Aikon Chronograph 44mm

The Aikon Chronograph gives the sport-forward Aikon case a practical stopwatch function, sized up to 44mm to accommodate the movement. It is a no-nonsense tool watch with a clean dial and genuine water resistance, priced where Swiss chronographs start to make sense.

What it is

Maurice Lacroix launched the Aikon line in 2016 as a sport-leaning replacement for the Pontos S, aiming for a younger buyer with a more accessible price point. The chronograph variant followed in 2018, adding a column-wheel ETA 7753 base finished to ML specifications. Unlike the Aikon Automatic, which uses a true in-house movement, the chronograph relies on a supplied caliber from ETA, a distinction the brand does not emphasize in its marketing.

The 44mm case was chosen specifically to house the larger movement architecture, which sets it apart from the 42mm three-hand models. At 200m water resistance, the watch holds up to genuine sport use rather than being a dress piece with sport styling.

Buying notes

The ML134 is not an in-house caliber. Buyers attracted to Maurice Lacroix partly for its horological credibility should know the Aikon Automatic's claim to that credibility does not transfer here. The 44mm diameter is large, and buyers who have not tried the case on should do so before purchasing.

The chronograph pushers sit at 2 and 4 o'clock, which is standard for a 7753-based watch, but pushers at those positions can feel cramped on smaller wrists. The exhibition caseback shows the ETA architecture plainly, which is either a feature or a drawback depending on how you feel about outsourced ebauches. Pre-owned pricing for this reference is soft relative to retail, meaning buyers should not expect the watch to hold its value if sold within the first few years.

Market read

Pre-owned Aikon Chronographs trade well below retail, typically in the range of 60 to 70 percent of original asking price for lightly worn examples. The steel bracelet version is the most liquid variant. Given how much new stock the brand moves, grey market availability is consistent and the discount off retail is predictable rather than speculative.

Service expectations

The ML134 is an ETA 7753 derivative, which means service parts are widely available and most independent watchmakers familiar with Swiss lever escapements can service it without sending it to Maurice Lacroix. Manufacturer-recommended service intervals run around five years. The pusher seals should be replaced at each service if you use the watch in or near water.