Humans have always been fascinated with the Celestial bodies, be it the Sun or the Moon, especially the Moon for its romantic and scientific aspects. The Moon’s monthly trek around our planet has inspired poets, navigators, astronomers, and watchmakers to explore and understand its unique place in the cosmos.
Several watch brands have tried to depict the Moon, the sky, and the stars on the watch dials in a way that magnificently portrays the lunar cycle and tells the time. In fact, to your surprise, the Moonphase complication is one of the oldest complications in watchmaking, tracing its roots back to 150 and 100 BC.
What are Moonphase watches?
A moonphase watch is the one that displays the current position of the Moon, in addition to the standard time. The moon phase indicator is located on the dial, showcasing the lunar cycle. Watch brand achieves this phenomenal artistry through a series of gears and rotating discs that mimic the various phases of the Moon on the dial as seen from Earth.
The Moon’s lunar cycle is divided into four phases: new Moon, full Moon, first quarter and last quarter. Watches featuring a moonphase complication typically showcase the lunar cycle through a circular or semi-circular aperture, where a rotating disc beneath the dial illustrates the Moon’s phases. As the disc rotates, it unveils the current phase of the Moon, with the new Moon depicted by a dark disc and the full Moon by a complete circle. Most high-end watch brands have their own interpretation of this celestial movement, elegantly narrated through their creativity, innovation and craftsmanship. This variety allows enthusiasts and collectors to choose a moonphase watch that suits their style and personal taste.
Best Moon-Phase Watches to Buy in 2025
1. Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Ultra Thin Moon (Ref: Q1368480)
Reputed Swiss Maison Jaeger-LeCoultre has an innate ability to excel equally in mechanical precision and artistic craftsmanship of high horology, and both are on display in the Master Ultra Thin Moon Collection. Crafted for gentlemen with a keen eye for elegance, this interpretation in stainless steel has a petroleum blue dial upon which every detail stands out clearly.
Upon first glance, JLC delights with many visually appealing elements, including the beautiful moon phase sitting artfully at the 6 o’clock position. It is made entirely in-house by skilled artisans. The moonphase display with a polished white moon, the small seconds display, and the neat dauphine hands work well with what is already a very classical dress watch. The new generation ultra-thin Calibre 925 promises a power reserve of 70 hours, gracefully showing off its luxurious finish behind a sapphire caseback.
Key Specifications:
- Model: Q1368480
- Case Size: 39mm
- Material: Stainless Steel
- Dial: Blue Sunray-brushed
- Bezel: Stainless Steel
- Bracelet: Black Alligator Strap
- Movement: Calibre 925, Automatic
2. Cartier Drive De Cartier Moon Phases (Ref: WGNM0018)
French luxury brand Cartier is known for its unusual and eccentric case shapes – from the iconic Tank to the offbeat Crash, and in 2016, the brand added another peculiarity to its lineup with the launch of the Drive collection. The watches stand out for their chunky yet thin-profile, cushion-shaped cases, guilloched inner dials and railroad minute tracks. Just a year later, Cartier dropped a moonphase version of the Drive, ensuring masculinity meets romance.
The Cartier Drive WGNM0018 redefines masculinity with its style, elegance and refinement. It’s a confident dress watch that takes the Cartier Drive’s elegant design and adds the eternally romantic Moonphase at 6 o’clock. It tracks the lunar cycle precisely with no need for adjustment. No big drama, but it’s the balance and symmetry that hooks. It is housed in a 41mm cushion-shaped rose gold case with a silver dial featuring large Roman markers in black, blued hands, an astronomic blue and gold moon disc and a wave guilloche pattern in the centre.
Key Specifications:
- Model: WGNM0018
- Case Size: 41mm
- Material: 18ct Rose Gold
- Dial: Silver
- Bezel: 18ct Rose Gold
- Bracelet: Semi-Matte Brown Alligator Strap
- Movement: Calibre 1904-LU MC, Automatic
3. Omega Speedmaster Moonphase Chronograph (Ref: 304.33.44.52.03.001)
Since its first landing on the Moon (literally), the Speedmaster Professional chronograph has received the moniker ‘Moonwatch’, but it wasn’t until 2016 that Omega equipped this iconic model with a moonphase display. Not many sporty watches are associated with a moonphase display, but is there anything better than the Speedy, which was actually present during all six moon landings to showcase this remarkable indicator?
The aesthetics of the Moonphase Master Chronometer chronograph is impressive in steel, which comes with a Liquidmetal tachymeter bezel insert. The luminous markers on the dial make a nice contrast with the matching bezel and dial colours in blue. At the 6 o’clock location, there’s an incredibly realistic moon disc between the two chronograph counters at 3 and 9 o’clock. The image of the Moon shown is taken from an actual high-resolution photo of the Moon’s surface. It also includes a tiny footprint of Buzz Aldrin, the Apollo 11 astronaut, at the exact same location where he landed on the lunar surface. This lifelike mechanism needs to be adjusted every 10 years.
