechanics housed within the case, courtesy of an open-worked area of the dial. Hour and minute hands are located off-centre at 2 o’clock. However, by contrast, the mystique of the model is bestowed by its thought-provoking seconds display. There appears to be no physical connection between the novel seconds hand and the movement beneath.
The Mystery continues When it was initially launched in 2013, the Mystery was released in two limited series of 125 pieces each. This year, Maurice Lacroix has released two new versions of the Masterpiece Mystery, “Contemporary” and “Classic”, again produced in limited numbers of 250 pieces each. The off-centred hours and minutes display of the “Contemporary” employs white Arabic numerals, set against a black background. This provides a modern appearance and a highly legible display. The centre of the hours and minutes dial continues to be open-worked, as is the adjacent area, allowing the wearer to see the movement below. The linear seconds display is presented on a black disc with a twin tipped seconds hand, red at one end and white at the other, interfacing with a red and grey scale. The resultant aesthetic appearance is dynamic, courtesy of its black gold finishing, and provides an alternative depiction of time that encourages discussion. A further choice is provided in the form of the “Classic”. This version has a distinctly more traditional appearance. The hours and minutes display features a dark blue scale marked with white Arabic numerals. The linear seconds display employs a white disc, appearing pure and angelic. The twin tipped hand, in this instance, is blue at one end and white at the other. It floats above the disc and interfaces with a black and blue scale. The visible movement execution is rhodium coated, providing a bright appearance to the open-worked dial area.
Serious watchmaking at its heart Whilst the display may appear fun, the casual observer should not misconstrue, the Masterpiece Mystery harnesses serious watchmaking within. The automatic ML215 Calibre is the 12th Manufacture movement from Maurice Lacroix and was entirely developed, manufactured and assembled in-house. Containing 244 movement components, the finishing harnesses traditional Swiss watchmaking know-how with surface decoration such as Grand Colimaçon-shaped Côtes de Genève motif. It stands testament to the profound skill of the artisans based at the company’s atelier in Saignelégier.
The Mystery remains unexplained So how does it work? This is a mystery many will want to uncover, but like an accomplished magician, Maurice Lacroix do not wish to diminish the intrigue, retaining the secret and playfully teasing curious minds. Indeed, as Einstein once remarked, “The most beautiful thing we can experience is the mysterious”.
TECHNICAL INFORMATION
MASTERPIECE MYSTERY CASE - Stainless steel, Ø 43mm, satin and polished finishing - Domed sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating on both sides - Screwed caseback with wide sapphire crystal - Water resistance to 50 m /5 atm DIAL - Off-centred hours and minutes display in black or blue background with rhodium plated Arabic figures Large seconds display: - with black sun-ray dial execution: black background and red / white / grey print on flat sapphire crystal (anti-reflective coating on both sides) - with blue sun-ray dial execution: white background and black / blue print on flat sapphire crystal (anti-reflective coating on both sides)
MP6558-SS001-094
MP6558-SS001-095
Manufacture movement ML215
Manufacture movement ML215
Ø 43 mm stainless steel case
Ø 43 mm stainless steel case
HANDS - Facetted hours and minutes hands with rhodium coating - Facetted seconds hand with rhodium coating and black / blue or white / red coated tips
STRAP/BRACELET - Genuine black or brown crocodile-skin strap BUCKLE - Folding steel clasp with push buttons - Satin and polished finish MOVEMENT Automatic manufacture movement ML215 Functions: - Hours and minutes indicated by off centred hands at 2 o’clock - “Mysterious” seconds display at 6 o’clock - Vibration: 18,000 alt/h 2.5Hz - Power reserve: 50 hours - Jewels: 48 - Adjustments: 5 positions after full winding and 2 positions after 24 hours - Decoration: Rhodium or black gold bridges, with sandblast finishing and diamond cut edges on main bridge. Grand Colimaçon on rotor