Maurice Lacroix Buying Guide: Every Collection
Aikon, Pontos, Masterpiece and Mercury compared — with real pricing, resale data and honest advice on what you actually get for the money.
Price context: this guide includes indicative prices from its original publication period. They have not all been refreshed to current quotes. Use the linked primary sources for specifications and policies, and verify prices independently.
- Maurice Lacroix Aikon models range from ~$1,000 (quartz) to $7,700 (Mercury) with genuine Swiss movements throughout
- Pre-owned values drop 40–55% within three years on most references — buy for the watch, not the resale
- The Aikon Skeleton and Mercury hold value better than standard Aikon models, losing 30–40%
- At the Aikon’s price point the Tissot PRX and Longines Conquest offer stronger resale and brand recognition
Who Is Maurice Lacroix?
Maurice Lacroix was founded in 1975 in Saignelégier in the Swiss Jura, a region known for its watchmaking heritage. The brand positioned itself from the start as an accessible entry into genuine Swiss horology — serious movements and finishing at prices that undercut the luxury establishment.
For its first two decades Maurice Lacroix built its reputation on classically styled dress watches using ETA and later Sellita movements. The brand gained watch-enthusiast credibility in the 2000s by developing proprietary calibers: the ML manufacturing series. The ML106 (a monopusher chronograph), the ML156 (retrograde date) and eventually the ML225 (the Mercury’s patented time-memory module) showed that Maurice Lacroix could do more than rebrand commodity movements.
The 2016 launch of the Aikon changed the brand’s direction. Inspired by the 1990s Calypso diver, the Aikon’s integrated bracelet and angular case brought Maurice Lacroix into the same conversation as the Tissot PRX, Frederique Constant Highlife and even — at a stretch — the integrated-bracelet icons from Audemars Piguet and Patek Philippe. Today the Aikon represents the majority of Maurice Lacroix sales and is the model most buyers encounter first.
The Aikon Collection: Every Model Compared
The Aikon is Maurice Lacroix’s flagship and accounts for the vast majority of its visibility on forums like WatchUSeek and r/Watches. It comes in five distinct tiers, each with a different movement and price point.
Aikon Quartz ($1,000 – $1,200)
The entry point into the collection. A Swiss quartz movement in a 39mm or 42mm steel case with the signature six-arm integrated bracelet. At this price you’re paying primarily for design and build quality rather than horological complexity. The quartz Aikon competes directly with the Tissot PRX quartz ($375) and the Longines Conquest quartz ($1,025), where both alternatives offer stronger brand recognition.
Aikon Automatic ($1,595 – $1,795)
The sweet spot. The ML115 caliber, based on the Sellita SW200, delivers a 38-hour power reserve, hacking seconds and hand-winding. Available in 39mm and 42mm with a variety of dial colours. The 39mm model retails for approximately $1,795, while the pre-owned fair market value already sits around $1,598 — about an 11% discount from new even for recent examples with full box and papers.
Aikon Automatic Chronograph ($2,400 – $2,800)
The same integrated-bracelet design with a chronograph complication. Uses a Sellita-based movement with three subdials and a date window. Pre-owned fair market values range from $1,636 to $1,941 depending on dial variant and condition, representing a 30–35% drop from retail.
Aikon Skeleton ($3,450 – $4,200)
The Skeleton elevates the Aikon with the ML135 caliber, offering 26 jewels at 28,800 vph through an open-worked dial that exposes the movement’s bridges and balance wheel. Available in 39mm, 42mm and 45mm cases. At CHF 3,450 (approximately $3,800) this is where Maurice Lacroix starts to feel like genuine value — skeletonized Swiss movements at this price are rare. The Skeleton models are also the brand’s strongest resale performers, losing 30–40% rather than the typical 40–55%.
Aikon Mercury ($7,690)
The halo piece. The Mercury uses the in-house ML225 caliber with a patented time-memory module that lets the wearer measure elapsed time with a start/stop function using a single pusher integrated into the crown. At 44mm with a titanium case, it’s a substantial watch. The $7,690 price puts it in territory occupied by the Tudor Black Bay and Omega Seamaster 300M, where brand equity works against Maurice Lacroix.
| Model | Size | Movement | Retail | Pre-Owned |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aikon Quartz | 39–42mm | Swiss quartz | $1,000–$1,200 | $450–$650 |
| Aikon Automatic | 39–42mm | ML115 (SW200) | $1,595–$1,795 | $900–$1,200 |
| Aikon Auto Chrono | 44mm | ML112 (SW500) | $2,400–$2,800 | $1,200–$1,600 |
| Aikon Skeleton | 39–45mm | ML135 | $3,450–$4,200 | $2,200–$2,800 |
| Aikon Mercury | 44mm | ML225 (in-house) | $7,690 | $4,500–$5,500 |
Pontos and Masterpiece Collections
While the Aikon dominates the conversation, Maurice Lacroix still produces two other collections that cater to different tastes. Neither generates the same secondary-market liquidity as the Aikon, which matters if you ever plan to sell.
