The movement of heavenly bodies has always been linked to the tracking and recording of time. These have been the source of inspiration for astronomers, poets, navigators, and watchmakers. In watchmaking, the monitoring of lunar cycles has been expressed through creative and innovative timepieces for many years. Here is a list of the best moonphase watches of 2022 yet.
Patek Philippe Annual Calendar Travel Time
Beautifully decorated and flawless technical performance is what you get with the Patek Philippe Annual Calendar Travel Time. For this timepiece, Patek Philippe brings together two of its beneficial and patented complications for the first time, an Annual Calendar and the Travel Time system, to display a second timezone. With this unique function, the watch transforms into a travel watch whose date display is synchronised with the respective local time. As the watch is powered by the new automatic caliber 31-260 PS QA LU FUS 24H movement (with 8 patents), Patek Philippe created a new white gold Calatrava case set with a vintage-inspired dial. The case features a slightly chamfered bezel with polished, inclined lugs that gives the watch a sleek and elegant look. The dial is charcoal grey with a delicate gradation setting sitting at the edges, and a slightly granular structure that reminds one of the cases of old photo cameras. The applied Arabic numerals in white gold work perfectly against the charcoal-grey tone of the dial. The luminous white-gold “Seringue” hands, where hours of the local time are displayed further, add more character to the overall watch. The annual calendar apertures with a subsidiary second that sweeps the moonphase indicator at 6 o’clock gives the dial a more balanced look. The new Ref. 5326G-001 Annual Calendar Travel Time is delivered with two interchangeable straps, one beige calfskin with nubuck texture, and another black calfskin with an embossed textile finish.
Vacheron Constantin Traditionnelle Perpetual Calendar Chronograph
Classically inspired and combined with modern aesthetics, the all-new Vacheron Constantin Traditionnelle Perpetual Calendar Chronograph features a platinum case with a salmon-coloured dial. The watch is set with one of the list’s most understated and classically inclined moonphase displays. It appears on a platinum disc at 6 o’clock, and is integrated with a pointer-type date display. The moonphase display has been designed meticulously, with the raised moons alternately smiling, and melancholy depending on the phase. Further, the presence of stars set against a frosted background around the moons adds the final touch of elegance to the overall dial. The salmon-coloured dial and the platinum case combination pay tribute to the great days of classical watchmaking when coloured dials symbolised elegance. Other traditional design codes of the watch include the dauphine-shaped hands, a railway-type minute track, and a stepped case with distinctive fluting on the back. The complicated perpetual calendar chronograph function is powered by the in-house Calibre 1142 QP, one of the most highly prized historical calibres among collectors.
Arnold & Son Perpetual Moon 38 Eclipse I
The Arnold & Son’s 38mm Perpetual Moon 38 Eclipse I offers the highest level of opulence and masterful watchmaking. Crafted in a white gold case with gem-setting, this new timepiece marks a new era for women’s watches at Arnold & Son. How? This is the first watch from the brand designed, created, embellished, and powered for women. Featuring a large precision moon, the watch features a new case structure that houses a calibre specially designed for this moonphase complication. Also called Arnold & Son’s “large-moon timepiece”, the dial of the Perpetual Moon 38 Eclipse I is made from a fine layer of blue aventurine crystal set with lace-like cut-outs through which one can view the large-moon display. The starry sky of the moonphase display is made from mother-of-pearl, and showcases graduation of shades from blue to white. The two lunar discs are depicted via the ruthenium crystals. Another exciting aspect of the watch? The constellations on the starry sky have been hand-painted. By playing with transparency, colour, and mineral composition, the Perpetual Moon 38 Eclipse I showcases the know-how of Arnold & Son as it adopts new, particularly expressive techniques.
Jaeger-Lecoultre Master Control Chronograph Calendar
Making a case for classic watches with beautifully designed moonphase displays is the new Master Control Chronograph Calendar. On its way to becoming a watch for all seasons, the 2022 Master Control Chronograph Calendar epitomises the dedicated approach to precision and fine watchmaking at Jaeger-LeCoultre. Featuring a signature complication and an interchangeable bracelet, this new extension of the brand’s Master Control collection is more versatile than ever. The timepiece comes in a 40mm stainless steel case set with a silver sunray-brushed dial that brings the calendar display and chronograph function more fully into everyday life. This new timepiece expands the practical side of calendrical watchmaking with a sharp focus on purity and refinement. From the dauphine hands to the Arabic numerals and a blue moonphase disc to bring out the indications of the complication, each aspect of the watch maintains the essential design codes of the Master Control. The timepiece is powered by Jaeger-LeCoultre’s automatic mechanical Calibre 759 that offers time, date, day, month, moonphase, chronograph, 30-minute counter, and pulsometer functions.
Blancpain Fifty Fathoms Bathyscape Quantieme Complet Phases De Lune
The Fifty Fathoms Bathyscaphe Quantième Complet reinforces the principle of everyday utility that gave rise to the first Bathyscaphe. With this new timepiece, the luxury watch brand brings together two emblematic Blancpain universes: the sporting DNA of its famous Fifty Fathoms diver’s watch and its traditional complete calendar with moonphases. The timepiece combines the sporty aesthetic of the iconic Fifty Fathoms collection with an elegant complete calendar complication featuring the day of the week, month and date, and moonphase indications. This new timepiece comes in two new interpretations; a red gold version with a blue-gradient dial and a titanium version with an anthracite dial. The face of the watch offers information that is complemented by a moonphase indicator present in a large window at 6 o’clock. The multitude of functions of the watch is powered by the 6654.P.4 self-winding movement with a unique protection system. This allows the user to change each indication at any time without any risk to the movement. The red gold version of the Fifty Fathoms Bathyscaphe Quantième Complet watch is available with a blue sail-canvas strap. The titanium model comes with a titanium bracelet and a folding clasp.
