he recently launched Aikon Tide represents a new, responsible approach to watchmaking. Made from ocean-bound upcycled plastic, it takes 17 bottles to make one watch and its user-friendly packaging, which means 17 fewer bottles polluting the ocean (read our article on the collection here). The Aikon Tide shares the same attributes as other members of the series, namely Swiss quality, precision timekeeping, urban styling and high perceived value.

Now, the watch brand from the Swiss Jura has collaborated with ML Crew member, Benzilla, the Thai artist, to create the aptly named Aikon Tide Benzilla. A graduate of Bangkok University, Benzilla studied fine and applied art, however, he is now best known for his colourful street art.

His work often juxtaposes swathes of concrete with his distinctive, playful use of colour. He adores using numerous hues in his compositions which is quite surprising for a man who is colour blind. However, he has overcome this potential obstacle through determination, culminating in his extraordinary success. Indeed, this inspiring story and success epitomises Maurice Lacroix’s mindset, #BeYourAikon.

Benzilla feels a personal connection with the Aikon Tide initiative. The watch brand, in conjunction with Tide, are collecting plastic bottles from the seas surrounding the various islands around Thailand as well as Indonesia and the Philippines.

The new Aikon Tide Benzilla exploits the use of colour to the max. Enlivened with a plethora of eye-popping shades, the 40mm model features a flat sapphire crystal, augmenting readability, and a quartz movement.

The dial is adorned with the Thai artist’s 3-eyed character, ‘LOOOK’, an alien who came from nowhere to live among us. The bezel and crown are dressed in black, while the case body is executed in a vibrant shade of orange. Finally, a funky light blue rubber strap completes the ensemble. Owners of the watch can modify its appearance courtesy of the Easy Strap Exchange system, swapping the strap for an alternative, without the need for tools.

Meanwhile, consistent with the brand’s environmentally conscious mindset, the Aikon Tide Benzilla isn’t presented in excessive packaging but instead comes with a colour-coordinated mug that can be used again and again and….

Stéphane Waser, Managing Director of Maurice Lacroix, remarks: “It is an honour to work with Benzilla, a Thai national and a member of the ML Crew, and it is great to open a new Maurice Lacroix boutique in Bangkok. This is a further example of how we are forging links with this region. Indeed, as part of the Aikon Tide initiative, we are removing plastic waste from the seas surrounding Thailand and beyond, helping to make a difference to the world we all share.”