The concept of pairing high-end aesthetics with more reasonable prices has been a driving philosophy behind Maurice Lacroix’s lineup for many years. While this is most readily evident in core collections like the Aikon, this line of thinking runs right up to the top of the brand’s range with its Masterpiece collection. The latest entry into the Masterpiece line is no exception, offering a haute horlogerie look for a sub-$10,000 price, with unique finishing, advanced materials, and a complex in-house skeleton movement. The newly updated Maurice Lacroix Masterpiece Gravity is an impressively appointed showcase of the marque’s capabilities, with a cleaner, more classical look than previous entries and a wealth of refined details.

Measuring in at 43mm, the stainless steel case of the new Maurice Lacroix Masterpiece Gravity might stray a bit toward the oversized side of the spectrum, but the case shape itself follows the same elemental pattern as previous Masterpiece Gravity entries. There are several pleasing visual details here in images, including a polished chamfer atop the downturned lugs and a nicely curving mid-case profile. However, Maurice Lacroix aims for the case to act more as a frame for the more ornate elements of the movement and skeleton dial rather than as a focal point itself, and the narrow polished bezel reinforces this line of thought by taking up as little visual real estate as possible. While this is clearly a design with no sporting pretensions, it is worth noting that Maurice Lacroix rates the case of the new Masterpiece Gravity for only 50 meters of water resistance.

Compared to its predecessors, the skeleton dial of the new Maurice Lacroix Masterpiece Gravity offers a look that is at once cleaner and more classically ornate. While the basic layout is carried over from earlier versions, nearly every visual element is new or substantially refinished. The main timekeeping subdial at 1 o’clock is a prime example of this new stylistic direction, deleting the outer minutes track entirely and instead allowing the outer edge of the subdial to curve downward for a traditional domed look. This touch both adds optical depth to an already multi-layered design, and gives the slender printed Roman numerals a surface to drape over dramatically. The short stylized alpha hands of the original Masterpiece Gravity are plated with yellow gold here, offering a classically luxe touch above the silver sunburst subdial finish. The small seconds subdial immediately beneath also takes on a new classical look, with a graphite gray sunburst finish topped by a railroad seconds track. Outside of these off-center subdials, everything underneath the crystal is part of the movement. The most striking feature is the exposed main plate, which is brightly finished with a unique brushed fish scale guilloché pattern known as Vagues du Jura. The rest of the bridges sit on a lower visual layer, and feature a clean and even blasted finish. The oversized balance wheel at 8 o’clock forms a natural visual counterweight to the main subdial, oscillating at a steady 18,000 bph beat rate and sporting an elegantly tapering adjustment needle. At 7 o’clock, the silicium escapement makes up for its small size with a vibrant purple finish, drawing attention to this high-tech component in initial images.

The rear side of the in-house ML 230 automatic movement inside the new Maurice Lacroix Masterpiece Gravity is likewise intricately decorated, featuring rhodium plating and Côtes de Genève across the bridges (unfortunately, the brand was unable to provide an image from this angle by press time). Beyond the material benefits of the silicium escapement, including light weight, no lubrication, and a nearly frictionless surface, the ML 230 offers decent performance. Power reserve stands at 50 hours with a steady 18,000 bph beat rate. Maurice Lacroix pairs the new Masterpiece Gravity with an alligator pattern calf leather strap in mahogany brown, featuring the brand’s signature embedded “M” emblem in gold.

With a clean, traditional look, bespoke finishing, and advanced manufacture components, the new Maurice Lacroix Masterpiece Gravity is perhaps the most complete package ever offered under the Masterpiece banner. The new Maurice Lacroix Masterpiece Gravity is available now through authorized dealers at an MSRP of $9,900. For more details, please visit the brand’s website.