Introduction

The Maurice Lacroix AIKON Automatic Skeleton distills the integrated-bracelet sports watch into a study of mechanical transparency. Rather than chasing haute horlogerie prices, it offers a legitimate openworked dial and a case that wears with everyday confidence. This is not a watch for those who equate skeletonization with fragility; it is a tool watch that happens to reveal its engine.

The AIKON collection has always balanced industrial design with accessible luxury. In skeleton form, the familiar six-screw bezel and integrated bracelet gain a new focal point: the movement itself. Here, the ML115 caliber is not merely visible but becomes the dial. The result is a watch that reads as modern, architectural, and deliberately uncluttered.

For the collector who admires the look of a Royal Oak or Laureato skeleton but finds their six-figure price tags absurd, the AIKON Skeleton presents a compelling alternative. It asks a simple question: why shouldn't an openworked movement be worn daily, without fear of scratching a museum piece?

Manufacture History

Maurice Lacroix was founded in 1975 in Saignelégier, Switzerland, and built its reputation on value-driven complications and bold case design. The AIKON, launched in 2016, revived the integrated-bracelet sports watch formula with a democratic price point. The Skeleton variant showcases the brand's in-house finishing capability on a modified Sellita base. Rather than attempting to compete with haute horlogerie manufacture movements, Maurice Lacroix focuses on execution: the skeletonization is clean, symmetrical, and executed with a level of polish that belies the watch's price.

Movement

The ML115 is a Sellita SW200-1 base that Maurice Lacroix skeletonizes and finishes in-house. Bridges are opened, beveled, and rhodium-plated; the rotor is openworked to match. Not a manufacture movement, but the transformation is far more than a simple cutout. The result is a caliber that looks bespoke from the dial side while retaining the serviceability and reliability of a proven workhorse.

Specifications: automatic winding, 28,800 vibrations per hour, 26 jewels, 38 hours of power reserve. The movement is not chronometer-certified, and accuracy expectations should be set accordingly — typically -10 to +15 seconds per day out of the box, improvable with regulation. The openworked rotor allows a partial view of the winding mechanism from the caseback side, though the solid steel caseback with sapphire window is a thoughtful compromise between visual interest and practicality.

Case and Specifications

The case measures 39mm in diameter, 11mm thick, with a lug-to-lug of 45.5mm. Water resistance is 100 meters, which is genuinely useful for daily wear. The stainless steel case is brushed on the flanks with polished bevels, and the six-screw bezel gives the AIKON its signature industrial look. The sapphire crystal is flat and slightly recessed, protecting the openworked dial without adding unnecessary height.

The integrated bracelet tapers from 21mm at the lugs to 18mm at the clasp, and the deployant clasp is secure and comfortable. Lume is Super-LumiNova on the hands and applied indices, adequate for low-light legibility but not a highlight. The overall build quality is excellent for the price, with tight tolerances and no sharp edges.

Wrist Feel

The AIKON Skeleton wears with a balance that belies its integrated architecture. At 39mm wide and 11mm thick, it sits low on the wrist and slides under a cuff without protest. The integrated bracelet distributes weight evenly, and on the wrist the watch feels substantial but never heavy; the openworked dial reduces perceived mass, while the solid caseback and bracelet keep the package grounded.

The deployant clasp is secure and unobtrusive, with no sharp edges on the bracelet links. For a skeleton watch, comfort is surprisingly conventional — this is a daily wearer first, a showpiece second.

Accuracy

Expect real-world accuracy in the range of -10 to +15 seconds per day from the unadjusted SW200-1 base. After a few weeks of settling, most examples run within -5 to +10 seconds daily. The watch is not chronometer-certified, but for a skeleton piece at this price, that is an acceptable compromise. Regulating the movement through an independent watchmaker can bring it closer to COSC levels if desired.

Occasions and Presence

The AIKON Skeleton is versatile enough for daily wear, sporty activities, and even dress occasions with the right strap. Its openworked dial reads as intentional and modern, not ostentatious. The 39mm size keeps it refined; the skeleton detail rewards a second glance rather than demanding one. Wrist presence is a 4 out of 5 — noticeable to those who look, but never loud.

Reference Variants

The primary reference is AI6007-SS002-030-1, with integrated stainless steel bracelet. A second variant, AI6007-SS002-030-2, pairs the same steel case with a black rubber strap and steel end links, offering a sportier, lighter wear and a slightly lower entry price. Both share the same skeletonized dial and ML115 movement.

Family and Alternatives

Within the AIKON family, the Skeleton sits alongside the non-skeleton Automatic 42mm (AI6008) and 39mm (AI6006), as well as a chronograph. Other notable Maurice Lacroix models include the Masterpiece Gravity with its silicon escapement and the Pontos S Diver. Similar watches from other brands include the Tissot PRX Powermatic 80 (solid dial, no skeleton), the Zenith Defy Classic Skeleton (titanium, manufacture movement, higher price), and the Girard-Perregaux Laureato Skeleton (the high-end benchmark, priced ten times higher). Direct homages are rare, but the Cadisen C8220 offers an ultra-affordable integrated-bracelet skeleton for around $80, though build quality and finishing are far below the AIKON.

Investment and Service

The AIKON Skeleton has an MSRP of $3,550 on bracelet and $3,250 on rubber. Pre-owned examples typically sell between $2,200 and $2,800, reflecting a modest depreciation after purchase but good stability thereafter. There is no major auction history for this reference. Service interval is five years, with an approximate cost of $350 at an independent watchmaker; authorized service is available through Maurice Lacroix centers but not required. The Sellita base ensures parts availability and straightforward servicing.

Final Verdict

The Maurice Lacroix AIKON Automatic Skeleton is a confident answer to a question few brands dare ask: can an openworked watch be a true daily driver? It proves that skeletonization need not be reserved for glass-case display. The ML115 may not be a manufacture movement, but the execution is honest, legible, and surprisingly robust. For the collector who wants the look of a Laureato Skeleton without the anxiety, this is the watch to buy.