Pontos ($1,800 – $3,500)
The Pontos is Maurice Lacroix’s dress-watch line. Available with day-date, chronograph and GMT complications, it uses the same Sellita-based calibers as the Aikon Automatic but in a more traditional round case with lugs and a leather strap or separate bracelet. The Pontos Day Date at around $2,200 is the most popular variant. On the pre-owned market Pontos models trade for roughly 45–60% below their retail price, making them excellent value secondhand but poor investments from new.
Masterpiece ($3,000 – $12,000+)
The Masterpiece is where Maurice Lacroix demonstrates its mechanical ambitions. Models include the Masterpiece Skeleton with fully open-worked dials, the Masterpiece Moonphase and the Masterpiece Square Wheel — a jumping-hours complication with a distinctive square gear visible on the dial. These use Maurice Lacroix’s proprietary ML calibers rather than Sellita bases. The Masterpiece represents genuine horological ambition, but its secondary-market liquidity is thin. Expect 50–65% depreciation, and be prepared to wait for a buyer.
Pricing Across Every Collection
The table below maps the entire Maurice Lacroix range by retail price and typical pre-owned value. The pre-owned column reflects current asking prices on Chrono24 and eBay for examples in good condition with box and papers. Actual transaction prices will be 5–10% lower than asking prices.
| Collection | Retail Range | Pre-Owned Range | Typical Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aikon Quartz | $1,000–$1,200 | $450–$650 | 45–55% |
| Aikon Automatic | $1,595–$1,795 | $900–$1,200 | 40–45% |
| Aikon Chrono | $2,400–$2,800 | $1,200–$1,600 | 40–50% |
| Aikon Skeleton | $3,450–$4,200 | $2,200–$2,800 | 30–40% |
| Aikon Mercury | $7,690 | $4,500–$5,500 | 30–40% |
| Pontos | $1,800–$3,500 | $700–$1,400 | 50–60% |
| Masterpiece | $3,000–$12,000+ | $1,200–$5,000 | 50–65% |
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Resale Value: The Honest Numbers
There is no gentle way to put this: Maurice Lacroix watches depreciate heavily. The typical Aikon Automatic loses 40–55% of its retail price within three years on the secondary market. That is not unusual for watches in the $1,500–$3,000 range — most brands at this tier depreciate similarly — but it matters if you’re comparing against a Tissot PRX that you bought for half the price.
The exceptions are the Aikon Skeleton and Aikon Mercury. Both hold up better, losing closer to 30–40% of retail. The Skeleton benefits from its genuinely compelling value proposition: there is no other skeletonized Swiss automatic with an integrated bracelet at this price point. The Mercury benefits from scarcity and its in-house movement, though low production numbers also mean fewer comps and longer selling times.
Box and papers matter more than usual. Across the Maurice Lacroix range, complete sets with original box, warranty card and hang tags command an 8–12% premium over watch-only sales. Given the already steep depreciation, the paperwork represents a significant percentage of your recovery.
The practical takeaway: if you buy a Maurice Lacroix at retail and sell it within three years, expect to recover roughly $700–$1,000 on a $1,795 Aikon Automatic, or $2,200–$2,800 on a $3,800 Skeleton. If you buy pre-owned, the depreciation curve flattens out significantly — a three-year-old Aikon Automatic bought at $1,000 will likely sell for $800–$900 two years later.
Maurice Lacroix vs the Competition
The Aikon’s integrated-bracelet design invites comparison with the best affordable watches at or near its price. Here’s how it stacks up against the three models buyers most often cross-shop.
vs Tissot PRX Powermatic 80 ($695)
The PRX costs less than half the Aikon Automatic and offers a longer power reserve (80 hours vs 38). Tissot’s Swatch Group backing gives it better retail distribution and stronger brand recognition. The Aikon wins on bracelet complexity and case finishing, but the PRX is the better value per dollar by almost every measure.
vs Longines Conquest ($1,025 – $1,575)
The Conquest offers ETA/Sellita movements in a more understated design. Longines’ heritage (founded 1832) gives it brand equity that Maurice Lacroix (founded 1975) cannot match. Pre-owned Longines also holds up better, losing roughly 30–40% vs the Aikon’s 40–55%. The Conquest lacks the integrated bracelet, which is the Aikon’s main design differentiator.
vs Hamilton Jazzmaster ($795 – $1,395)
Hamilton targets a different aesthetic — classic American styling rather than integrated-bracelet sports luxury. The H-10 and H-40 calibers offer 80-hour power reserves that embarrass the Aikon’s 38 hours. Hamilton’s pre-owned market is deeper and more liquid. The Aikon only wins if you specifically want that integrated-bracelet look.
vs Frederique Constant Highlife ($1,295 – $2,695)
The closest apples-to-apples comparison. The Highlife also has an integrated bracelet and a Swiss automatic movement. Frederique Constant’s FC-303 caliber offers 38 hours of power reserve — identical to the Aikon. The choice comes down to design preference: the Highlife has rounder, softer lines while the Aikon is more angular and bold.