Fredrique Constant Classic Heart Beat Moonphase Date
Classic in spirit and modern execution, the all-new addition to the Frederique Constant Classic Heart Beat Moonphase Date is a testament to the Swiss watch brand’s dedication to fine watchmaking. The 40mm stainless steel watch embodies one of Frederique Constant’s most iconic designs. The timepiece transcends style, trends, and decades, featuring a deep blue dial that houses the emblematic Heart Beat aperture. The stainless-steel case structure is a comfortable fit on the wrist, and its blue dial’s composition reflects the same balance. The single crown on the side adjusts the watch’s different functions, including the winding, hours, minutes, date and moonphases. It houses the ‘Heart Beat’ aperture at 12 o’clock, where one can notice the escapement bringing the self-winding FC-335 mechanical movement to life.
IWC Pilot’s Watch Constant-Force Tourbillion Edition “AMG One Owners”
Created in collaboration with its partner Mercedes-AMG, IWC Schaffhausen has unveiled the Big Pilot’s Watch Constant-Force Tourbillon Edition “AMG ONE OWNERS” for this year. Available exclusively for future owners of the performance hybrid Mercedes- AMG ONE, this horological masterpiece features the Swiss watch brand’s patented constant-force mechanism integrated with a tourbillon, a case made of titanium aluminide (TiAl). These design codes are inspired by the high-performance car, caseback made of Ceratanium®, and a perpetual moonphase display for both northern and southern hemispheres. Powered by the IWC-manufactured 94800 calibre that is manually wound and clocks in a power reserve of 96 hours, thewatch exudes unparalleled mechanical mastery in the world of watchmaking. The case structure of titanium aluminide (TiAl) showcases the brand’s dedication to machining titanium since the 1980s. It is lighter and more complex than conventional titanium, highly resistant to corrosion and biocompatible. Regarding the watch’s overall design, the black dial features a double moonphase display at 1 o’clock, and a power reserve display at 4 o’clock. Including details in Petronas green (signature colour of the Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula OneTM team) gives the timepiece a unique look, making it one of the most likeable watches on the list.
Cartier Pasha De Cartier Moonphase
Despite first making its debut in the 1980s, Cartier’s Pasha de Cartier collection is one of the most contemporary and timeless watches. For 2022, Cartier unveils a slew of new designs for the iconic collection, embarking on a journey to define a whole generation of one-of-a-kind personalities. From complex mechanisms that include a moonphase or skeleton watch to exceptional watchmaking with a touch of eccentricity (like a grid over the dial), the new versions are entirely in keeping with the spirit of the Pasha de Cartier community. From the many new versions, the Pasha de Cartier Moonphase version features Cartier’s iconic automatic 1904-LU MC movement. This delicate moonphase movement comes in the shape of a circle surrounded by a midnight-blue planisphere strewn with stars. This contrasts with the bold design of the Pasha de Cartier watch. The moonphase versions are available in two 41mm case materials: steel and rose gold. Both versions are set with a pristine white dial with distinctive blue markers that mark the time and the moonphase indicator at 6 o’clock. Each is available in interchangeable QuickSwitch blue and grey alligator leather straps.
Montblanc Star Legacy Moonphase
Montblanc’s classical Star Legacy collection has its roots firmly planted in the Legacy of Minerva. Each timepiece from the collection combines the classic design codes with some of the highest technologies of the day. The Montblanc Star Legacy Moonphase is one such timepiece. Limited to just 1,786 pieces, the Montblanc Star Legacy Moonphase watch comes in a 42mm pebble-shaped stainless-steel case with rose gold-coated hands, Arabic numerals, and an eye-catching moonphase display at 6 o’clock set on an immaculately designed blue glacier pattern dial. What makes this watch instantly attractive is the inner portion of the dial that is decorated with a layered ice design inspired by the Mer de Glace, the main glacier of the Mont Blanc mountain. This has been created with the help of a special stamp that reproduces this glacier texture. It also marks the celebration of the blue hour, called l’heure bleue, which signifies the shade of intense blue that falls upon the glacier at dusk when the moon rises and the stars begin to shine. This moment is an essential part of Montblanc history as it was at this time of the day when Jacques Balmat became the first person to reach the summit of the Mont Blanc on August 7, 1786. The watch offers the function of hours, minutes, central seconds, moonphase indication, and a date window. All of these are powered by the MB 24.31 mechanical movement with automatic winding mechanism.
Fossil Neutra Moonphase
Representing every watch lover’s celestial dream, the Fossil Neutra Moonphase timepiece reflects our fascination with the moon that has been translated into more ways than one — this time, in a watch. Belonging to a part of Fossil’s new Shining Stars collection, the timepiece is powered by the moon’s movement. It has been built on the principles of balance and proportion with a minimal design that offers enhanced functionality. The Neutra Moonphase watch is deeply inspired by the clean-lined look of mid-century modern design, giving it a new, straightforward, uncluttered, and functional design aesthetic that is easy to get behind. Available in a multitude of options, the sunray dial of the Neutra watch comes in a stainless-steel case, housing a genuine Japanese moonphase movement.
