Maurice Lacroix unveils a unique watch that will be auctioned in support of Swiss Institute and TimeForArt, the first-ever benefit auction to support contemporary art and artists. Based on the watch brand’s popular AIKON model, this one-off creation unites watchmaking with a daring exemplar of avant-garde design.
The brand from the Swiss Jura has created a unique piece, employing a skeleton movement as an artistic canvas, enriched with a myriad of hues. Luminescent hour and minute hands, along with a slim central sweep seconds hand, float above a sapphire dial and collaborate with indexes, once again luminescent, to indicate the prevailing time.
Maurice Lacroix has worked closely with movement specialist Sellita to conceive the exclusive Automatic ML115 (base SW200) featured within this watch. For the first time, the watch brand has also suffused the movement plate and bridges with a special rainbow treatment, imbuing the model with a very distinctive appearance.
Courtesy of its open-worked design, the wearer is able to see a plethora of moving components ordinarily hidden from view.
The movement plays with transparency, allowing light to pass through its various openings, thereby illuminating a myriad of parts. The oscillating weight is customised, incorporating sandblasted and sun-brushed decoration. Furthermore, the movement is adorned with colimaçon.
The rainbow-theme also extends to the oscillating weight, a feature that obviates the need for manual winding. It can be viewed in all its glory, courtesy of a sapphire caseback. Housed in a modestly sized 39mm stainless steel case, the timepiece is presented on a matching bracelet and supplied with an additional black rubber strap.
The Maison’s ingenious Easy Strap Exchange System provides a simple means of swapping between the bracelet and strap without the need for tools.
The Maurice Lacroix TimeForArt will be auctioned at the Phillips ‘New York Watch Auction: SEVEN’ which will take place on Saturday and Sunday, December 10 and 11.
New York non-profit Swiss Institute introduces TimeForArt, the first-ever benefit watch auction to support contemporary art. The inaugural edition of TimeForArt gathers exceptional timepieces from the world’s foremost watchmakers, with 100% of the proceeds going directly to supporting today’s most visionary artists through Swiss Institute’s innovative exhibitions, public programs, education & community engagement workshops in New York City and beyond.
