Maurice Lacroix has expanded its AIKON #tide range by releasing a new variant created in partnership with Thai artist and ML Crew member, Benzilla.
This special edition watch unites the world of street art and watchmaking, employing an array of vibrant colours. The AIKON #tide Benzilla was unveiled at the opening of the new Maurice Lacroix boutique in Bangkok on the 1st of July.
The recently launched AIKON #tide represents a new, responsible approach to luxury watchmaking. Made from ocean-bound upcycled plastic, it takes 17 bottles to make one watch and its user –friendly packaging, which means 17 fewer bottles polluting the ocean. The AIKON #tide shares the same attributes as other members of the AIKON family, namely Swiss quality, precision timekeeping, urban styling and high perceived value.
Now, the watch brand from the Swiss Jura has collaborated with ML Crew member, Benzilla, the Thai artist, to create the aptly named AIKON #tide Benzilla. A graduate of Bangkok University, Benzilla studied fine and applied art, however, he is now best known for his colourful street art.
His work often juxtaposes swathes of concrete with his distinctive, playful use of colour. He adores using numerous hues in his compositions which is quite surprising for a man who is colour blind.
Benzilla feels a personal connection with the AIKON #tide initiative. The watch brand, in conjunction with #tide, are collecting plastic bottles from the seas surrounding the various islands around Thailand as well as Indonesia and the Philippines.
The new AIKON #tide Benzilla exploits the use of colour to the max. Enlivened with a plethora of eye-popping shades, the 40mm model features a flat sapphire crystal, augmenting readability, and a quartz movement.
The dial is adorned with the Thai artist’s 3-eyed character, ‘LOOOK’, an alien who came from nowhere to live among us. The bezel and crown are dressed in black, while the case body is executed in a vibrant shade of orange. Finally, a funky light blue rubber strap completes the ensemble. Owners of the watch can modify its appearance courtesy of the Easy Strap Exchange system, swapping the strap for an alternative, without the need for tools.
Meanwhile, consistent with the brand’s environmentally conscious mindset, the AIKON #tide Benzilla isn’t presented in excessive packaging but instead comes with a colour-coordinated mug.
Technical details
Model: Maurice Lacroix Aikon Quartz #TIDE Benzilla Special Edition
Reference: AI2008-50YZA-000-0
Case
Case material: Made from ocean-bound upcycled plastic
Orange case body with a black bezel and crown; black caseback with grey special edition engravment
Diameter: 40 mm
Height: 11 mm
Water resistance: 10 ATM
Movement
Quartz
Functions
Hours, minutes and seconds
Date at 3 o’clock
Dial
Benzilla graphic dial with date at 3’OC
No Indexes
Hands: Black with white SLN C1
Strap
Light blue rubber strap with orange M-logo; easychange system
Pin buckle made from orange ocean-bound upcycled plastic