Key Specifications:
- Model: 304.33.44.52.03.001
- Case Size: 44.25mm
- Material: Stainless Steel
- Dial: Blue
- Bezel: Blue Ceramic Bezel Ring With Liquidmetal™ Tachymeter Scale
- Bracelet: Blue Leather Strap
- Movement: Omega Calibre 9904, Automatic
4. Vacheron Constantin Patrimony Moon-Phase Retrograde Date (Ref: 4010U/000R-B329)
Vacheron Constantin has developed an endless array of complications and has also combined them in interesting ways. One of the prime examples is the Patrimony Moon-Phase Retrograde Date. This elegant dress watch is neatly arranged and encompasses all the hallmarks of a classic. The exquisite pink gold timepiece features a retrograde date display and a moonphase, making it very easy to tell the time and the date.
The rose gold case is minimalist yet refined, while the silver opaline dial features a moonphase display with an additional scale for denoting the age of the Moon at 6 o’clock. It is accompanied by a retrograde date indicator represented in an arc spanning the dial from 9 to 3 o’clock. Arabic numerals for odd numbers and dots for the evens are indicated by arrow-tipped hands that perform their jump back to Day One at the end of each month. The moon aperture is displayed with a starry blue sky and a rose or white gold moon. This poetic complication, depicting two gold moons and a star-studded sky, requires adjustment every 122 years. Admire the in-house movement achieving all these functions behind a sapphire window.
Key Specifications:
- Model: 4010U/000R-B329
- Case Size: 42.5mm
- Material: 18ct Pink Gold
- Dial: Silver Opaline
- Bezel: 18ct Pink Gold
- Bracelet: Brown Alligator Strap
- Movement: Calibre 2460 R31L/1, Automatic
5. Breitling Premier B25 Datora 42 Copper (Ref: AB2510201K1P1)
Coming from Breitling’s flagship Premier line, this vintage-inspired chronograph with a manual-wind movement is surely going to strike a chord with vintage connoisseurs. The Premier Datora 42 draws inspiration from the brand’s back catalogue to create the most elegantly complicated chronograph in the Premier collection. It’s the stainless steel with salmon dial version, which Breitling calls ‘Copper’.
The Breitling Premier B25 Datora ‘Copper’ has a dial that really looks like the collector-coveted salmon and the model’s uncanny resemblance to Patek Philippe 5270P takes it a notch higher. The dial contains a lot of information, yet maintains a clean look. In addition to minutes and seconds sub-dials at 3 and 9 o’clock, the watch has a calendar. At 6 o’clock, the sub-register houses a beautiful moonphase function and a date indicator. Additionally, there’s a day and a month window below 12 o’clock. The common complaint about date and calendar displays is how they interrupt a dial’s symmetry. Still, on a calendar watch like the Datora, everything is executed with finesse and perfect balance, including the Arabic numerals.
Key Specifications:
- Model: AB2510201K1P1
- Case Size: 42mm
- Material: Stainless Steel
- Dial: Copper/Salmon
- Bezel: Stainless Steel
- Bracelet: Brown Alligator Strap
- Movement: Breitling B25, Automatic
6. Zenith Elite Moonphase (Ref: 03.3100.692/03.C923)
Zenith is well known for its high-frequency and phenomenal chronograph calibre El Primero that animates the bold, sporty timepieces, but for it’s dressier and sober models, the brand often switches to its other in-house Calibre, the Elite. Running this handsome dress watch with a whimsical moonphase function is the Elite 692 automatic calibre.
We have a striking no-date version inside the 40.5mm stainless steel case, available in grey dial with a sunray-pattern. The pleated effect of the pattern adds depth. The moonphase function loads charm to the display, while the seconds indicator is displayed at 9 o’clock, not in a sub-dial form but with 4 small indexes to keep the dial intact. The moon-phase indication in a blue circular window with rhodium-plated Moon stands out amidst the monochromatic background. The phases of the Moon are adjustable via the crown present on the side of the steel case. Joining the moonphase are rhodium-plated indexes and faceted hands.
Key Specifications:
- Model: 03.3100.692/03.C923
- Case Size: 40.5mm
- Material: Stainless Steel
- Dial: Slate-Grey
- Bezel: Stainless Steel
- Bracelet: Grey Alligator Strap
- Movement: ELITE 692, Automatic
7. Rolex Cellini (Ref: 50535)
When you imagine a Rolex, it is usually purpose-built, sporty, casual, and not in the dressiest section. However, in 2014, Rolex changed this narrative with the Cellini collection (a dedicated line of dress watches). And then Rolex did something no one could possibly think of The Crown doing – a Cellini Moonphase, indicating hours, minutes, seconds, date and the moon phase. It’s a stunning dress watch, drawing hints from the 1950s.
