ReviewIn A Sea Of Its Own: Presenting The Latest Maurice Lacroix Pontos Chronograph

Named for the Greek region of Pontos on the coast of the Black Sea, Maurice Lacroix’s Pontos line of watches has been around since the year 2000, and, much like their namesake, the watches too have changed constantly over the years. In 2020, the brand released five new Pontos timepieces which sort of relaunched and redefined the line. Before this, while there were some stunning timepieces within the collection, the Pontos brand lacked a clear personality. It was not as bold as Maurice Lacroix’s Aikon line, and not as elaborate as their Masterpiece collection. But the gap between the brand’s two most successful collections was far too wide, and the Pontos line of watches seemed to be the answer the maison were looking for. Among the 2020 novelties were a limited-edition retro-looking monopusher chronograph, replete with telemeter and tachymeter scales displayed in the centre of the dial, two versions of the Pontos Day-Date timepiece, and two of the new Pontos Chronograph models.

It is these new chronographs that have now become the yardstick that future Maurice Lacroix chronographs will be measured against. The first featured a lacquered white dial with blue counter markings, numerals and hands, and the second had a sunray brushed silver dial with gold plated counter markings, numerals and hands. In 2021, the brand released a dark blue-dial version of this chronograph, with rhodium plated numerals and hands, offered on a matching blue leather strap or a three-link stainless steel bracelet. Their latest offering has a sunbrushed black dial with rhodium polished numerals hands, or a gunmetal-grey dial with gold-plated numerals and hands, both paired with a black leather strap or a three-link stainless steel bracelet.

What Makes The Pontos Chronograph Unique

No longer hiding in the shadow of the brand’s other better-known lines, the Pontos chronograph has now acquired a well-defined identity, one of understated elegance, recognisable by subtle nuances that set it apart from other offerings by the brand.

Case Size And Structure

The Pontos Chronograph has distinctive satin and brushed finishes on a beautifully crafted circular stainless-steel case, with a domed sapphire crystal glass protecting the dial. At 43mm, the case is a little big, but not too bulky, and fits well on the wrist. An added bonus is the timepiece’s 100m water resistance, making it a comfortable everyday watch.

Maurice Lacroix's latest Pontos Chorograph in a sunbrushed black dial with rhodium polished numerals and hands, mounted on a leather strap or steel bracelet

The second version has a gunmetal-grey dial with contrasting gold-plated hands and Arabic numerals, mounted on a leather strap or steel bracelet

Alternating Matt And Shiny Finishing

The bezel is polished on the surface and has a satin finish on the edge. This dual finish is also visible in the ergonomically shaped bent lugs, with a satin finish on the first level, and a polished and recessed outer level. These alternating matt and satin finishes give the watch an elegant feel.

A Knurled Crown And Pusher-Guards

The crown at three o’clock with the brand’s signature spiral knurling has two ‘shoulders’ on either side that work as chronograph pushers, but look more like stylised crown guards, adding to the elegance of the case.

Sunray-Brushed Dial

The reflections from the sunray-brushed dials on the Pontos Chronograph give them a different look in different light, making the timepiece just as suitable with evening wear as with everyday jeans. The concentric graining on the monochromatic sub-dials stands out in contrast. 

The Tri-Compax, Uncluttered Layout

The tri-compax layout on the dial features a central seconds chronograph hand, small seconds in a sub-dial at nine o’clock, and 30-minute and 12-hour chronograph counters at 12 and six o’clock respectively, with the date window nestled neatly within the 12-hour counter at six. The decision to keep these sub-dials monochromatic ensures that the watch face looks uncluttered and easy to read.

Contemporary Arabic Numerals

While the flange ring of the Pontos Chronograph features the crisp minute markers, instead of the collection’s standard applied indexes, these latest chronograph versions have Arabic numerals for hour markers, giving the new Pontos chronograph a contemporary look and feel.

The reflections from the sunray-brushed dials give them a different look in different light, and the concentric graining on the monochromatic sub-dials stands out in contrast

Skeletonised Timekeeping

The hour and minute hands of the Pontos Chronograph are open-worked at the base and coated with Super-LumiNova towards the ends, aiding legibility in low-light conditions. The central sweeping chronograph hand is also tipped in the lume. The colour of the hands matches that of the Arabic numerals, enhancing the clean look of the timepiece.

View Of The Movement

Maurice Lacroix are known for their mechanical movements made in their ‘state-of the-art workshops in Saignelégier’. The Pontos Chronographs are powered by the automatic calibre ML112, which beats at a frequency of 28,800vph, and offers a power reserve of 42 hours. And in the latest iterations of the Pontos Chronographs, you also get a view of this movement through sapphire crystal display casebacks.

Easy Strap Exchange System

Borrowing a page from their cousin, the Aikon, the Pontos chronographs now come with the brand’s Easy Strap Exchange System, which allows the wearer to switch easily between a stainless steel three-link bracelet and a leather strap, without the use of additional tools, made possible via a quick-release spring on the underside of the strap.

Maurice Lacroix Pontos SHOP THE COLLECTION

Eco-Conscious Packaging

Inspired by the environmentally-conscious Aikon #tide collection, a range of models made from upcycled ocean-bound waste, all of Maurice Lacroix’s watches are now delivered in packaging made from upcycled ocean-bound waste. The brand claims that ‘it takes 34 bottles to make each watch box which means 34 fewer bottles polluting the sea’.

Value Proposition

The size of the Pontos Chronograph makes it extremely wearable, and its finish and feel make it suitable for just about any occasion. If a neat chronograph complication with a view of the movement are what you’re looking for, then this might just be the watch for you. Besides all else, the value proposition offered by the Maurice Lacroix Pontos series is remarkable—especially in its range.