Maurice Lacroix has introduced a fascinating new timepiece, the AIKON Automatic Wotto Limited Edition. This watch is a dynamic entry into the Urban Tribe series, representing a blend of urban culture, artistic expression, and traditional Swiss watchmaking. It's a limited edition offering, with only 1,000 pieces available, adding to its collectibility and unique appeal.
The genesis of this watch's design is quite a modern story. It started back in 2021 when a Hungarian artist known as @Timeengraver customized an AIKON watch and shared it on Instagram. This act of independent artistic expression caught the attention of Maurice Lacroix, inspiring the brand to release the well-received AIKON Automatic Urban Tribe and AIKON Automatic Skeleton Urban Tribe models, with the designer's consent. The narrative continued to develop when, two years later, @Timeengraver upped the ante with a new creation. This piece was decorated with illustrations by British artist Wotto, a well known in the street art scene.
Courtesy of Maurice Lacroix
The AIKON Automatic Wotto Limited Edition represents a full circle in this creative journey. It is a merging of Swiss watchmaking skills and Wotto's distinctive artistic style. This collaboration underscores Maurice Lacroix's exploration of the intersection between watchmaking and art, demonstrating how urban culture can influence and inspire traditional crafts. The concept highlights a modern artistic dialogue, where inspirations from different fields intersect and enhance one another.
Wotto, also known as Craig Watkins, is a British artist now based in California. He has gained prominence in urban art for his unique doodle style, which combines elements of cuteness and weirdness, chaos and emotion. His works are easily recognizable, characterized by a vibrant palette and a cast of original characters. These figures seem to draw viewers into a world of complex and somewhat mysterious narratives, each telling their own story.
The AIKON Automatic Wotto is not merely a watch with engravings; it's a comprehensive integration of Wotto's art into a wearable form. The watch features a 42 mm steel case, with the bracelet and bezel fully engraved with designs drawn from Wotto's abundant imagination. Motifs such as mushrooms, little hearts, skateboarding ghosts, and lightning flashes are interwoven with the artist's signature capital "W". These elements are arranged like hieroglyphs across the links of the AIKON's integrated bracelet, extending onto the case and bezel. The engravings are enhanced by the contrast between the polished finish of the watch and the engraved ornaments, which adds a substantial visual depth to the piece.
A standout feature of this watch is its dial. Unlike previous models in the Urban Tribe series, this watch gives Wotto full creative control over the dial's design. Against a simple gray background, which acts as a canvas, the artist has arranged a group of playful characters in a color gradient that transitions from yellow to blue. This colorful design is positioned at the center of the otherwise monochromatic watch, making it particularly striking. To ensure the artwork remains the focal point, the indexes are subtle, marked only with a metal tip.
Courtesy of Maurice Lacroix
The technical heart of the AIKON Automatic Wotto is the automatic ML115 caliber, which offers a power reserve of 38 hours. This movement is housed within a case that is water-resistant up to 200 meters. The watch also features an anti-reflective sapphire crystal on the case back. This transparent back allows for a clear view of the movement. The movement itself is decorated with techniques such as Perlage and Colimaçon, and features Côtes de Genève on the rotor, showcasing the meticulous craftsmanship involved.
The case of the watch measures 42 mm in diameter and is made from stainless steel, finished with both brushed and polished surfaces. The case is 11 mm in height, giving it a substantial yet wearable presence on the wrist. The front glass is made of sapphire crystal with a double anti-reflective coating, ensuring clarity and scratch resistance. The bezel is designed with the characteristic six “claws” of the AIKON series. The crown is screw-down, contributing to the watch’s impressive water resistance.
The dial features a gray background with a vertical color gradient designed by Wotto, transitioning from blue to yellow and surrounded by black. The hour markers are simple dots, rhodium-plated, and the hands are also rhodium-plated, coated with white Super-LumiNova for enhanced visibility in low light. The second hand is rhodium-plated, providing a sleek and uniform look.
Courtesy of Maurice Lacroix
In terms of functionality, the watch provides the essential features of hours, minutes, and seconds, along with a date display positioned at 3 o’clock. The movement, as mentioned, is the automatic ML115 caliber. It operates at a frequency of 28,800 vibrations per hour (vph) and contains 26 jewels. The decorations on the movement not only add to its aesthetic appeal but also demonstrate the high level of finish that
Maurice Lacroix is known for.
