To the Moon and Back: Eight Creative Moonphase Watches
De Bethune DB28 Digitale
De Bethune is a brand known for its deep fascination with the moon, integrating moonphase complications into many of its models. The DB28 Digitale features a jump hour display with the minutes shown in the upper half of the dial. At its center lies a spherical moon, set against a star-studded sky crafted from blued titanium and white gold — a stunning visual and technical centerpiece.
In addition to its aesthetics, the moonphase display is highly precise, deviating by just one day every 1,112 years. The movement is powered by two mainspring barrels offering a five-day power reserve. The case, made of Grade 5 titanium and polished to perfection, keeps the watch surprisingly lightweight.
CHF 98,000
Christopher Ward C1 Moonphase
Christopher Ward draws inspiration from the night sky with its C1 Moonphase. The 40.5mm stainless steel case features a deep blue aventurine dial filled with shimmering inclusions that mimic a star-filled sky. The same material is used for the moonphase disc, which spans the top half of the dial and creates the illusion of a floating moon.
The moons are crafted from Globolight, a luminous ceramic material, and glow brightly in the dark. Powered by a modified Sellita SW220 automatic movement, the display remains accurate for 128 years.
$2,325 on a strap; $2,475 on a bracelet
Andreas Strehler Lune Exacte
Independent watchmaker Andreas Strehler pushes the boundaries of precision with the Lune Exacte — a moonphase watch that only needs adjusting once every two million years. This technical feat is matched by a unique scale that allows wearers to set the moonphase with 3-hour accuracy.
The Lune Exacte also includes Strehler’s signature remontoir d’égalité and a power reserve of 78 hours, made possible by twin mainspring barrels. The architecture of the movement and the open dial display reinforce Strehler’s reputation for mechanical innovation.
CHF 125,000 in gold or platinum
Bovet Récital 27
Bovet takes a dual-hemisphere approach to the moonphase complication in the Récital 27. The watch features two moonphase displays at 6 o’clock — one for each hemisphere — with small moons rotating across a textured disk that mimics the lunar surface. The disk is filled with Super-LumiNova, adding both visibility and visual intrigue.
Made for the avid traveler, the Récital 27 also features two additional time zones and a day/night indicator. The finely decorated hand-wound movement offers a seven-day power reserve. Housed in a 46.30mm titanium case, it makes a dramatic statement on the wrist while remaining lightweight thanks to its materials. The signature sloped case design evokes the incline of a classic writing desk — a nod to Bovet’s heritage of elegance and functionality.
CHF 99,000
Hermès Arceau L’Heure de la Lune
Hermès rethinks the moonphase with its innovative Arceau L’Heure de la Lune. Rather than move the moons, the watch rotates two subdials that display the hours, minutes, and date above two fixed moon discs — one for each hemisphere. This allows for a simultaneous view of the moon's current phase in both the Northern and Southern Hemispheres.
Various dial materials are available, including aventurine, lapis lazuli, and meteorite. The model shown here features a meteorite dial sourced from the moon itself. Look closely and you'll also spot a Pegasus motif, inspired by artist Dimitri Rybaltchenko. The subdials remain upright as they rotate thanks to an ingenious mechanical system hidden within.
Price on request
H. Moser & Cie. Endeavour Perpetual Moon Concept Aventurine
H. Moser & Cie. presents a poetic vision of the moonphase complication with its Endeavour Perpetual Moon Concept Aventurine. The glass-like aventurine dial shimmers with specks of light that evoke a clear night sky. The large moonphase aperture at 6 o’clock provides visual balance and elegance.
The moonphase display only needs adjusting once every 1,027 years and is powered by Moser’s in-house HMC 801 movement. The model comes with an interchangeable escapement and boasts a seven-day power reserve. With no logos or indices, the minimal design keeps the focus on the moon and stars.
CHF 39,900
Arnold & Son Luna Magna
Arnold & Son explores contrast — both visual and technical — with the Luna Magna. A 44mm red-gold case frames a dial made from meteorite and aventurine, setting the stage for one of the most striking moonphase displays on the market: a 3D spherical moon made from marble and aventurine that rotates in a PVD-coated display.
The moon glows in the dark thanks to Super-LumiNova, while a secondary moonphase indicator on the caseback offers precision accuracy. Powered by the A&S1021 manual-winding movement, the Luna Magna has a 90-hour power reserve and only needs moonphase correction once every 122 years.
CHF 59,000
Jaeger-LeCoultre Duomètre Quantième Lunaire
This Duomètre Quantième Lunaire from Jaeger-LeCoultre showcases the brand’s "Dual-Wing" concept — two separate mainspring barrels power the timekeeping and complication mechanisms independently. Each has its own power-reserve indicator, displayed at the bottom of the dial.
The moonphase display is remarkably detailed, with a golden moon set against a galaxy of laser-engraved stars. The watch also includes a 1/6th-second jumping seconds display between the power reserves. Skeletonized openings on the dial expose parts of the intricate movement, adding both visual and technical depth.
$55,500
This article was originally published in the January / February 2024 print issue. To subscribe to WatchTime Magazine, click here.
