News - 1975 Legacy

Founded in 1975, Maurice Lacroix is based in Saignelégier, a small village located in the heart of the Franches-Montagnes. Throughout its history, the natural beauty of this region has positively influenced the company’s timepieces. Now, wishing to mark this historical milestone, Maurice Lacroix has created two limited edition models that pay tribute to its home, the verdant landscape of the Swiss Jura. Each watch has its own unique character but shares the same refined case finishing. Usually the preserve of the brand’s Masterpiece collection, the execution of each case serves to uphold the company’s reputation for delivering a remarkable blend of quality and value.

The dial of the 1975 Automatic Saignelégier Blue pays homage to its place of origin with its distinctive dial motif, Vagues du Jura. This intricate pattern, unique to Maurice Lacroix, depicts the rolling hills overlooking the Manufacture. First employed on a Masterpiece model, the motif imbues the dial with depths that play with light. Moreover, the Manufacture has delved into its archives and discovered a historic colour from the past, Saignelégier Blue, a shade that now makes a return appearance for this limited edition watch.

Facetted, dauphine-style hour and minute hands unite with hand-applied, trapeze-shaped hour markers to indicate the time with clarity. At 3 o’clock, the date is shown with a combination of white numerals sits atop a blue disc. Framed with a silver-toned border, Maurice Lacroix has chosen to match the colour of the date disc with the main dial hue. This is a detail that is considered a horological etiquette among watch aficionados. A slender central sweep seconds hands completes the functions.

The 40 mm steel case unites brushed and polished surfaces, conferring sumptuous contrast. It plays host to the automatic ML155 calibre, visible on the back with a sapphire crystal. This movement is thinner than the standard 1975 model, contributing to the limited edition’s of just 9 mm. Despite its compact dimensions, the movement has a prodigious power-reserve of 56 hours. Additional movement refinements include perlage, colimaçon and an oscillating mass that is again adorned with the Vagues du Jura; details that makes this model special.

The 1975 Automatic Saignelégier Blue is presented on a matching leather strap and comes equipped with the Maurice Lacroix Easy Strap Exchange system, allowing the wearer to adapt the look of their watch, swapping the strap for an alternative, with just a few user-friendly clicks. The caseback is engraved, ‘Limited Edition of 888 pieces’.

The 1975 Automatic Vagues du Jura GMT, created to mark the 50th Anniversary of Maurice Lacroix, features a dual-time indication. On this occasion, the dial captures the appearance of the rolling hills at dawn when the vista is dressed in a blanket of silver mist, imbuing the Vague du Jura motif with a sense of calm. Moreover, the vintage-inspired box sapphire crystal accentuates the dial’s richly textured surface.

The hands and hour markers share the same design as the other 1975 Legacy models except in this instance they are executed in golden tones. Close examination reveals the presence of an additional co-axial hand that’s openworked and features a red tip, indicating the prevailing time at ‘home’, a useful function when travelling.

The 1975 Automatic GMT Silver Mist is presented on a black alligator imitation leather strap that secures to the wrist with a stainless steel deployant buckle. Furthermore, it features the Maurice Lacroix Easy Strap Exchange system.