The bracelet of the AIKON Automatic Wotto is made from stainless steel, continuing the engraved design from the case. While it does not feature an easy change system, the integrated design of the bracelet complements the overall aesthetic of the watch, creating a cohesive and continuous look from the case to the clasp.
The engraved designs extend uniformly from the case to the bracelet, forming a cohesive artistic expression across the entire watch. This unified design approach creates a seamless visual transition from one component to the next, ensuring that every part of the watch contributes to its overall aesthetic.
Maurice Lacroix's AIKON Automatic Wotto Limited Edition stands out for its blend of robust construction and artistic detailing. The use of stainless steel throughout the case and bracelet ensures durability, while the intricate engravings elevate the watch to a piece of art. This combination of strength and beauty makes the watch both practical and aesthetically pleasing.
Courtesy of Maurice Lacroix
The watch presents a compelling and dynamic aesthetic. Wotto’s designs bring a playful and slightly chaotic energy to the watch, contrasting with the precise and orderly nature of traditional watchmaking. This juxtaposition creates a unique visual experience, blending elements of street art with the sophistication of Swiss craftsmanship.
The AIKON Automatic Wotto is not just about external beauty; it also boasts impressive technical features. The automatic ML115 caliber ensures reliable timekeeping, while the 38-hour power reserve means the watch can be left unworn for over a day without needing to be reset. These features add to the watch’s practicality, making it suitable for everyday wear.
The thoughtful design details, such as the anti-reflective sapphire crystal and the Super-LumiNova coating on the hands, enhance the watch's functionality. The anti-reflective coating ensures that the dial is easily readable under various lighting conditions, while the Super-LumiNova provides excellent visibility in the dark. These small but significant features demonstrate Maurice Lacroix's commitment to usability and convenience.
The AIKON Automatic Wotto Limited Edition is a testament to Maurice Lacroix's willingness to push boundaries and explore new artistic territories. By collaborating with Wotto, the brand has created a timepiece that is both a functional instrument and a vibrant piece of art, appealing to those who appreciate both the technical precision of watchmaking and the expressive freedom of urban art.
Courtesy of Maurice Lacroix
The collaboration with Wotto brings a fresh and unconventional perspective to the AIKON collection. Wotto's distinctive style, characterized by whimsical characters and vibrant colors, adds a layer of playfulness and intrigue to the watch. This collaboration not only diversifies the AIKON line but also attracts a broader audience, including those interested in contemporary art and street culture.
The AIKON Automatic Wotto Limited Edition is priced at $3,300.00. This pricing reflects the watch's exceptional quality, artistic design, and the craftsmanship involved in its creation. Remaining consistent with the Maurice Lacroix philosophy, the timepiece offers an impressive level of finish and artistic value while staying relatively affordable, presenting a compelling proposition for those looking to own a unique piece of horological art. The watch's limited availability of 1,000 pieces further enhances its desirability, making it a noteworthy addition to any collection.
Case: 42 mm diameter, 11 mm height. Stainless steel, brushed and polished finishes. Wotto-designed pattern engraved on the case. Sapphire crystal with double anti-reflective coating (front). Open case back with sapphire glass and anti-reflective coating. Bezel with six “claws” design. Screwed crown. Water-resistant to 20 ATM.
Movement: Automatic ML115 Caliber. Functions include hours, minutes, seconds, and date at 3 o’clock. 38-hour power reserve. Frequency of 28,800 vph. Rhodium-plated with Perlage and Colimaçon; Côtes de Genève on the rotor. 26 Jewels.
Dial: Grey background with vertical color gradient (blue to yellow) Wotto-designed pattern with black surrounding. Hour markers are rhodium-plated dots. Rhodium-plated hands with white Super-LumiNova. Rhodium-plated second hand.
Strap: Stainless steel bracelet. Wotto designed pattern engraved. No easy change system.
Price: 3,300.00 USD
Reference Number: AI6008-SS009-090-1
Notes: Limited Edition of 1,000 pieces. A collaboration with urban artist Wotto, featuring unique engravings and dial design. Inspired by urban culture and artistic expression.