Watches
The best new moonphase watches you’ll want on your wrist
9.8.19
Words by Russell Sheldrake
Houston, we have a new obsession
Humanity has been obsessed with tracking, monitoring and exploring the orbiting rock that is the Moon since, well, forever, so it’s no surprise the moonphase is one of the oldest complications in the history of time. In a way, they shouldn’t be popular. You only need to look up on a clear night to see what they’re designed to tell us. But it’s not function that makes us want one. As an addition to your watch face, it brings immediate interest, visual stimulation and a little irreverence. As such, the complication is enjoying a renaissance, with more houses introducing, re-vamping and streamlining their lunar-focused offerings. Who needs to walk on the Moon when you can wear it on your wrist? Here’s the best new moonphase watches to add to your collection.
Carl F Bucherer Manero Chronoperpetual
This is a very complex watch, with a flyback chronograph, perpetual calendar and, arguably the star of the show, the moonphase. To ask any more of a timepiece, we think, could be overkill. £33,200, uk.bucherer.com
Cartier Ballon Bleu de Cartier
The sapphire cabochon (the polished gem atop the crown) on one side and deep blue moonphase on the other just goes to show how Cartier has mastered the design of the lunar timepiece. £6,450, cartier.co.uk
Glashütte Original PanoMatic Lunar
Infused with typical German precision, this is the only moonphase in our selection with a numbered scale from 0 to 29.5 so you can track exactly how many days into the lunar cycle you are. £15,000, glashuette-original.com
Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Ultra Thin Moon Enamel
The newly designed moonphase here is nestled in a guilloché and enamel dial with a deep, satisfying wave effect that craftspeople spend years learning to create. £32,100, jaeger-lecoultre.com
Rolex Cellini Moonphase
In true Rolex style, this beautiful moonphase complication will be astronomically accurate for the next 122 years – although it won’t help you live that long. £20,600, rolex.com
Vacheron Constantin Patrimony Perpetual Calendar Ultra thin
Thanks to a liquid-like dial, the moonphase and perpetual calendar subdials seem to be swimming in the night sky when you first glance at this superbly sleek timepiece. £69,300, vacheron-constantin.com
Russell Sheldrake is a freelance journalist, watch fanatic and would one day like to go to the moon
