Maurice Lacroix Masterpiece Skeleton Label Noir

Maurice Lacroix, the watchmaker from the Franches Montagnes in Switzerland, has a well-deserved reputation for innovation and creative timepieces. The brand consistently delivers high-perceived value in all its models, and the new Maurice Lacroix Masterpiece Skeleton Label Noir is no exception. This exquisite watch is the product of a successful collaboration between Maurice Lacroix and Label Noir, a Geneva-based watch personalization specialist renowned for its masterful use of black and white hues.

The Masterpiece Skeleton Label Noir is a striking skeleton watch, a design that reveals the intricate workings of the movement through an open dial. For the watch collector, a glance at the watch reveals not only the time, but also the very heart of the watch in fascinating detail.



Maurice Lacroix has a rich history of watchmaking, and the company is not afraid to push boundaries. They readily embrace collaboration, and their partnership with Label Noir on the AIKON watch line proved to be a great success. The AIKON Label Noir, a reinterpretation of Maurice Lacroix’s popular urban watch, quickly sold out after its release. This time, Maurice Lacroix and Label Noir have collaborated on a reimagined version of their Masterpiece Skeleton watch.

Skeleton watches have a long and interesting history. The earliest skeleton watches date back to the 18th century, and skeletonization was a subtractive process that involved the painstaking removal of excess metal from the watch plates and bridges using handsaws and files. While skeletonization resulted in beautiful, intricate movements, it could also compromise the watch’s reliability. Maurice Lacroix’s approach was different.



The Masterpiece Skeleton Label Noir features a movement that was designed and developed in-house from the very beginning to be a skeleton watch. This means that the movement’s design avoids the potential weak points that could plague skeletonized movements made from traditional movements.

The Masterpiece Skeleton Label Noir is a feast for the eyes. The dial, or rather, the lack thereof, gives the wearer an unrestricted view into the heart of the watch. Label Noir has exploited the contrast between the dark, almost skeletal movement and the bright white hour and minute hands to masterful effect. The second hand stands out in jet black, and even the brand's 'M' logo near the top of the watch is rendered in white. All of these white elements seem to float in space, drawing your eyes deeper into the spectacle of the exposed movement beneath.



The effect is both stark and mesmerizing. One can't help but be drawn to those white hands as they make their journey around the watch, marking the steady passage of the seconds, minutes, and hours. But then, when the eye tires of tracking time, you can dive into the complex interplay of parts - the gears, wheels, levers, and bridges - that make the watch work. This captivating design truly lets the inner workings of this meticulously crafted timepiece shine.

Maurice Lacroix's in-house manufacture caliber ML134 powers the Masterpiece Skeleton Label Noir. This hand-wound movement is a work of both mechanical sophistication and aesthetic refinement. The bridges have been treated with a rich PVD coating and decorated with Grand Colimaçon and sandblasted finishing. The polished edges along the bridges catch the light and provide a beautiful counterpoint to the darker surfaces. A sense of depth within the movement is created by varying the height and placement of the wheels and gears.



The exposed mainspring barrel, with its intricately cut-out cap, adds another point of visual interest. As the watch winds down, you're treated to the sight of the mainspring slowly coiling tighter, storing the energy needed to power the watch for a remarkable 45 hours. This is a watch you'll want to take off from time to time to admire from every angle.

The ML134 movement is housed within a robust stainless steel case with a diameter of 43mm - a statement piece on the wrist with real presence. Maurice Lacroix has treated the case with a gunmetal black DLC (Diamond-Like Carbon) coating, which gives the watch a stealthy, high-tech look while providing enhanced durability and scratch resistance. The watch also features a double anti-reflective sapphire crystal for ultimate clarity and legibility. An open caseback provides an additional vantage point from which to admire the intricate movement. The overall aesthetic of the watch is one of sophisticated functionality, a beautiful blend of form and purpose.

The Masterpiece Skeleton Label Noir comes fitted on a black nylon strap with a matching black DLC coated butterfly buckle. This durable material is a perfect choice for daily wear, and the black color scheme continues the sleek, modern vibe of the watch. True to Maurice Lacroix's commitment to quality, the strap features easy release pins, allowing for quick and simple strap changes to customize the look of your watch.



The Maurice Lacroix Masterpiece Skeleton Label Noir is a limited edition of only 288 pieces. This scarcity, coupled with the watch's design, the high-quality in-house movement, and the brand's prestige, makes it a very attractive proposition for collectors. While this watch is undeniably a statement piece, a conversation starter, its bold, uncluttered design also gives it a surprising versatility. You could wear this watch with a tailored suit and feel completely at home, but it would look just as good paired with jeans and a leather jacket.

Ultimately, the beauty of a watch like this is that its appeal lies in the individual wearer. It's a canvas for personal style, and a testament to the extraordinary craftsmanship and dedication to quality that has become synonymous with the name Maurice Lacroix.