Talking of the display, the date is indicated by a long central hand, and there’s a date track on the dial’s periphery. But contrary to other moon watches, the Rolex Cellini Moonphase uses a slightly different display to indicate the Moon, which is now a full disc (instead of the semi-circular windows showing a partial indication of the Moon), with both the full and new Moon, meaning the disc rotates once every month. The Moon’s age is marked by a triangular gold marker present right beneath the hands’ centre. Correct the age of the Moon with the recessed pusher at 8, using a dedicated tool. Rolex achieves the blue colour using an enamelling process with the stars and the new Moon in gilt colour. The Moon is crafted from a meteorite disc with intricate details. This Moon is further enhanced by a double gold ring, adding depth to the dial. The whole display is very pleasant and satisfying to the eyes.
Key Specifications:
- Model: 50535
- Case Size: 39mm
- Material: 18ct Everose Gold
- Dial: White Lacquered
- Bezel: 18ct Everose Gold, Fluted
- Bracelet: Brown Alligator Strap
- Movement: Calibre 3195, Automatic
8. Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Perpetual Calendar Ultra-Thin (Ref: 26586TI.OO.1240TI.01)
A top-tier watch? The Audemars Piguet Royal Oak is one of the most sought-after timepieces in the world. Now make it extra special with a Moon peeping at 12 o’clock – that’s the Royal Oak Perpetual Calendar Ultra-Thin for you. The ultra-thin Perpetual Calendar released by AP in 2019 has a titanium case, but the bezel and intermediate links in the bracelet are made of platinum. It is a limited edition of 200 pieces.
The highlight here remains the smoked blue dial featuring a high-flying astrological complication. Instead of the traditional tapisserie, the dial here is vertically brushed in dark blue and the sub-dials slightly recessed, adding depth. The moonphase sitting at 12 o’clock appears remarkable, featuring extreme detailing with a laser micro-structured moon laid on a star-studded sky made of aventurine. Accompanying it are white gold applied hour markers, luminous Royal Oak hands, day of the week overlapping with day/night indicator at 10 o’clock, the month with an overlapping leap year indicator at 2 o’clock and a date indicator at 6 o’clock. All this is possible thanks to the ingenious in-house Calibre 5133. Everything is cleverly and meticulously done, guaranteeing clear, uncluttered displays for quick readability.
Key Specifications:
- Model: 26586TI.OO.1240TI.01
- Case Size: 41mm
- Material: Titanium
- Dial: Blue
- Bezel: Platinum
- Bracelet: Titanium
- Movement: Calibre 5133, Automatic
9. Panerai Due Luna (Ref: PAM01179)
To date, the Luminor Due has remained simplistic, devoid of any complications except for a date display. The Luminor Due Luna deviates from the narrative by integrating a moonphase complication (Luna being the Italian word for Moon). This dress watch comes lean at 38mm and still maintains the brand’s unmistakable design cues like the distinct cushion case, sandwich dial and curved Arabic and baton hour markers.
The base steel model has a blue ‘sunburst’ dial. Originally a time-only model, the Due Luna has received a facelift with a well-sized moonphase display at 3 o’clock. The moon phase disc construction comprises a gold moon against the dark night sky. It sits within a traditional semi-circular aperture. The Moon is made of solid 24ct gold that’s been finely engraved with details, resembling the actual lunar surface. The night sky in the background has a fine-grained finish with scattered sphere-like stars, which appear unusual compared to the stars found on most moon phase pieces. Panerai opts for golden luminous hands and small seconds to complement the moon indicator, yet the Arabic numerals and baton markers remain without colour. The P.900/MP Calibre running inside provides a three-day power reserve.
Key Specifications:
- Model: PAM01179
- Case Size: 38mm
- Material: Stainless Steel
- Dial: Blue
- Bezel: Stainless Steel
- Bracelet: Shiny Blue Alligator Strap
- Movement: Calibre P.900/MP, Automatic
Final Note
Moonwatches have captivated watch enthusiasts for decades, and their appeal shows no sign of slowing down. These pieces combine the practicality of timekeeping with the allure of celestial beauty, making them a desirable addition to any collection.
A luxury watch with a moonphase complication is more than just a tool to keep track of time; it reflects human fascination with the cosmos, a symbol of craftsmanship and a piece that sparks conversation. From their early use as navigational tools to their modern-day interpretations as symbols of luxury and sophistication, moon phase watches have come a long way to remind us of our deep connection to the mundane world and the mysteries of the universe. Whether you prefer the classic elegance of Rolex Cellini or the exclusivity of the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Perpetual Calendar, there’s a moon phase watch to suit every style and taste. However, as you navigate the world of moonphase watches, remember to approach with knowledge, passion and a discerning eye to pick a standout piece that brings both horological depth and enduring charm to the wrist. After all, what could be more captivating than tracking time by the rhythm of the Moon?
