A Modern Interpretation of Retrograde: The Maurice Lacroix 1975 Series Master Grand Date Retrograde Automatic Watch
Founded in 1975, Maurice Lacroix launched the “1975 Series”—named after its founding year—to commemorate half a century of watchmaking heritage. This collection, characterized by vintage elegance, introduced a range of new models last year to celebrate the brand’s 50th anniversary. These included simple, elegant three-hand models (available in both automatic and quartz versions) suitable for daily wear; with their accessible price points, they serve as an excellent entry point into Swiss luxury watchmaking.
Building on this momentum, the brand has unveiled a new masterpiece for the 1975 Series: the Master Grand Date Retrograde. This model incorporates a highly complex retrograde function and is powered by the ML302—the 26th movement developed for the brand’s prestigious Masterpiece collection. It combines a retrograde day display with a “Grand Date” (large date) function, while its open-worked design and monochromatic silver-white aesthetic create a look that is both elegant and modern.
replica Maurice Lacroix 1975 watches
Maurice Lacroix possesses extensive experience with retrograde complications. The brand launched a retrograde calendar watch in 1999 and a double-retrograde model in 2002, and had previously introduced Masterpiece models featuring both retrograde day and Grand Date functions. However, the new 1975 Series Master Grand Date Retrograde distinguishes itself through an open-worked design that emphasizes transparency and a fresh, modern style. The watch is powered by the 26th Masterpiece collection movement, crafted at the Maurice Lacroix Saignelégier manufacture. It features a new in-house module that integrates the Grand Date and retrograde day functions. Beyond the open-worked structure—which exposes most components to reveal a striking mechanical aesthetic—the sandblasted and rhodium-plated finishes on the movement’s mainplate and bridges showcase the artistry of high-end watchmaking. Viewed from the front, the watch reveals a clearly layered movement structure; gear components are secured by openworked bridges featuring clean lines and distinct contours. During production, the brand’s workshop experimented extensively with the design of the front bridges—adjusting thickness and balancing symmetry to optimize the display—resulting in a striking, three-dimensional architectural aesthetic.
Leveraging expertise gained from the AIKON Master Grand Date series, Maurice Lacroix has equipped this movement with a practical “Grand Date” function. Comprising two discs—one for the tens digit and one for the units digit—the mechanism presents the date through a large aperture at 12 o’clock. This setup not only ensures the date is legible and intuitive to read but also exposes the disc structure, offering a glimpse into the fascinating mechanics at work. Another standout feature is the retrograde day display positioned at 6 o’clock. A blue hand advances from left to right, indicating the days from Monday to Sunday; upon reaching Sunday, it instantly snaps back to the starting point at Monday. This function is particularly convenient for urban lifestyles, aligning seamlessly with daily routines, while watching the blue hand’s weekly “return” creates a captivating, delightful moment. https://www.perfectwrist.co/
Beyond its mechanical complexity, the watch reflects the brand’s meticulous attention to aesthetics. Housed in a 42mm stainless steel case, it features a wide, box-shaped sapphire crystal that maximizes light intake, allowing the eye to roam freely and fully appreciate the architectural beauty and intricate details of the openworked design. Eschewing vibrant colors in favor of a minimalist grey-and-white palette, the watch adopts a modern, distinctive look. Elements such as white day markers and minute tracks, along with hour and minute hands coated in white Super-LumiNova®, create the impression that the data is floating in mid-air, lending the piece a high-tech feel. This interplay of minimalism and complexity is both clever and elegant; the design ensures the gaze remains focused on the beautiful openworked dial without distraction, allowing its full visual impact to shine through.