Maurice de Mauriac in 1997, and helmed by twins Massimo and Leonard Dreifuss since 2021, has carved out a niche as one of the more playful and eccentric modern independent watch brands. Their watches are known for their use of color and materials, even extending to the plethora of strap and bracelet options available. There are a total of 113 options on their website, to say you are spoiled for choice would be an understatement.
New for 2024 is a mountain of a watch, inspired by a mountain of a man. When everyone else is making them smaller, MDM is making them big. The Maurice de Mauriac Chrono Modern Big Date Deep Blue is a large name for well… a large watch. Since we are on the subject, might as well get the measurements out of the way, as there are 2 available sizes. Large and extra-large. The former is 45mm in diameter, with a lug-to-lug width of 53mm, while the latter is 48mm in diameter, with a lug-to-lug width of 56mm. The cases seen here with a blue dial are titanium (the watch is also offered in bronze and steel).
Inspired by 6’4”, 320 pound Swiss wrestler Samir Leuppi, these watches are meant for big wrists like his and Maurice de Mauriac does not dispute it. These are definitely not for the timid of wrist. One of the wonderful benefits of a larger watch is uncanny legibility, exemplified here with big bold Arabic numerals at the outer minute track and a big date complication at 12:00.
The other distinguishing feature of this watch is the ornate knurled bezel, a design cue featured elsewhere in the Maurice de Mauriac catalog, but given even more prominence in these references thanks to the large size of the case. The movement powering this watch is the very same that was introduced in their 25th Anniversary Chronograph, which is based on a Valjoux (ETA) 7750 that has been modified to display the big date.
Chrono Modern Big Date Deep Blue also features a screw down crown, along with screw down pushers, to prevent accidental activation, and it is water-resistant to 100 meters. Pricing starts at 7,900 CHF. Maurice de Mauriac
