At the Geneva Watch Days, Maurice Lacroix unveiled several new models in the Pontos collection, including a selection of chronographs and a day-date in khaki. We took a trip to Banbury in the UK, where Mahindra Racing has its headquarters, to meet the newest members of the family.
Maurice Lacroix and Mahindra Racing
Mahindra Racing was founded in India in 1993, and began competing on the Formula E electric vehicle circuit in 2013. Given its status as one of the greenest racing stables in the world, it was an easy decision to team up with Maurice Lacroix, a watchmaker that keeps sustainable development front and centre of its activities. Sustainability was the watchword for the launch of the Aikon #tide earlier this year, featuring a bezel, case, caseback, crown and clasp made from 17 plastic bottles recovered from the ocean. In terms of the automotive partnership, last year Maurice Lacroix released a number of Mahindra Formula E limited editions. The constant pursuit of performance is one of the shared values that brought the two companies together in 2021.
This summer, the spotlight is on another collection: Pontos. And what could be more fitting than to launch the new chronographs – designed to measure short time intervals – with a racing team.
Pontos S Chronograph
I got to experience what it’s like to be behind the wheel of a Formula E vehicle thanks to a simulator. The new Pontos S Chronograph proved to be extremely useful, enabling me to calculate the time it took to complete each lap of the (virtual) circuit. As the lap counter ticked up I noticed a slight improvement in my performance, but I must admit I was constantly distracted by the instrument on my wrist.
The Pontos collection has undergone several aesthetic modifications since its launch in 2000. The Pontos S was unveiled in 2012, and Arabic numerals made their appearance in 2020. This year, the bezel has been given a facelift, and is now in scratchproof ceramic. Available with a white, silvered or blue dial, this 43mm model is the perfect combination of sport and elegance. Its geometrical styling, enhanced by the two counters visible at first glance, hides a very useful purpose. While most chronographs have three counters visible on the dial (one small seconds dial and two subdials for chronograph hours and minutes), here we have only two, because the small seconds at 9 o’clock (connected to the time display) blends into the dial. This novel layout is extremely practical, because it provides a clear differentiation between the time readouts and the chronograph functions. Given the precision required for timekeeping, this subtle feature that makes the chronograph functions easier to read is very welcome. The Pontos S is available with a steel bracelet or nylon strap (blue or grey depending on the dial) with a quick-change system. Sporty and chic at the same time, once this automatic watch is on your wrist you won’t want to take it off, because it’s so useful throughout the day.
Pontos Day Date
Maurice Lacroix has also launched a new automatic Pontos Day Date with an ergonomic 41mm case, this time in khaki. Not only is this a colour I particularly love, it’s also a judicious choice. Khaki makes the most of the ambient light to show off the different textures, finishes and layers of the timepiece, highlighting the technical and aesthetic savoir-faire of the manufacture. You can safely avoid that bright green that seems to be everywhere these days.
