The 10 Best Moon Phase Watches At Second Movement

28 Apr, 2023

The 10 Best Moon Phase Watches At Second Movement

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For horological enthusiasts, there’s nothing quite like the mesmerising beauty of a moon phase watch. The moon phase is a watchmaking complication that allows you to track the lunar cycle, showcasing the moon’s current phase as it transitions through its various stages. These intricate timepieces capture the celestial dance of the moon and the earth in a way that is both functional and utterly captivating. With their precision engineering and exquisite design, moon phase watches are a testament to the artistic and technical purview of watchmaking. Whether you’re a watch collector or simply someone who appreciates the finer things in life, a moon phase watch is a must-have addition to your collection. So sit back and explore the fascinating world of moon phase watches – a realm where time and the cosmos come together in perfect harmony.

Moon phase watches have a rich history and have been a part of the horological tradition since the 17th century. The moon phase complication is based on a series of gears that display the lunar cycle by tracking the moon’s revolution around the Earth. This mechanical complexity is a testament to the ingenuity of watchmakers who have strived to create aesthetically pleasing and functional watches.

1. Vacheron Constantin Traditionnelle Complete Calendar

In the realm of haute horlogerie, few names carry the weight and prestige of Vacheron Constantin. Traditionnelle Complete Calendar from the maison, as the name suggests, comes with a complete calendar complication featuring a moon phase sub-dial at the bottom hemisphere of the slate grey dial that serves as the perfect backdrop for this celestial complication. The white gold case measures 41mm in diameter, and is well-complemented by the black alligator leather strap, affixed to the case through smooth extended lugs. Powered by a self-winding movement, the watch is a hallmark of Vacheron Constantin’s transcendence. It also displays the day, month, and date on the dial, arranged quite legibly. The Traditionnelle collection is a tribute to the classic codes of watchmaking, reinterpreted with a modern sensibility, and this timepiece stands true to this notion. With a hint of traditional design ethics, this moon phase watch is a true masterpiece, showcasing a dedication to precision and refinement without lacking the brand’s DNA.

2. Frederique Constant Classics Moonphase Manufacture 2633

Frederique Constant released this updated Classics Moonphase Manufacture in 2019, boasting an in-house calibre F-712. You will notice the round shape of the three-piece case construction transitioning into a dome-fixed bezel with the rounded mid case, exuding traditional elegance. It is replete with a relatively sleek lug design, a largely-grooved onion-style push-pull crown, and a stunning blue dial. The moon phase display with a shiny blue rotating disc featuring matte grey stars and a moon motif is prominently located at the three o’clock position. A date sub-dial at nine balances the moon phase complication. The dial also features minute markers on the outer ring and Roman numeral hour markers. This watch is ideal for the ones who want to dress it down yet make a mark showcasing their opulent taste.

3. Hublot Aerofusion Moonphase Black Magic

The Hublot Classic Fusion Aerofusion Moonphase Black Magic is a luxurious and stylish moon phase watch. The watch features a skeleton dial and calendar functions, such as day, date and month. The moon phase display sits at six o’clock, accompanied by the date scale on its periphery. The black ceramic case and the bezel with six H-shaped titanium screws and crown is modern, making a bold statement on the wrist. The Hublot calibre HUB1131, visible through the front and back, carries magnificent finishes and a masterful arrangement of components. With a water resistance of up to 50 metres, the watch is practical and functional, making it a perfect choice for the modern horological enthusiast.

4. Blancpain Villeret Quantième Complet

The Blancpain Villeret Quantième Complet is a complete calendar watch, a true masterpiece that showcases all calendar functions, including the moon phase. Its white dial is a canvas of exquisite beauty with the moon phase display located at the six o’clock position, captivating the eye with its detailed imagery of the moon and stars on a blue rotating disc. The case is crafted from steel and features smooth lugs, a stepped bezel, and a logo-engraved crown, lending the watch a distinctive and refined appearance. The inner date chapter ring with the day and month window on the front face tastefully complements the Roman numeral hour markers, creating a stunning visual. Thus, the Blancpain Villeret Quantième Complet is a remarkable timepiece that combines precision engineering with exquisite aesthetics.

