The Best 5 Moonphase Watches for a Starry Look

A moonphase watch is, basically, a timepiece that indicates the moon's current phases through a small aperture on its dial. The moonphase complication needs precision engineering and horological skills to accurately follow the moon's 29.5-day lunar cycle. In many cultures, the moon represents time, renewal, and transformation; moonphase watches include this symbolism, serving as a reminder of life's cyclical nature and the passage of time.

History of Moonphase Watches

The history of the moonphase complication dates back to ancient Greek civilization. The first known example of a mechanical moonphase is the Antikythera, an ancient Greek contraption. It is believed that the device was created to aid in the prediction of astronomical phenomena that include lunar phases and eclipses. During Renaissance, the first examples of the moonphase complication were found in astronomical clocks at churches and cathedrals. These clocks represented the concept of earth being at the centre of the universe, with the sun, the moon, and the planets revolving around it. When it was discovered that earth was not at the centre of the universe, these clocks started losing relevance. However, the moonphase concept remained.  

Frederique Constant’s Manufacture Classic Moonphase Date

This timepiece (Ref. FC-716GR3H6) is housed in a 40 mm stainless steel case with a polished bezel; it features steel-coloured hour and minute hands as well as hour markings. Some signature features include a circular case with a broad bezel, an onion crown at 3 o'clock, and straight lugs. The markers at 5 o'clock and 7 o'clock are chopped short to fit the circular date disc at 6 o'clock, which displays the moonphase. The moon completes one cycle of phases across its star-studded background in exactly 29.5 days. The date is read with a steel hand and the number 31 is marked in red.

The watch is powered by the new Calibre FC-716, which has a 72-hour power reserve, thanks to its new barrel. The FC-716 calibre is based on the FC-715 technological base, which has been used to power the Manufacture collections since 2015; it employs more than 90% of the same components, making it incredibly well-tested and reliable. Turning the watch over reveals the action of the oscillating weight. The movement is held together by screws made of steel that have been tempered or heated to a blue tint; these screws are not painted in that colour. The watch is finished on a green alligator leather strap with a folding buckle.

Price: INR 3,70,000 (approx.)

Blancpain Bathyscaphe Quantième Complet

This 43 mm 18 ct red gold timepiece (Ref. 5054-3640-76S) has a bezel with a ceramic inlay, featuring CeragoldTM technology for the 60-minute scale. The dial, showcasing a central date-by-hand, two windows for the day and month at 12 o’clock, and a moon phase at 6 o'clock, is finished in blue with a subtle gradient, and gold-applied hour markers and hands. The date is marked by a full circle on the dial.

What distinguishes it from previous variants is the addition of a solid 18 ct red gold bracelet with a triple folding clasp. The movement within is the in-house automated calibre 6654P, which has a 72-hour power reserve and a smart calendar mechanism safety system.

Price: INR 22,00,000 (approx.)

Jaeger-LeCoultre Duometre Quantieme Lunaire

This 42.5 mm stainless steel timepiece (Ref. Q604848J) has a deep blue dial that is created with many sections and varying finishes. The opaline main dial has a very faint glow, while the lower section of the watch face is sunray-brushed; the two power reserve indicators are separated from the sunrayed background by an opaline arc. Duometre watches are distinguished by their large hands and symmetrical layout, which features three subdials like an inverted pyramid. 

The subdial at 3 o'clock displays the time, with Arabic numerals marking the cardinal hours; the subdial at 9 o'clock displays the date with a hand and the moon phase against a blue sky. The seconde foudroyante subdial is located beneath them at 6 o'clock. The crown at 3 o’clock has been redesigned with deep and rounded notches. The only sharp lines to be found are on the highly polished edges of the lugs. Powering the watch is manually wound Jaeger-LeCoultre Calibre 381 with a 50-hour power reserve for each barrel. The watch is finished on an alligator strap with small scale alligator lining.

Price: INR 41,60,000 (approx.)

Breitling Navitimer B19 Chronograph 43 Perpetual Calendar 140th Anniversary

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The Navitimer is an intricate version of the brand's classic pilot's chronograph and comes as a part of the 140th anniversary collection of perpetual calendar watches. This 43 mm timepiece (Ref. RB19101A1H1P1) is presented in an 18 ct red gold case with the slide rule bezel, the non-screw-locked crown, and the two chronograph pushers at 2 o’clock and 4 o’clock, made of the same material.

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The 18 ct red gold dial has a black slide rule, a moonphase complication at 12 o’clock, a date and 30-minute counter at 3 o’clock, a month and leap year counter at 6 o’clock, and day and small seconds at 9 o’clock with a central chronograph seconds. The watch is powered by Breitling Manufacture Caliber B19, a self-winding, mechanical, bidirectional movement, with a ball bearing, a 22 ct red gold rotor, and a power reserve of 96 hours. The model is finished on a black alligator leather strap with an 18 ct red gold folding buckle.

Price: INR 51,15,000 (approx.)

IWC Eternal Calendar

The Portugieser Eternal Calendar (Ref. IW505701) is a secular perpetual calendar with an extraordinarily exact moon phase display. With a newly developed reduction gear, the Double Moon™ phase display will only depart from the moon's orbit by one day after 45 million years. It will correctly compute the leap year until at least the year 3999, as it is yet to be determined whether the year 4000 will be a leap year or not. This 44.4 mm platinum case timepiece features a glass dial with a frosted underneath and a white lacquer finish. The subdials are machined and polished independently before getting fitted to the dial. The printing is then applied, followed by hand-mounting of the appliques.

The Double Moon™ indicator on the dial displays the moon phase from both the Northern and Southern hemispheres. The display features two superimposed discs. A heavenly disc with two little circular apertures rotates over a stationary lower disc with two dots; this conjures up an image of two little moons waxing or waning. The lower disc is composed of titanium and features a guilloché pattern. The upper disc is made of glass. Powering the watch is Calibre 52640 with a 7-day (168-hour) power reserve.

Price: INR 1,50,00,000 (approx.)

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