Which Model to Buy at Each Budget
Under $1,200: Buy Pre-Owned
Aikon Automatic 39mm (pre-owned)
At $900–$1,200 pre-owned you get the same ML115 movement and integrated bracelet that costs $1,795 new, with the steepest depreciation already behind you.
$1,500 – $2,000: The Sweet Spot
Aikon Automatic 39mm (new) — $1,795
If you want new with warranty, this is the model to buy. The 39mm size works on most wrists and the ML115 movement is proven and easy to service.
$2,500 – $4,000: Skeleton Territory
Aikon Skeleton 39mm — $3,450
This is the model that actually justifies picking Maurice Lacroix over a Tissot or Hamilton. No competitor offers a skeletonized integrated-bracelet watch at this price.
$5,000+: Consider Alternatives
Aikon Mercury — $7,690
The Mercury is genuinely impressive, but at this price a Tudor Black Bay or Omega Seamaster offers far stronger brand equity and resale value. Only buy the Mercury if the time-memory complication specifically appeals to you.
Buying Tips and Where to Shop
1. Buy Pre-Owned First
Given the steep depreciation curve, buying a two-year-old Aikon at 40–50% off retail is often smarter than buying new. Check Chrono24, eBay (with Authenticity Guarantee for watches over $2,000) and WatchBox for verified pre-owned examples.
2. Keep Box and Papers
The 8–12% premium for complete sets means your warranty card and original box could be worth $100–$200 at resale. Store them safely from day one.
3. Try It On Before Committing
The Aikon’s integrated bracelet means you cannot swap straps without aftermarket adapters. The 39mm wears closer to 41mm because of the bracelet’s visual width. Visit an authorized dealer or a store that stocks Maurice Lacroix to check the wrist presence before ordering online.
4. Scan Before You Buy
Use Grailr’s free scanner to photograph any listing and get an indicative identification and price estimate. Check the result against the seller documentation and an independent inspection.
5. Skip the Quartz Unless You Love the Design
The Aikon quartz at $1,000+ competes against automatic watches from Tissot and Orient that offer more horological substance for less money. If you want a quartz integrated-bracelet watch, the Tissot PRX quartz at $375 is a better deal.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Maurice Lacroix a good watch brand?
Maurice Lacroix is a respected Swiss brand founded in 1975. Its Aikon line uses quality Sellita-based movements and offers genuine Swiss watchmaking from around $1,000 to $7,700. However, pre-owned values drop 40-55% within three years, so buy it for the watch, not the investment.
What movement does the Maurice Lacroix Aikon use?
The Aikon Automatic uses the ML115 caliber based on a Sellita SW200 with a 38-hour power reserve. The Skeleton uses the ML135 with 26 jewels at 28,800 vph. The Mercury uses the in-house ML225 with a patented time memory module.
Does Maurice Lacroix hold its value?
Most Maurice Lacroix watches lose 40-55% of their retail price within three years on the secondary market. Skeleton variants and the Mercury hold up better, losing closer to 30-40%. Box and papers add about 8-12% to resale value.
What is the cheapest Maurice Lacroix watch?
The Aikon quartz models start at around $1,000-$1,200 retail. The cheapest automatic is the Aikon Automatic 39mm at approximately $1,795 retail, though pre-owned examples trade for around $1,000-$1,200.
Is the Maurice Lacroix Aikon better than a Tissot PRX?
The Aikon Automatic at $1,795 and the Tissot PRX Powermatic 80 at $695 target different buyers. The PRX offers better value per dollar with an 80-hour power reserve, while the Aikon has a more complex integrated bracelet and slightly higher finishing. The PRX holds its resale value better percentage-wise.
Where is Maurice Lacroix based?
Maurice Lacroix is headquartered in Saignelegier in the Swiss Jura. The brand was founded in 1975 and produces watches using both third-party Sellita movements and proprietary in-house calibers for its higher-end lines.
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The Bottom Line
Maurice Lacroix makes genuinely well-built Swiss watches at accessible prices. The Aikon Skeleton is its standout — a skeletonized automatic with an integrated bracelet for under $4,000 is a proposition no direct competitor matches. But the depreciation across the range is real, and at the Aikon Automatic’s $1,795 retail price you should seriously consider a Tissot PRX or Longines Conquest that offers more brand equity for less money. The best way to buy Maurice Lacroix is pre-owned: let someone else absorb the 40–55% hit, pick up a two-year-old example at half price, and enjoy genuine Swiss watchmaking without the buyer’s remorse.
Considering a Maurice Lacroix?
Grailr uses a photo to suggest a watch identity and an indicative price estimate, with active eBay listings where available. Check the exact reference and condition independently; a photo scan cannot authenticate a watch.
Scan a Watch NowSources and price context
- Maurice Lacroix official brand page — Brand history, Saignelégier headquarters and manufacturing details.
- Chrono24 Maurice Lacroix listings — Pre-owned asking prices used for secondary-market estimates in this guide.
These primary sources support the specific history, specification or policy points noted above. Prices and resale percentages elsewhere in this guide are indicative editorial figures, not a verified transaction dataset or guaranteed returns. Confirm the exact reference, region, condition and current quote before buying; asking prices are not completed-sale prices.