The moon has certainly stirred the imagination of many popular watchmakers. In the early 1960’s, Bulova, Longines, Wittnauer and Omega were in competition to produce the very first watch to be worn on the moon during the Apollo 11 mission to the moon in 1969.
Although American watchmakers Bulova and Wittnauer had the domestic edge, Swiss watchmaker Omega won out with the Speedmaster mechanical timepiece which featured a Plexiglas crystal and dust-proof elements, two essential characteristics necessary for the moon landing.
More notably, lunar timepieces have held a far longer heritage in the world of horology. For generations preeminent watchmakers Patek Philippe, Oris, Jaeger-LeCoultre, Franck Muller, Lucien Piccard, Omega, Chopard, IWC, Vacheron and Zenith have been producing Moon Phase timepieces.
Moon phase timepieces follow the progression of the moon in its different phases, from the new moon and first quarter to the full moon and last quarter. The different phases of the moon are presented on a window of the watch dial. A rotating disc on the dial displays the portion of the moon as it could be seen from the earth. The cycle is designed to feature the actual 29.54 life cycles of new moon to new moon.
Popular Moon Phase watches are highlighted this week at luxury retailer TheWatchery.com with the March Moon Phase Time Event. Over forty Moon Phase timepieces are featured in the promotion, including highly sought-after styles from Maurice Lacroix, Oris, Egard, Frederique Constant, MOMO Design, Croton, Lucien Piccard, Akribos XXIV, Ingersoll and Invicta.
The Lucien Piccard Sierra multi-function men’s timepiece is an affordable moon phase watch choice. This transitional timepiece features the perfectly round 43mm diameter case in polished stainless steel, presented on a multi-link two-tone bracelet, highly polished to a mirror-bright glow.
The stationary rose gold-tone stainless steel bezel surrounds the attractive black dial with day, date and moon phase windows, rose-gold tone pie-cutter hands, baton and Roman numeral hour markers. Quality quartz movement inside provides precise time-keeping accuracy. Watch is water-resistant to 30 meters or 100 feet.
The Maurice Lacroix Les Classiques Automatic men’s timepiece is an excellent high-end lunar watch choice. Impressive in design and craftsmanship, this prestigious Swiss-made men’s watch has a perfectly round case expertly crafted in 18K yellow gold with satiny-smooth brushed finish.
An exhibition skeleton case back lets you see the intricate automatic movement inside. The silvery white dial features a moon phase window above the 6 o’clock hour, day of the week and month windows below the 12 o’clock hours, a date outer dial, yellow gold tone baton hands and baton hour markers.
Features include a scratch resistant sapphire crystal above the dial and water-resistance to 30 meters. Automatic watch is 40mm in diameter and 12mm thick.
Complimentary shipping and returns are included on all domestic purchases within the continental United States at TheWatchery.com.