5. Raymond Weil Maestro

The Raymond Weil Maestro is a testament to the brand’s mastery of horology. The Maestro collection is known to have produced some limited edition tribute editions for music giants like the Beatles, Frank Sinatra, and Maestro Buddy Holly. This reference 2839-STC-00209 boasts a captivating black dial that provides a stunning backdrop for the moon phase complication, prominently displayed between 10 and 11 o’clock. Additionally, a date sun-dial at six elevates functionality. It features a sapphire crystal caseback, allowing a captivating view of the intricate inner workings. Crafted from stainless steel in a classic round shape, this watch is practical and stylish.

6. Baume & Mercier Classima

Speaking volumes about watchmaking elegance and sophistication, this moon phase version of the Baume & Mercier Classima is truly a thing of beauty. Its mother-of-pearl dial highlights the moon phase indication at the heart of the timepiece, featuring a blue rotating disc embellished with moon and star motifs. The watch’s case is both sturdy and refined, paired with a monotone stitched alligator strap. Notable features of this watch include a date window at the six o’clock hour marker and a sapphire crystal glass that protects the diamond hour markers. What distinguishes this timepiece from its peers is the impeccable attention to detail and the timeless allure it embodies. The Classima collection from Baume & Mercier epitomises classic and timeless design, and this moon phase watch exemplifies that philosophy. With a water resistance of up to 50m, this Swiss-made timepiece is a veritable masterpiece in form and function.

7. Longines Master Collection

Master Collection by Longines is a series of timepieces that exude elegance with finesse. The house’s dedication to technical excellence and aesthetic refinement is evident in this understated Master Collection watch. Its exquisite silver ‘barleycorn’ dial, embellished with painted Arabic numeral hour markers and elegant blue steel hands, is simply breathtaking. The moon phase complication, which elevates the watch’s technical ingenuity a notch higher, is displayed in a sub-dial at six o’clock. It comes with a stainless steel case, whose fluid round profile delivers casual sophistication, making it an ideal choice for daily wear.

8. Omega Speedmaster

In 2016, Omega released this Speedmaster Moonphase, which at the time was the first Speedmaster driven by the high-performance automatic calibre 9904. It is a Master Chronometer, which means it has passed rigorous testing by METAS, ensuring exceptional timekeeping accuracy and reliability. Further, the calibre also has a co-axial escapement, a technology that Omega pioneered to reduce friction in the movement, leading to increased accuracy and longer service intervals.

This Speedmaster Moonphase features a brown dial with the mesmerising moon phase indication positioned at the six o’clock marker has an aesthetic detailing with a high-resolution image of the moon as well as Buzz Aldrin’s footprint, making it a sight to behold. Notably, the chronograph function, tachymeter at the bezel, and date display window at nine o’clock are seamlessly integrated into the design, providing added functionality without overwhelming the dial.

9. Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Control Calendar

The Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Control Calendar is an elegant timepiece featuring a sophisticated moon phase complication on a small sub-dial at the six o’clock position. The sub-dial displays a miniature image of the moon that accurately tracks its phase throughout its 29.5-day cycle. It carries a large, highly-detailed moon set against a deep blue background to create the illusion of a night sky. In addition, the complication is extremely accurate, thanks to the use of Jaeger-LeCoultre’s advanced automatic calibre JLC 924. This movement takes into account the length of each month, including leap years, to ensure that the moon phase indicator remains accurate for decades to come.

10. Corum Admiral AC-One 45 Tides

The Corum Admiral AC-One 45 Tides is a bold, unique option incorporating the moon phase display into its intricately textured blue dial that evokes the majesty and mystery of the night sky, with luminous hour markers and hands that shine like stars. The collection exudes identifiable characteristics of an Admiral with the use of 12 nautical pennants on the outer rim. But what truly sets this watch apart is its three sub-dials featuring navigational complications. The moon phase indication at noon determines tidal movements as well as the strength of the tides. The sub-register six indicates the time of the two succeeding tides in the next 24 hours, and the nine o’clock sub-counter tells whether the tides will rise or ebb. All these functions are powered by the calibre CO277 with a power reserve of 42 hours.