Maurice Lacroix Memoire 1

THE FIRST WATCH WITH A MEMORY

The Mémoire 1 chronograph – with the first memory function in a mechanical watch – is the new innovative project that first saw light of day in the “Atelier de Maurice Lacroix”. In this creative cell for research and development, the experience, expertise and proficiency of designers, engineers, constructors and watchmakers were gathered together. All here work towards a single goal: first to cast aside the base movement of Mémoire 1 and then develop the unique functions and mechanisms for it. This is how revolutionary ideas and concepts are generated, setting new benchmarks in the history of watchmaking. In other words, the “Atelier de Maurice Lacroix” has become a sort of “Pantheon” of innovation.

The ML 128 calibre of Mémoire 1 is constructed using 537 components. Some of these form the base movement, because even the best and most sophisticated complications need to be “fed with energy”. This is why a completely new movement has been created, step by step.

Even though the technical features of this movement are imposing, the design and the transparency of it are not of less importance. Because it wasn’t simply a matter of creating a new mechanical memory complication, the wearer had to be able to admire the workings and its constituent elements. This is why all the components and their positions in the heart of the watch have been conceived in both logical and aesthetic terms.

Thus the automatic winding system consists of an exocentric oscillating assembly, which permits to show the regulatory system to advantage. Thanks to its small dimensions, the rotor does not cover the surface entirely and therefore offers a view into the workings of the Mémoire 1 from the underside of the watch. So that it can perform the necessary rapid and efficient winding of the barrel, the rotor has been constructed in tungsten, which is a heavy material. But with an asymmetrical design and an unconventional shape, this rotor has been developed with the aim of achieving good, aesthetic integration in the special turret shape of the bridges of this movement.

The pure decoration and the innovative PVD surface treatment in tantalum colour bring the image of Maurice Lacroix to the fore. The specialists have pushed harmony as far as it can go and even went so far as to construct the screws on the bridges in a shape resembling that of the turret, so that the overall view forms a harmonious whole.

The rotor pivots on a ball bearing developed specifically for the requirements of this new calibre and works directly in the reverse, via the expedient of a “magic pawl” which optimizes all the wrist movements of the wearer. A bi-directional winding has been retained in order to allow maximum winding litheness and also guarantee maximum torque.

Wheels that turn backwards

The power supplied by the automatic mechanism is transmitted to a barrel which has a strong energy density and this allows a power reserve of more than four days. However, this movement works backwards! But why? A little more patience is required before the answer to this can be given...

Even if it is too soon to unveil the why, the how can be explained: the movement turns backwards from the barrel. This allows a spring to be compressed on the barrel arbor, which is exactly the same as in a traditional movement. However, this spring compresses from right to left instead of from left to right. The result is logical: the wheels which transfer the motor power to the regulator turn backwards.

Technology and aesthetics in perfect harmony

These wheels are endowed with the most modern profiles, which allow optimum performance to be achieved. It is the equivalent of transmitting the energy emitted by the barrel under optimum conditions. Furthermore, the special shape of the wheel arms, as well as their colour, also give a strong visual identification to Mémoire 1. Thus one can sense the philosophy that dominates this exceptional piece: logic married to technology and aesthetics. Finally, and as always for technical and aesthetic reasons, the stones which decorate the movement are white and transparent. Of course this is all part of the aesthetic philosophy of Mémoire 1, but it also makes it possible to visualize and control the intermeshing between pinions and crown wheels. Moreover, the watchmaker can clearly see the drop of oil placed in the hollow section of the stone in which the pinion pivots.

After having transmitted through the wheels, the energy is passed on to the escapement. This has been developed especially for this new calibre carrying the signature of Maurice Lacroix because it has been totally adapted to the needs of its complication, the veil over which will shortly be lifted. The creators wanted to show it, to have it valued, as if to give all their importance to the heart of a watch that beats without a break and marks the passage of time.

As for the balance, this has been given a core of transparent sapphire and a felloe of gold, which underlines the depth of the movement yet gives an airy impression to the whole regulation system. Finally, this mechanism is equipped with a new precision adjustment, different from the traditional swan’s neck design. This system, developed by Maurice Lacroix, will considerably simplify the work of the watchmaker when trying to obtain the best performance for the ML 128 calibre, which beats at 28,800 alternations per hour.

Furthermore, with an exceptional movement comes exceptional service. In order to be able to guarantee complete information for those wearing it, the movement of Mémoire 1 is supplied with a plate displaying service times, so the wearer can see when the next necessary service is due. Finally, this movement has an identity personalized by the signature of the watchmaker responsible for assembling the elements of this Grande Complication, which bears the signature of Maurice Lacroix.(Horomundi)

The limited edition chronograph Mémoire 1 by Maurice Lacroix is the first mechanical watch with a memory function – a completely new Grande Complication, which sets a new milestone in the history of the art of Swiss watchmaking. This creative research and development work is underscored by Maurice Lacroix through portraits of selected personalities, who also are responsible for pioneering achievements thanks to their innovation supremacy and persistence.

In the newly established “Atelier de Maurice Lacroix”, years of experience, profound expertise, and the capabilities of designers, engineers, constructors, and watchmakers come together. Revolutionary ideas and concepts are fashioned here that set new standards in the history of Maurice Lacroix and mechanical timekeeping. The Mémoire 1 is the first development of the “Atelier de Maurice Lacroix” and demonstrates the innovation potential for research and development of this creative cell: With its completely mechanical memory function, this exclusive chronograph is one of the most complicated watches ever developed!

Similar to the “Atelier de Maurice Lacroix” team members, Maurice Lacroix will show what people can achieve, develop and put in motion in their respective areas of expertise thanks to their creativity, innovation spirit and a large portion of determination in a series of portraits accompanying the launch of the Mémoire 1. The selection is limited to outstanding personalities, ideas and projects that have the same pioneering importance in their fields as the Mémoire 1 has for mechanical timekeeping, on the one hand, and are somehow related thematically with this watch, on the other. As no other timepiece before, the Mémoire 1 brings together in a unique way tradition and heritage (the Swiss art of watchmaking) with the highest level of innovation (new Grande Complication) and speed (chrono¬graph).

A Wales native, the first person portrayed on the homepage especially dedicated to the Mémoire 1 (www.memoire1.ch), perfectly matches these requirements: As a physicist at the European Organi¬zation for Nuclear Research (CERN) in Geneva, Lyndon Evans is responsible for conducting one of the most important scientific experiments ever. Using the Large Hadron Collider particle accelerator, he hopes to gain insight into the secrets behind the origins of our planet. There is practically nothing that is better suited as an outstanding example of a successful combination of tradition and the human mind, innovation and blazing new trails, along with pure speed.

Further exciting and interesting portraits will follow until the Mémoire 1 is presented to the general public for the first time in November 2007.

http://www.memoire1.ch