Maurice Lacroix Pontos

The Pontos collection has been a cornerstone of the Maurice Lacroix catalog for several years now. These stainless steel timepieces get their name from the ancient Greek sea god and son of Gaia, Pontus. Their designs focus on the bare essentials, with simple layouts enabling exceptional readability. In addition to three-hand watches, the Swiss company also offers more complicated models with a GMT function or moon phase display.

With cases between 41 and 43 mm in diameter, this series is geared toward men with an elegant fashion sense. While the current collection only features round timepieces, Maurice Lacroix previously produced rectangular editions known as Pontos Rectangulaire. The diamond-studded Pontos Rectangulaire Automatic Diamonds makes a particularly stunning women's watch. In 2016, the first models with a day-date display joined the Pontos collection. Regardless of which model you choose, most will come with applied line indices and a sunburst dial.

Swiss movement manufacturers ETA and Sellita supply the Pontos collection's automatic movements, which Maurice Lacroix then modifies and renames. The most common calibers are the ML112, which is based on the ETA Valjoux 7750, and the ML115, a modified Sellita SW200.

One of the Pontos collection's top models is the Phase de Lune Décentrique ref. PT6218-TT031-330. This extraordinary timepiece has a 45-mm titanium case and a depth rating of 50 m (5 bar, 164 ft). Perhaps the most fascinating detail is its off-center time display with a minute hand and hour disc between 8 and 12 o'clock. The moon phase display also occupies a somewhat unorthodox position between 2 and 5 o'clock. The automatic caliber ML122, a modified Sellita SW200, powers this watch. This movement ticks at a frequency of 28,800 alternations per hour (A/h) and has a 38-hour power reserve. Maurice Lacroix decorates the movement with a spiral pattern and Geneva stripes. A black alligator leather strap holds the Phase de Lune Décentrique securely on the wrist. Never-worn models change hands on Chrono24 for around 6,900 USD. Pre-owned pieces are relatively rare and demand about 6,100 USD.

Maurice Lacroix demonstrates their willingness to embrace extreme designs with the Pontos Full Black Rectangulaire Chronograph. This rectangular chronograph's case is completely coated in black ceramic, including its rectangular chronograph pushers. The dial, date display at 3 o'clock, and hands are also black. The hands' white tips and a few other white elements add a subtle contrast. Maurice Lacroix equips this timepiece with the caliber ML112. This modified Valjoux 7750 comes with central hour, minute, and chronograph seconds hands, as well as subdials at 6, 9, and 12 o'clock.

The watch is water-resistant to 50 m (5 bar, 164 ft) and features sapphire crystal on its front and back. This particular Pontos measures 38 x 43 mm and is worn on a black rubber strap with a pin buckle clasp. You can purchase a mint-condition timepiece for roughly 3,200 USD. Pre-owned models are less common and cost around 2,200 USD.

The Pontos collection is home to several 43-mm stainless steel chronographs. One example is the ref. PT6388-SS002-331-1. With a depth rating of 100 m (10 bar, 328 ft), this watch can join you for a few laps in the pool. It features an anthracite sunburst dial with contrasting rose gold plated hands, indices, and subdial rings. Rectangular push pieces control the automatic chronograph caliber ML112. Based on the ETA Valjoux 7500, this movement provides the Pontos Chronograph with central hour, minute, and chronograph seconds hands, as well as chronograph subdials at 6, 9, and 12 o'clock. Maurice Lacroix mounts the final watch on a stainless steel bracelet with a double folding clasp. Prices for this model range from 1,400 USD pre-owned to 2,500 USD new.

If you'd prefer a different color scheme and a leather strap, you may enjoy the ref. PT6388-SS001-430-1. This version pairs a blue dial with silver subdials and rhodium-plated hour, minute, and small seconds hands. On the other hand, the hands for the chronograph seconds, 30-minute counter, and 12-hour counter stand out in bright red. This watch comes on a black calf leather strap. It costs about 2,300 USD new and 1,300 USD pre-owned. Maurice Lacroix also manufactures a variant with a black dial. Each Pontos Chronograph is available on your choice of a stainless steel bracelet or leather strap.

Those who can do without a chronograph function and prefer the simple practicality of a day display should take a closer look at the Pontos models in the PT6538 series. Maurice Lacroix offers these watches with a blue, anthracite, black, or silver dial. No matter which dial color you choose, it will have a date display at 6 and day display at 12 o'clock. The caliber ML143 powers the Pontos Day Date's hands and displays and can go 38 hours without needing to be wound. It features Geneva stripes and a sunburst finish on its rotor. The movement sits within a 41-mm case with a depth rating of 100 m (10 bar, 328 ft).

The ref. PT6358-SS001-130-1 has a silver dial and brown calf leather strap. You can call this timepiece your own for about 1,500 USD. Maurice Lacroix lists the same watch for 1,750 USD. Fans of stainless steel bracelets should turn to ref. PT6358-SS002-130-1. It has a list price of 1,900 USD but sells for only 1,600 USD on Chrono24.