Horologii

Maurice Lacroix Aikon Tide Benzilla Special Edition Watch Review

Maurice Lacroix extends its Aikon Tide collection, a series which see’s plastic bottles rescued from the sea and turned into colorful timepieces. This time, the Swiss watch manufacturer calls in the help of Thai artist and Maurice Lacroix brand ambassador Benzilla who has created a unique piece of artwork to be placed at the centre of the new Maurice Lacroix Aikon Tide Benzilla Special Edition watch.

Benzilla, whose real name is Parinya Sirisinsuk, found his passion for street art within skateboarding culture. At a young age, he surrounded himself with the art and music associated with skating and felt compelled to pick up a paint can and try his own at street art. His creations are bright, energetic and colorful and often famously depict a three-eyed alien named ‘Loook’. The character has been reinterpreted endlessly in different examples of street art, sculptures, television sets and even a Loook-themed playset in the center of a night market in Bangkok’s Chonburi neighborhood. Now the figure makes its way onto its very first timepiece with the Maurice Lacroix Aikon Tide Benzilla Special Edition decorated with the three-eye alien on its dial.

For me, Maurice Lacroix is young, design-orientated and limitless! I like their vision and the message they convey: ‘Success is a journey, not a destination’. I’m honored to be part of the brand’s circle of friends”. – Benzilla

Like all of Benzilla’s art, the Maurice Lacroix Aikon Tide Benzilla watch exploits colour to the max using a combination of eye-popping shades across the entire design. While the dial presents a colorful depiction of ‘Loook’, the case, bezel, crown, lugs and buckle are crafted from equally vibrant #tide upcycled plastic. The inaugural Maurice Lacroix Aikon Tide watch collection was launched earlier this year and marked a new environmentally chapter for the brand as they announced a partnership with Tide Ocean SA, a Basel-based firm specializing in the upcycling of ocean plastics. Together, they create watch cases engineered from ocean-bound upcycled plastic. Each watch and the box it comes in makes use of 17 plastic bottles, all of which would have otherwise found a fate at the bottom of the ocean.

The Maurice Lacroix Aikon Tide Benzilla watch utilizes upcycled plastic for most of the design including a vibrant orange-coloured case, a jet black bezel and crown and the orange pin buckle which closes the nautical turquoise blue rubber strap. As part of the Aikon family, the special edition features all the characteristics you’d expect including flat sapphire crystal glass, a six prong bezel and integrated architecture. The case measures in at 40mm and promises a 100 metre water resistant rating. Within, a standard Swiss quartz movement guarantees the precision of the blackened Superluminova-coated hour and minute hands, sleek seconds hand and date window at 3 o’clock.

If you’d like to learn more about the new Maurice Lacroix Aikon Tide Benzilla watch and get your hands on one of the special edition pieces for yourself, head over to the Jura Watches website here. Alternatively, get in touch with the team by calling 01335 453453 or send us a message at help@jurawatches.co.uk.

Specifications:

  • Case Size: 40mm
  • Case Material: Upcycled ocean bound plastic in orange
  • Bezel: Fixed, upcycled plastic in black
  • Glass: Flat sapphire crystal
  • Crown: Screw in
  • Case Back: Closed
  • Water Resistance: 100 metres
  • Movement: Quartz
  • Functions: Hours, minutes, seconds, date
  • Dial: Artwork created by Benzilla, depicting “Loook” with Superluminova hour and minutes
  • Strap: Blue rubber
  • Buckle: Pin
  • Limited: No
  • RRP: £675