Maurice Lacroix Masterpiece Gravity “Sincere Limited Edition”. Features the Manufacture Calibre ML230 automatic movement with the complete silicium assortment (ML10 assortment and oscillator) housed in a 43mm steel case with “box” sapphire crystal. Beating at 18,000 vibrations per hour (2.5 Hertz) and with 50 hours of power reserve when fully wound. Limited to 12 pieces. Priced at SGD15,200 inclusive of tax. Photo: © Maurice Lacroix. Special thanks to Juliana Tan and Victoria Ang.
First introduced in 2014 at the Baselworld watch fair, the Maurice Lacroix Masterpiece Gravity is the brand’s very first timepiece to feature a full silicium assortment. Two versions were launched in 2014, each limited to 250 pieces.
The term “assortment” in watch parlance, refers to the “complete set of things that belong to together”, according to Berner’s Illustrated Professional Dictionary of Horology I + II, adding that the French form of the word, assortiment, is also used by English watchmakers.
With regards to the Maurice Lacroix Gravity, it refers to the brand’s complete assortment made in silicon which includes the balance staff, pallet lever, escapement wheel and escapement wheel pinion.
Credit for the development and production for these silicon movement components go to Michel Vermot, head of movement construction at Maurice Lacroix, and the brand’s collaboration with Haute Ecole Arc which is based in Le Locle, Switzerland.
Silicon is a glass-like material that is self-lubricating and three times lighter than steel. It is a material chosen for the movement components because its low mass means less energy will be used and such parts are more accurate to produce. Moreover, silicon components do not require regular lubrication.
In 2015, the story of the Masterpiece Gravity continues, with three new versions launched at BaselWorld: the No. 2 Gravity “40th Anniversary” Limited Edition in a PowerLite alloy case (limited to 250 pieces), the No. 1 Gravity Limited Edition in stainless steel (limited to 40 pieces) and the No. 3 Gravity Limited Edition in an anthracite PVD case (limited to 250 pieces).
All Maurice Lacroix Masterpiece Gravity timepieces are limited editions. How many versions are there? Well, thus far, there are six; two versions were launched in 2014 and another three variants were introduced in 2015. Then there is the one-of-a-kind Masterpiece Gravity “Only Watch 2015”.
Total production of all the variants combined will be 1,041, if everything runs smoothly and all are produced.
There is actually another version – the Masterpiece Gravity “Sincere Limited Edition” and it is even rarer than those introduced with the exception of the Gravity “Only Watch 2015”.
Why is it so rare? Well, simply because it is only limited to 12 pieces, representing only 1.1% of the total number of Masterpiece Gravity watches (1,053 pieces – 1,041 plus 12 at the time of writing) that will now be produced.
This very rare and special piece officially goes on display (and sale, priced at SGD15,200) at specialist watch retailer, Sincere Fine Watches’ flagship Ngee Ann City boutique in Singapore from tomorrow.
The Masterpiece Gravity “Sincere Limited Edition” is part of the “100 Complications” showcase presented by Sincere Fine Watches.
This is in line with the vision of Kingston Chu, vice chairman and managing director of Sincere Watch Limited, to introduce their customers to a diverse group of brands offering the best and most unique complications.
The Masterpiece Gravity featuring the Manufacture Calibre ML230 automatic movement comes under the “Mavericks: Groundbreaking Movements” category.
“The Masterpiece Gravity movement is a breakthrough for Maurice Lacroix. It is a groundbreaking movement because of its silicium escapement,” notes Ong Ban, Chief Executive Officer of Sincere Watch Limited.
The spiral and balance wheel of the Calibre ML230 were produced by specialist component manufacturer Altokalpa which is related to Vaucher Manufacture Fleurier while the silicium escapement parts were made by Sigatec.
Like the Masterpiece No. 2 Gravity “40th Anniversary” Limited Edition, this “Sincere Limited Edition” features two blue-lacquered dials.
What is genuinely pleasant is the fact that the pricing is similar to the other three Gravity timepieces that have been launched in 2015, despite the extreme rarity of the Masterpiece Gravity “Sincere Limited Edition”.
Kudos to DKSH South East Asia and Maurice Lacroix for the attractive pricing strategy.
Other related articles on timewerke.com that may be of interest:
i. Maurice Lacroix Masterpiece Gravity: Gravitated towards Gravity
ii. Maurice Lacroix Masterpiece Gravity “Only Watch 2015”: Well-priced