Maurice de Mauriac

Maurice de Mauriac has just introduced a 3-hand version of their popular Chronograph Modern. It has applied Arabic numeral hour markers that go from (05 to 60), just like on the chronograph - a distinctive dial design made popular by World War II pilot watches. Functions include hours, minutes, central seconds and day/date at 3 o'clock. Available in 42 mm or 45 mm satin finished stainless steel cases, with flat or domed sapphire crystal (with double anti-glare treatment). Shown with textile strap. The movement is a self-winding chronometer grade ETA 2836-2 that is visible through a clear caseback.

This is the Maurice de Mauriac Zurich Chronograph Modern in a 42 mm x 14 mm satin brushed finish titanium case. We previously reviewed a 45 mm diameter black DLC (Diamond Like Carbon) case variant here. The majority of Maurice de Mauriac timepieces come with beautiful satin brushed cases which are - both harder to finish than a typical brushed finish and easier to scratch. Nevertheless, I highly recommend the satin finish as it looks great even with scratches.

During my last trip to Switzerland, I visited my favorite Zurich watch boutique, Maurice de Mauriac. Founded by Daniel Dreifuss over a decade ago, Maurice de Mauriac is a watchmaker, which operates out of a combined atelier (assembly workshop) and retail store. This unconventional format, offers customers a unique bespoke purchase experience.

While in Switzerland attending Baselworld last week, I was able to preview a number of very cool prototype wristwatches. Unfortunately, as of right now, I am only able communicate about one - the Maurice de Mauriac 300 M Diver. Shown above in a 45 mm stainless steel case coated with black PVD, the Mauriac 300 M Diver is powered by a top grade Valjoux 7750. It features locking pushers, screwed-in crown and screwed-in caseback for water-resistance of 300 meters. It will be available for purchase in the near future - in a variety of materials, finishes and dial designs. Like all Maurice de Mauriac pieces, it is all Swiss, assembled and precision adjusted in Zurich, Switzerland. Editor's Note: This is a "prototype" - not available for sale - it will eventually meet the minimum ISO 6425 standards that require

During a recent visit to the Maurice de Maurice, Zurich based boutique, workshop and headquarters, I was so impressed by the styling, value and quality of Maurice de Mauriac timepieces, that I had to have one. So, I ordered one, with my exact dial, bezel, case and strap preferences. Two weeks later, my watch arrived at my house in Denver, Colorado.

Maurice de Mauriac Storefront in Zurich Financial District During my annual trip to Switzerland, to attend the Baselworld show, I like to visit some of the important Swiss watchmakers who do not exhibit in Basel. I started doing this last year, when I toured the renowned Vallée de Joux manufacture Audemars Piguet, in Le Brassus. This year I actually setup two separate watchmaker trips, one to another famous Vallée de Joux manufacture, Jaeger-LeCoultre, in La Sentier (photos coming soon). The other, to Zurich's only watchmaker - Maurice de Mauriac.