Maurice Lacroix 1975 Master Grand Date Retrograde: A New Mechanical Perspective
Maurice Lacroix’s fascination with inventive time displays shows no signs of slowing. The latest entry in the brand’s 1975 series, the 1975 Master Grand Date Retrograde, brings together two of watchmaking’s most engaging complications in a visually striking and thoughtfully proportioned package.
For decades, Maurice Lacroix has explored retrograde indications, transforming a seldom used complication into a signature of the Manufacture. With this new model, the Jura based maison celebrates its 26th Masterpiece calibre, a movement that combines a retrograde day indicator with a grand date display.
The watch’s 42mm stainless steel case strikes a balance between dressy refinement and everyday wearability. Its alternating brushed and polished surfaces catch the light while keeping the design grounded in classic horology. The sapphire crystal glass box rising above the bezel enhances legibility and provides a compelling three dimensional view into the dial’s layers.
Light enters from every angle, illuminating the skeletonised display where the underside of the mainplate, treated with black rhodium and sandblasted for contrast, meets rhodium finished bridges above. Trapeze style hands with white SuperLumiNova glide over this mechanical tableau, clearly indicating hours and minutes.
At 12 o’clock, a bold grand date display uses two discs for tens and units, making the calendar instantly readable at a glance. Below, a retrograde day hand travels its arc from Monday through Sunday before snapping back to start the next weekly cycle, a charming kinetic flourish that brings the dial to life.
Inside, the manufacture ML302 automatic calibre powers the complications. Beating at 28,800 vibrations per hour and offering around 38 hours of power reserve, the movement is showcased through an exhibition caseback where traditional finishing, from Côtes de Genève to perlage and colimaçon, can be admired.
Credit - Maurice Lacroix
The piece is completed with a black calf leather strap featuring an alligator style texture and an embossed Maurice Lacroix logo. Thanks to the brand’s Easy Strap Exchange system, changing straps requires no tools, making it simple for wearers to tailor the watch’s look to any occasion.
The 1975 Master Grand Date Retrograde is not just another release, it is a technical and aesthetic statement. It reflects Maurice Lacroix’s ongoing commitment to elevating traditional watchmaking through inventive complications and compelling design.
