While most are captivated by the highly successful and attractive Aikon collection, representing accessible luxury sports watches with an integrated bracelet, Maurice Lacroix has more novelties on offer.
Specifically, there are watches we have long appreciated at WatchTested - a rather unique approach to a diver with a somewhat modern compressor vibe, the Pontos S Diver. First introduced in 2013 and somewhat overlooked after the arrival of the Aikon, ML brought back its diver watch last year in an updated form. The collection is expanding again with the introduction of two new versions of the Maurice Lacroix Pontos S Diver in black DLC or bronze.
The Maurice Lacroix Pontos S Diver has always been a modern, relaxed take on the classic 1960s-1970s compressor dive watch. Developed in the late 1950s by Ervin Piquerez SA (EPSA), the (Super)compressor diving watches feature a patented spring mechanism between the case and the case back. This system made the watch more water-resistant the deeper it was submerged.
Moreover, the main visual element that identified compressor watches was the presence of two crowns, the upper one operating the internal rotating diver's bezel. Thanks to modern production technologies, compressor watches were somewhat forgotten until the vintage watch trend revived their characteristic look - but rarely with the original spring construction. Nevertheless, the compressor design with two crowns and an internal bezel became key in creating many modern models, like the Maurice Lacroix Pontos S Diver.
The Pontos S Diver model, first released in 2013, represented an updated version of this concept: a large case, massive water-resistant body, a crown at the 3 o'clock position, and an additional bezel crown at the 2 o'clock position (instead of the classic 2 and 4 o'clock). However, the Pontos S Diver became a collateral victim of the Aikon collection's success and was discontinued. In subsequent years, Maurice Lacroix received numerous requests to restore the original diver's watch, which was done last year.
Retaining the overall design of the original 2013 collection, the new Pontos S Diver model has become slightly smaller (42mm versus 43mm) and thinner, opting for a fresh color palette. More comfortable to wear, they maintain solid diving capabilities with 300m water resistance (versus the previous 600m) and have eliminated the helium release valve. Of course, avid divers might find this somewhat problematic, but for most watch enthusiasts, this set of features will be more than sufficient.
Before getting into the details of the new releases, let's discuss the technical specifications. As mentioned, these 42-millimeter compressor-style diving watches have become less hardcore, more wearable, but still remain a capable water instrument… but they were also designed to look good onshore. The angular lugs have become more elegant, and the watch retains a handsome oversized crown at the 2 o'clock position for the internal bezel with a colored ring. Sapphire glass protects the dial, and the case back is made of robust steel secured by six screws. A thickness of 13 mm is also acceptable. Inside is the ML115 caliber, also known as Sellita SW 200-1, a reliable and easy-to-service Swiss automatic movement.
In 2024, we received two new versions of the Maurice Lacroix Pontos S Diver watches. The first model, released in a limited edition of 888 pieces, is housed in a bronze case and features a grained black dial (last year's limited bronze version had a blue dial). The hands and applied markers are made of 4N gold with PVD coating matching the bronze, and all display elements are coated with beige Super-LumiNova luminescent compound. The vintage, urban style of this edition is complemented by a brown leather strap with a bronze clasp.
The second version this year is a special edition (non-limited) with a fully black theme. The sandblasted stainless steel case of this night edition is covered with black DLC and complemented by a black rubber strap secured on the wrist with a sandblasted black DLC clasp. The dial is executed in modern tones, combining a black grained background with white and yellow accents. The markers and hands are blackened and filled with white SLN, except for the large minute hand in bright yellow. This color is also used on the seconds hand and hour markers. Note that the white date disc on the prototype photographed here will be replaced with black in the final version.
The new Maurice Lacroix Pontos S Diver watches in black DLC or bronze case are available at a price of 2,200 euros or 2,100 Swiss francs and 2,650 euros or 2,500 Swiss francs, with the latter model limited to 888 pieces.
More detailed information can be found on the website www.mauricelacroix.com.