This Affordable Ceramic Sports Watch Gives Off Major Royal Oak Vibes

Get the integrated luxury sports watch look for a fraction of the price.

a closeup of a ceramic maurice lacroix sports watch

Published November 25, 2024

·

Every product is carefully selected by our editors. If you buy from a link, we may earn a commission. Learn more

The Audemars Piguet Royal Oak is the undisputed king of integrated luxury sports watches. Not only did the Gerald Genta-designed model invent the category back in 1972, but it also boasts an iconic design, impeccable finishing and top-notch quality courtesy of one of haute horology’s “Holy Trinity.”

However, due to the high cost associated with acquiring a Royal Oak — the watches retail for tens of thousands of dollars — many people are unable to add one to their collection.

ap gold dial royal oak jumbo watch — The Audemars Piguet ranks among the most iconic watches ever made.

As a result, a veritable cottage industry of affordable alternatives has popped up, making it relatively easy to pick up a quality integrated sports watch with Royal Oak vibes for one or two grand. By and large, these alts are made of steel or titanium, mimicking the best-known examples of the AP.

But what if you covet the look of the even rarer and pricier ceramic Royal Oak models? Well, now there’s an affordable alternative to those, too, thanks to Maurice Lacroix and its flagship Aikon.

a black ceramic maurice lacroix watch — The alluring Maurice Lacroix Aikon has added some impressive ceramic models to its lineup.

The Aikon & the Icon

The Aikon has long ranked among the best affordable Royal Oak alternatives on the market. In fact, it’s pretty easy to declare that’s the main purpose of the entire line.

The watch’s integrated, tapered five-link bracelet is nearly a dead-ringer for the AP’s trademark bracelet, while the thin baton markers and hands and textured tapisserie dial also recall the Royal Oak’s design cues.

Keeping the Aikon out of straight-up clone territory is its non-octagonal case and bezel, along with its use of polished claws on the bezel in place of exposed screws.

a maurice lacroix aikon watch — It’s quite easy to see why the Aikon draws frequent comparisons to the Royal Oak.

The Aikon has become Maurice Lacroix’s best-known watch in recent years, with models in steel, titanium and even plastic showcasing various dial colors, sizes and complications.

Now, Maurice Lacroix has added two new Aikon references in full ceramic for the first time, adding an even more luxurious touch to the model and providing an even greater showcase for the brand’s finishing prowess.

All Laid Out in Black and White

The new Aikon Automatic Ceramic comes in two colors, with each clocking in at a different size. There is a version in black ceramic that measures 42mm across its case, along with a 39mm model in full white ceramic.

Both models have matching tapisserie dials with color-matched date wheels at three o’clock, applied indices and logos, and sapphire crystals on both front and back. Both watches also feature stainless steel butterfly claps and casebacks, and both are powered by the same Sellita SW200-1-based automatic movements.

two ceramic maurice lacroix watches on pedestals — The Aikon Ceramic is available in either a white 39mm version or a black 42mm model.

The watches also share the same scant thickness of 11mm, which is quite impressive considering that both are also water resistant to a dive-ready 200m.

Outside of their sizes and colors, the watches also differ in their finishes. The black is stealthier, with its ceramic being sandblasted for a muted look. Its hands, indices and applied logo are all matte black, matching the matte finish of the dial.

The white version features polished ceramic all over for a glossier look. A lacquered dial, applied rhodium logo, and rhodium-plated hands and indices add additional sheen.

Pricing and Availability

All versions of the Aikon offer excellent finishing that ranks among the best in its price class, but these new ceramic versions especially stand out.

a white ceramic maurice lacroix watch seen from behind — Maurice Lacroix developed its own special ceramic material for the new Aikon’s case and bracelet.

That’s because ML spent three years developing its own ceramic material for these watches. Dubbed “technical ceramic,” the proprietary material modifies the typical zirconium oxide ceramic we see in most ceramic watches by “doping” it with hafnium oxide, yttrium oxide and aluminium oxide.

Technical ceramic is hypoallergenic and boasts the same levels of scratch resistance, fade resistance and corrosion resistance as regular ZrO2 ceramic, but ML says the doping process increases the material’s durability, thermal stability and overall strength, arguably making it a superior material overall.

Both Aikon Automatic Ceramic models retail for $3,300, which admittedly is stretching the definition of “affordable.” But considering the level of finishing here and the amount of R&D that went into the custom material — not to mention the fact that a ceramic Royal Oak from AP’s current catalog starts at $54,700 — it’s actually quite the bargain.