tom austin
Time management has its roots in astronomy, as our ancestors looked up at the sky and calculated the passage of time according to the movement of celestial bodies across the sky. Introduced in the 17th century, we began to take a horological interest in the phases of the moon, and the moon phase complication was reduced to pocket watches and eventually found its way into some luxury watches. I did. Moon phase complications are no longer reserved for the most famous watches, and there are plenty of more budget-friendly options to whet your astronomical watch appetite.
Swatch x Omega Super Blue Moonphase Mission
There now seems to be a Moonwatch for every occasion, and given its price, we had to include this one on our list. Released in August 2024, it quickly became one of the most anticipated releases in the ever-expanding collection. It looks pretty amazing, of course. Like it or not, the Moonswatch has captured the hearts of watch collectors and more “normal” people, and to me that can only be a good thing. The Mission to the Super Blue Moonphase brings a nice splash of color to an already cool watch, plus it also features a moonphase complication.
The bioceramic case is finished in the same bright blue as the original release Neptune Moonswatch. This time, however, the dial has been reimagined in a kind of blue “panda” configuration, with dark blue tones against a silver background and, you guessed it, a blue moon adorning the month display. These touches are very reminiscent of the 2020 Omega Speedmaster “Silver Snoopy Award” 50th Anniversary, and we can’t complain about that at all. If you’re looking for an affordable moon phase watch that’s fun and fun to wear, look no further. Price: $310
Frederique Constant Classic Moneta Moon Phase
Although not necessarily breaking boundaries, Frederique Constant, known for its timeless designs, has carefully positioned its watches for those who want sophisticated elegance, but not at an prohibitive price. The Moneta moon phase is a great example. 37mm is perfect for dressy items and is only 7.65mm thick. The polished stainless steel case features a hobnailed inner bezel, giving this simple timepiece some serious style.
The dial also has a very special look, with a sunburst blue finish, contrasting gold accents and arrowhead hour markers, hinting at 1960s glamour. A simple moon phase subdial with date is located at 6 o’clock. The only thing not so special about this watch is the movement, a simple Ronda quartz unit, but the amazing looks more than make up for it. The Classic Moneta Moonphase costs $1,265, a commendable effort for such a stylish piece, but that price tag may not last long as the brand aims to move upmarket.
Christopher Ward C1 Moon Phase
If you love moonphase watches, why not take the plunge and show it off across the dial?The first Christopher Ward C1 Moonphase wowed audiences and was nominated for the industry’s coveted GPHG Award. And this year, it has been shrunk to 37mm in diameter, the so-called Goldilocks size, making it even more accessible. Ready to fit anyone, the C1 Moonphase is ready to captivate once again. The case shape, borrowed from the rest of the C1 line, is made of stainless steel, with a thin bezel framing the aventurine dial. Aventurine is infused with copper oxide flakes for a perfect fit, creating a starry sky effect that contrasts with the huge, bright moonphase indicator across the top of the dial.
Like other C1 models, the dial is devoid of any logos or dial decorations, featuring only nicely polished hands, giving the watch a clean, ultra-modern look. Powering this watch is a modest Sellita movement that has been slightly modified for the moon phase complication that Christopher Ward has been working on lately. This can be seen through the display case back, with only a hint of the brand on the movement’s rotor. The C1 Moonphase is another example of Christopher Ward’s playfulness and fearlessness in introducing impressive watches without breaking the bank. Price: $2,325
Mühle Glashütte Teutonia IV
Launched in 2019, Teutonia IV is a moon phase from the German independent Mühle Glashütte. Positioned as an affordable yet classy and timeless watch, the Teutonia IV boasts a case size of 41 mm and is manufactured from highly polished stainless steel. Its classic proportions are accentuated by the long, straight lugs and large crown, which are nicely combined with the finely grained dial. The blue Lancet handset is tone-matched with the moonphase indicator. The moon phase indicator is unobtrusively located at 6 o’clock and features a detailed lunar surface.
The watch is equipped with the Sellita SW 280-1 caliber movement, refined by Mühle and offering up to 41 hours of power reserve, visible through the sapphire crystal caseback. Finishing off the watch is a crocodile leather strap with a butterfly buckle, completing the classic look. When it comes to classic-style German watches with a moon phase complication, the Teutonia IV is certainly a strong contender, but this watch does it all while staying clean, fresh, and modern. Price: $2,730
Longines Master Collection Ref. L2.909.4.78.3
Longines’ Master Collection was released in 2005, offering affordable luxury dress watches that incorporated complex mechanisms such as moon phases. Since then, they’ve faded into obscurity, but just recently they made a splash with a small seconds model with an engraved dial. Another simple standout of the Master Collection is the Ref. L2.909.4.78.3 is a 40mm stainless steel watch with a pebble-style case, thick draped lugs, and a highly polished finish.
There are many dial and strap combinations, but our favorite is the silver “barley cone” dial, which gives it depth and satisfying texture. Large Arabic numerals are painted on the outside of the dial, finished with contrasting blue hands that point to the interestingly curved inner chapter ring. A moon phase indicator at 6 o’clock, surrounded by a small date counter, complements the starry sky. Overall, Longines is a great package. Price: $2,635