Maurice Lacroix Memoire 1 - Secret of Mechanical Memory

The Memoire 1 recently given birth in the 'Atelier de Maurice Lacroix' has incorporated a remarkable number of world firsts. Above all, the Maurice Lacroix creation is destined to become the first timepiece providing a mechanical memory function.

Drop a glance at the Memoire 1 and you will be caught by a whirlwind of emotions - the exceptional Grandes Complications watch demonstrates the powerful and unique visual appearance. It is characterized by the harmony of the pure and elegant design blending mirror-polished components with fine-brushed surfaces to smartly unite the different levels of the case and dial.

The creators of the Memoire 1 endowed it with elegant design and exceptional functions. The timepiece united eye-catching styling with supreme readability and ease of use. The innovative mechanism allows the watch's wearer to benefit from its technical peculiarities.

The circular case of the Maurice Lacroix Memoire 1, crafted in white gold, reveals a unique and entirely new look. Its construction features several different levels. The screw-fitted bezel with a laterally mounted sapphire crystal provided with anti-reflective coating allows true watch aficionados to admire the movement of the seconds hand linked to the minutes. The timepiece has incorporated an innovative mode selection button that is integrated in the crown at 3 o'clock.

The dial of the Memoire 1 also spotlights a number of innovative features. Its multi-level construction creates perfect readability of its individual displays. The dial also features the skeleton section with an aperture at 6 o'clock that displays the movement behind and the memory mechanism for the seconds. The date display is worth special attention - it is based on the uniquely inclined disc, requiring a considerable amount of space, but makes the date to be seen at first glance.

The hours disc is one more noteworthy world first of the Maurice Lacroix Memoire 1. The designers of this transparent disc conducted detailed tests and decided not to make it from sapphire as it does not provide the necessary density and is too weak for this particular application. The brand's specialists had to find a different solution. Finally, they selected a mineral-based material that has already been successfully applied in pioneering industries, including the automobile branch and mobile phones' production. The material was given a special treatment to guarantee its great hardness and sufficient flexibility.

The hands of the Memoire 1 hold another surprise. The seconds hand is blued and mounted at the outer edge on the minutes ring, while the minutes hand is covered a white luminous coating demonstrating a blue radiance in the darkness. A skeleton hand at 3 o'clock marks the selected mode.

How does the mechanical memory function of the Memoire 1 work? When you press the button integrated into the crown, the mode switches from "Time" to "Chrono". The watch's hands and the hours disc instantly change their positions. If their previous function was showing the current time, they are now responsible for measuring time intervals.

When you press the button once again, the hands and the disk are back at their positions ready for time-telling. Even when the chronograph is switched on, it is still possible to shift back and forth between the modes, maintaining the information provided by one or the other function.

Simply speaking, the Memoire 1 is able to show elapsed time while 'remembering' the current time. One touch of a button makes the watch use the same two hands and the disc for showing the current time while 'memorizing' the elapsed time recorded by its chronograph. The memory function is a groundbreaking development as this new mechanical complication has never been developed before.

The memory function of the Memoire 1 is provided by the ML 128 manufacture movement that made possible the described-above one-of-a-kind connection between the time chronograph indications. The highly complex caliber is composed of 537 components for which Maurice Lacroix has submitted patent applications.

The Memoire 1 is coupled with the superb strap, fully integral with the watch case with help of a hinge system. It is produced from matte-finished alligator leather and fitted with a white gold buckle.

The Maurice Lacroix Memoire 1 will reveal all its secrets at Baselworld 2008.