Omega Speedmaster Professional vs Maurice Lacroix Aikon Automatic
Omega's chronograph meets Maurice Lacroix's diver
Quick Verdict
The Maurice Lacroix Aikon Automatic ($1,500–$2,500) delivers Automatic (Sellita SW200-1 base) technology in the tier below the Omega Speedmaster Professional ($5,000–$10,000). The Aikon Automatic measures 42mm and is rated 200m (20 ATM). The Speedmaster Professional justifies its premium with Swiss Made heritage and Manual-Winding Caliber 3861. Both represent excellent choices in the luxury watch category.
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Specifications Compared
| Feature | Omega Speedmaster Professional | Maurice Lacroix Aikon Automatic |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $5,000–$10,000 | $1,500–$2,500 |
| Case Size | 42mm | 42mm |
| Movement | Manual-Winding Caliber 3861 | Automatic ML115 |
| Caliber Type | In-House Manual-Winding Manufacture (Co-Axial) | Automatic (Sellita SW200-1 base) |
| Power Reserve | 50 Hours | 38 Hours |
| Water Resistance | 50m (5 ATM) | 200m (20 ATM) |
| Crystal | Hesalite or Sapphire | Sapphire Crystal |
| Case Material | Stainless Steel | Stainless Steel |
| Origin | Swiss Made | Swiss Made |
Category-by-Category Analysis
Design & Aesthetics
Omega's design language vs Maurice Lacroix's approach
The Omega Speedmaster Professional features a Stainless Steel case at 42mm with Hesalite or Sapphire protection. The Maurice Lacroix Aikon Automatic offers Stainless Steel construction at 42mm with Sapphire Crystal. Both represent their brand's distinct design philosophy and heritage.
Movement & Performance
Manual-Winding Caliber 3861 vs Automatic ML115
The Speedmaster Professional runs the Manual-Winding Caliber 3861 (In-House Manual-Winding Manufacture (Co-Axial), 50 Hours power reserve) at 21,600 vph (3 Hz) frequency. The Aikon Automatic uses the Automatic ML115 (Automatic (Sellita SW200-1 base), 38 Hours reserve) at 28,800 vph (4 Hz). The Speedmaster Professional edges ahead on power reserve.
Wearability & Fit
42mm vs 42mm — different wrist presence
At 42mm, the Speedmaster Professional is similarly sized compared to the Aikon Automatic at 42mm. Water resistance differs: 50m (5 ATM) vs 200m (20 ATM).
Value & Cost of Ownership
Maurice Lacroix sits in the lower tier
The Omega Speedmaster Professional sits at $5,000–$10,000 and the Maurice Lacroix Aikon Automatic at $1,500–$2,500. On the specs that outlast any price: the Speedmaster Professional uses Hesalite or Sapphire with 50 Hours, against Sapphire Crystal and 38 Hours on the Aikon Automatic. Service intervals are typically 5-7 years for both.
Water Resistance
50m (5 ATM) vs 200m (20 ATM)
The Speedmaster Professional is rated to 50m (5 ATM) while the Aikon Automatic handles 200m (20 ATM). The Aikon Automatic offers superior water resistance.
Materials Face-Off
| Component | Omega Speedmaster Professional | Maurice Lacroix Aikon Automatic |
|---|---|---|
| Co-Axial Caliber 3861 | Manual-wind chronograph with Co-Axial escapement (George Daniels design, licensed 1999). Si14 silicon balance spring, free-sprung balance, 234 components, 26 jewels | Medical-grade 316L stainless steel with alloy composition: Fe (~65%), Cr (16–18%), Ni (10–14%), Mo (2–3%), Mn (≤2%), C (≤0.03%). The molybdenum content prevents pitting corrosion in chlorinated and saltwater environments. Mixed finishing — polished bezel arms and case flanks with satin-brushed top surfaces. |
| Hesalite Crystal | Hardened acrylic (Mohs ~2–3) with embossed central Omega logo — the NASA flight-qualified specification Mohs 2.5 | Synthetic corundum crystal (Mohs hardness 9, second only to diamond) with multi-layer anti-reflective coating for glare reduction. Virtually scratch-proof in daily wear. |
| Silicon Balance Spring (Si14) | Omega's proprietary Si14 silicon hairspring — in series production since 2008 | Stainless steel integrated links with alternating brushed and polished surfaces. Features Maurice Lacroix's proprietary EasyChange quick-release system — spring-loaded pushers on the case flanks allow strap swaps in seconds without tools. |
