Masterpiece Mysterious Seconds Only Watch 2013
Maurice Lacroix reinvents the mysterious second for Only Watch 2013
In order to support the fifth edition of the charity auction Only Watch, Maurice Lacroix has offered a new interpretation of the mysterious second mechanism. Paradoxically, a bit of magic might help science to progress.
By René Giroud
For the fifth time, the most prestigious watch brands have created masterpieces to support the fight against Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. Under the high patronage of His Serene Highness Prince Albert II, Only Watch 2013 presents 33 unique timekeepers that will be sold during this now traditional charity auction. Most of the watches are either technical or poetic, but Maurice Lacroix has decided that the Masterpiece Seconde Mystérieuse for Only Watch would be both.
Faithful to Maurice Lacroix’s spirit, the design of this watch is simple, elegant but sharp. One more time, the brand has reached the perfect balance between classicism and avant-garde. While the case has a round shape, it was treated with black ADLC coating, which gives it a futuristic and furtive look without falling into excess. In the matters of design, the dial is outstanding too. The finishing details and the small openings on it not only underline its technical and refined nature by allowing us to see the movement, but give the whole watch strength and character. The layout of the functions is clever too since it remains easy to read but emphasizes the main attraction of this watch. Indeed, the hours and minutes are off-centered while a large small second dial stands at 6 o’clock.
It is here that the magic happens. It unites technique and dream, the possibilities of the unknown and the precision of time science. And while the original mechanism for mysterious second is already close to conjuring, Maurice Lacroix has taken us one step further in the world of illusions with this Masterpiece Seconde Mystérieuse. Here, not only the mechanisms moving the hand of seconds are still invisible, but the hand itself as a strange behavior. Its trajectory is puzzling and it moves like a magical wand showing the seconds sometimes on an horizontal axis, sometimes on a vertical axis, swirling on itself while appearing on levitation.
When Maurice Lacroix constructed the ML 215 calibre for this watch, it was not only the 12th movement conceived internally but also a proof of its technical know-how. The self-winding mechanical movement has 50 hours power reserve and a frequency of 18’000 vph. Hosting this movement and emphasizing it, the 43 mm diameter steel case is water resistant to 50 meters and has an open back with sapphire glass. This opening offers an excellent view on the rotor which is engraved “Only Watch 2013 – Piece Unique 1/1”
Of course, there is a technical explanation for the mysterious second mechanism. Like for previous mechanisms, it involves discs and mirrors. But this new performance allows us to go back to the unknown and to let ourselves be awed by magic again. This is emotion and for this charity event, emotion is maybe what we need.
