The exciting thing about watchmaking is that there are always new brands to discover. I discover new brands almost every day. Some do not catch my eye. Some do, such as Maurice de Mauriac. I discovered this family business, founded by Daniel Dreifuss. A former banker who fell in love with the city of Zurich in Switzerland and decided to set up his watchmaking brand there. With his sons Leonard and Massimo, they create watches that resemble them. As I learned more and more about them, I fell in sympathy with these three men who communicate in their own way their passion for watchmaking and Zürich. After a few simple and friendly exchanges, I received early in the morning, at home in Lyon, one of their flagship models: the L2 Deep Brown Bronze.
Often, the first impression is decisive. It was excellent with the L2. At the first glance, I found back what I liked on the picture: this almost meditative design, fruit of the collaboration between Maurice de Mauriac and the designer Fabian Schwaerzler. The contrast between the luminescent indexes and hands on one side, and the chocolate sunray dial on the other, is really catchy. These indexes are painted in a thick and precise layer, slightly thinner at 12, 6 and 9 o'clock. The hands, as bright white as the indexes, reinforce this contrast. At 3 o'clock, we have the date indication very well integrated, white on a brown background. The luminescent index has also been saved, well done.
The bezel is also interesting. In the same spirit as the dial, a white and restrained 15 minutes graduation comes to dress this bezel equipped with an insert, brown again but mat this time. This graduation enables you to play with the position of the bezel: it can be placed on the first fifteen minutes of the dial or the last fifteen.
Rather early in the morning, we wanted to enjoy the first rays of the sun. I put on warm clothes and we set off in the direction of the Parc de la Tête d'Or in Lyon. Starting from Croix-Rousse, a district perched on the heights of Lyon, we take discreet stairs, where the atmosphere is calm.
At sunrise, the parks have this particularity: they give off a relaxing and mysterious atmosphere. The Parc de la Tête d'Or is no exception. The birds provoke each other by singing, perched in the trees which seem to consider us as intruders.
The few inhabitants of the park wake up and keep an eye on us.
The stationary rides add a little more mystery to the overall atmosphere.
In this sleepy setting, the L2 blends in perfectly. The patinated bronze of its case traps the light without reflecting it. This case, relatively thick but well designed, is perfectly placed on the wrist thanks to its curved lugs. The weight is not negligible either. However, it is explained by its important waterproofness: 300 meters. The watch is however quickly forgotten on the wrist. The whole confers to this L2 a feeling of robustness and longevity.
The sun is now high in the sky. The air has warmed up and the park has quickly filled up. The atmosphere is quite different from the one felt a few hours earlier. There is life, children laughing and people enjoying their outdoor activities.
I could not resist taking some straps with me to dress up the L2 in a different way. I chose one of my favorite Nato straps. The khaki and the bronze patina are a perfect match.
The slightly curved sapphire glass offers good visibility. The anti-reflective coating works very well. It makes occasional appearances, giving the glass a blue tint. This may disturb some people. I personally find that it adds personality to this watch.
Back home, it's time to relax with, as usual, a hot drink and some reading. This is the opportunity for me to change my bracelet once again and opt for a brown leather one. The combination works very well too.
The Maurice de Mauriac L2 is finding more and more favor in my sight, especially for its ability to accept any type of strap and therefore to adapt to many situations. Equipped with a Marine Nationale strap at sunrise, then with a Nato, it now perfectly accepts leather for a look adapted to the comfort of a heated interior or more formal situation.
Equipped with a black Nato or a sandy Cordura, it will make you want to be an adventurer.
A chameleon watch
The L2 Bronze is a true chameleon. This watch can be adapted to any situation, peaceful or hectic, casual or formal. You can count on adventurous features and a versatile design. This L2 Deep Brown Bronze will be your companion for any occasion.
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