| Aluminum Tachymeter Bezel | Fixed black anodized aluminum with white tachymeter scale. Preserves the "DOT OVER NINETY" detail from the Apollo 11–era watches | Mechanical hobnail (Clous de Paris) pattern pressed into the dial blank before color application. This traditional guilloche-adjacent technique creates a grid of raised pyramidal studs that catch and refract light from every angle. Uncommon at this price point. |
| Stainless Steel Case | 42mm asymmetric case with integrated crown guards (added in 1964 for the 105.012 — the reference Buzz Aldrin wore on the Moon) | Applied to the hands and hour markers for legibility in the dark. Maurice Lacroix does not publish the Super-LumiNova grade for this reference, so no emission colour or wavelength is stated. |
Cost of Ownership Compared
The Maurice Lacroix Aikon Automatic saves you $5,505 over 5 years of ownership
Who Should Pick Which
Pick the Omega Speedmaster Professional if…
- History and heritage enthusiasts — the only watch worn on the Moon, with NASA documentation to prove it
- METAS Master Chronometer accuracy at sub-$8,000 — antimagnetic to 15,000 gauss, 0/+5 sec/day
- Chronograph lovers — the manual-wind ritual and hand-wound feel is deeply satisfying
- Value seekers at grey market $5,200–$5,500 — one of the cheapest 5-figure-quality chronographs from a top-tier maison
- Available off-the-shelf — walk into any Omega boutique and buy one today (no Rolex-style waitlist)
Pick the Maurice Lacroix Aikon Automatic if…
- Enthusiasts wanting the integrated-bracelet luxury sports watch look under $2,000
- Daily wearers who need genuine 200m WR with screw-down crown
- Those who value strap versatility — EasyChange is a genuine differentiator
- Buyers who appreciate fine dial craftsmanship (Clous de Paris) at an accessible price
Omega Speedmaster Professional
- Hesalite scratches — acrylic at Mohs ~2–3 is dramatically softer than sapphire. Polishes out with PolyWatch in 5 minutes, but it's high-maintenance for desk-diving wear
- No screw-down crown, 50m water resistance — this is a NASA chronograph, not a dive watch. Shower-safe, swim-cautious, never deep water
- Manual wind — not for the set-and-forget buyer. Daily winding is part of the ritual; some find it charming, some find it inconvenient
- Wears thick at 13.18mm with a proud bezel — reads as 43–44mm visually because of the broad lug profile
Maurice Lacroix Aikon Automatic
- Brand recognition gap: Maurice Lacroix doesn't command the instant recognition of Omega, Tudor, or TAG Heuer. Buyers motivated purely by brand cachet may feel the money is better spent on a more recognizable name.
- 38-hour power reserve: Below average for 2026 — most competitors offer 60–80 hours (Tissot PRX Powermatic 80 offers 80h at 1/3 the price). Skip a day wearing it and you'll need to reset time and date.
- Sellita SW200-1 base movement: A proven workhorse with the ML115 26-jewel upgrade, but not in-house. Enthusiasts who prioritize manufacture movements may view this as a drawback at this price point.
- Grey-market erosion: Heavy grey-market discounting ($1,200–$1,500 vs full retail) undermines the brand's luxury positioning and signals weak demand at MSRP.
Our Verdict
Omega
Speedmaster Professional
Choose the Omega Speedmaster Professional if you prioritize In-House Manual-Winding Manufacture (Co-Axial) engineering, Swiss Made craftsmanship, and 50m (5 ATM) water resistance. At $5,000–$10,000, it delivers Manual-Winding Caliber 3861 with 50 Hours power reserve.
Check Price on AmazonMaurice Lacroix
Aikon Automatic
Choose the Maurice Lacroix Aikon Automatic if you value Automatic (Sellita SW200-1 base) technology, Swiss Made heritage, and 42mm proportions. At $1,500–$2,500, the Automatic ML115 with 38 Hours power reserve makes it a compelling choice.
Check Price on AmazonThe Bottom Line
The Omega Speedmaster Professional and Maurice Lacroix Aikon Automatic represent two distinct approaches to fine watchmaking — the Omega bringing Swiss Made tradition while Maurice Lacroix delivers Swiss Made engineering.
Frequently Asked Questions
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How This Page Was Made
Our comparisons are generated from a hand-maintained specification database and reviewed under our editorial standards. We use AI tools to assemble pages from that data. We don’t invent specs: every number traces back to the database, and when we correct an entry, the fix is applied site-wide. As an Amazon Associate, The Horologist earns from qualifying purchases.