Maurice Lacroix Masterpiece Square Wheel «Cube» Limited Edition

Posted on by

When it was actually launched, the Masterpiece Square Wheel (formerly the Masterpiece Roue Carrée) stormed into the world of watchmaking with its innovative depiction of time. The open-worked square wheel revolves to indicate a value, proving not only stylish but legible and reliable too.

The Square Wheel concept in luxury watchmaking was introduced by Michel Vermot, a watchmaker and engineer at Maurice Lacroix. The teeth on the two unusually shaped wheels would have to mesh perfectly to ensure reliable operation. Each tooth would require a unique angle to engage faultlessly without any loss in power transmission. Initially, the technology to create the unusually shaped, and very complex, wheels did not exist and the idea was simply recorded on paper.

This ground breaking design was developed in association with the Haute Ecole Arc, Le Locle employing LIGA (a German acronym for Lithographie, Galvanoformung, Abformung), a state-of the art process. The hypnotic effect of the moving components, communicating time with a playful flourish of style, has won many admirers. Clean and simple in appearance, the Masterpiece Square Wheel has become an iconic member of the Masterpiece family. With its patented design, the Masterpiece Square Wheel remains the only watch with a functional square wheel mechanism.

This year Maurice Lacroix unveils a new model, the Masterpiece Square Wheel “CUBE”. The charm of the “CUBE” is the manner in which it displays four functions in a thought provoking package. Whereas hours and minutes are communicated with conventional hands, the small seconds display is delivered courtesy of a trailing square wheel with a luminous tip at its centre. A power-reserve indicator completes the array of functions delivered. The resultant dial area encourages discussion with its creative design, but remains a wearable watch.

A large sapphire-crystal caseback reveals the sophistication of the Maurice Lacroix automatic manufacture Calibre ML 156, the 10th manufacture movement created by Maurice Lacroix. It is presented with Grand Colimaçon decoration, features 249 movement components, a swan-neck regulator and screwed balance. This impressive specification stands testament to the exemplary craftsmanship practised by Maurice Lacroix in its desire to meet the demands of the most discerning clientele.

Maurice Lacroix has repeatedly shown an innovative approach to horology, embracing the future with new technology, whilst respecting the best of watchmaking tradition. The Maurice Lacroix Masterpiece Square Wheel “CUBE” reaffirms this passion for progress and harnesses Swiss engineering excellence within a visionary form.

Technical details
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)

Movement Bridge/Dial
Laser engraved cubes, sandblasted recess
Black gold applied indexes for the hours, minutes and power reserve indication
The square wheel and clover-shaped wheel mesh to transfer power with the same precision as the cogs in their circular counterparts; in addition the wheel is used to indicate the seconds

Hands
Silicium square and clover-shaped wheels
Holographic cubes
Trailing square wheel for the seconds display, luminescent seconds pointer (blue emission)
No visible rotation axis
Hour, Minutes and power-reserve hands with diamond cut head

Strap/Bracelet
Large scale crocodile-skin strap, hand-stitched
Available in black
Buckle
– Folding steel clasp with push buttons
– Satin and polished finishing

Movement
Maurice Lacroix Automatic Manufacture Calibre ML156
– Developed in collaboration with HE-ARC, manufactured and assembled by Maurice Lacroix
– Design patented (square wheel / clover-shaped wheel)
– Functions
– Hours and minutes indicated by central hands
– Small seconds by square wheel at 6 o’clock
– Power-reserve hand at 3 o’clock
– Frequency: 18,000 vph (2.5Hz)
– Power reserve: 45 hours
– Jewels: 34
– Adjustments: 5 positions after full winding and 2 positions after 24 hours
– Decoration: Grand Colimaçon, rhodium finish

Limited Edition
88 pieces available
Ref. MP7158-SS001-909