Okay, that’s the last one for today. Also featuring a moon-phase complication the 2010 Maurice Lacroix Pontos Decentrique Phases de Lune (ref. PT6218-TT031-330) speaks a completely different design language with a strong German accent. Just like the other models in the Decentrique collection, the watch sports an off-centered main dial moved in the north-west direction. Still, what is particularly interesting about this one is the time display interface.

As you can see, the Pontos Decentrique Phases de Lune has only one hand that displays minutes. Hours, date, and moon-phase indicators are three exquisitely decorated disks.

This technical marvel has its price, though.

The patent-pending ML122 in-house caliber (well, I must notice here that Maurice Lacroix is rather vague in its press release and it is not completely clear whether the ML 122 was designed from scratch and fully assembled on their production facilities or is simply a mass-produced base caliber bought from a third party and equipped with their own complication module*) takes so much space that Maurice Lacroix had to pack it inside a tremendously large (for a dress watch) 45-millimeter case.

However, the latter is made of brushed titanium and is almost as light as a swan’s feather, so it will feel comfortable on your wrist as long as you will get used to its impressive dimensions.

Together with a black, sand-blasted three-dimensional dial, this model looks stunning.

The only thing that spoils the impression is, perhaps, the back.

First, the mechanism that lurks inside the massive stainless steel case is just obviously too small with the difference in sizes even stronger exaggerated by the huge rear bezel.

Second, is that the movement itself doesn’t live up to the promise of the dial: compared to the elaborated finish of the gorgeous face, the mechanism is, well, a little bit too understated to my taste with all decor limited to partly open-worked and re-branded oscillating weight. Frankly, the finish on this cal. ML 122 looks sort of disappointing for a watch that costs more than some cars.

I wonder, how much Maurice Lacroix will ask for this piece**.

WWR Verdict

Originality 5/5
Build Quality: 5/5
Usability: 4/5
Overall Legibility: 4/5
Nighttime Legibility: 1/5
Value for Money: 4/5
Overall Rating: 4/5

* UPDATE ON THE CALIBER: It looks like the “patent-pending” part of the mechanism is just the -otherwise spectacular- add-on module, while the tractor movement is the Sellita SW200 ebauche: a mass-produced mechanism that is supposed to compete with ETA 2824 movement. Well, the cal. ML122 still has great potential since the SW200 enjoys a reputation of a well-built and reliable caliber and it’s sort of difficult to make a bad add-on module if you know what you are doing (and Maurice Lacroix has enough cash to get it properly designed.)

** UPDATE ON THE PRICING: Okay, we now know the official pricing. According to Maurice Lacroix, the MSRP of the Pontos Decentrique Phases de Lune is set at $8100, which makes it expensive, but still reasonably priced considering its titanium case and the unique date presentation.

Photos: Maurice Lacroix

Maurice Lacroix Pontos Decentrique Phases de Lune (PT6218-TT031-330) specification

Price: $8100 (MSRP)
Movement: ML caliber 122, in-house, automatic, 28,800 vph, Swiss Made
Complications: Date, moon phase, digital hour
Power reserve: 46 hours
Case: Brushed titanium
Shape: Round
Transparent back: Yes, sapphire glass
Size: 45.00 mm
Dial: Black, 3D
Hands: Brushed titanium
Strap: Black leather
Crystal: Sapphire