Of all the complications that exist, many would agree that the moonphase is the most romantic one. Mimicking the real-time waning and waxing of the moon as it is the sky above you, a moonphase complication might not serve any functional use, say like the tourbillon or the perpetual calendar, but there is no denying its poetic beauty. The moonphase complication has existed since the sixteenth century, but its popularity doesn’t ever seem to dim. At the recently concluded Watches and Wonders 2002, these were the six best moonphase watches that we loved.

Patek Philippe Annual Calendar Travel Time Ref 5326G-001

Combining two complications, the annual calendar and travel time, Patek Philippe unveiled the Annual Calendar Travel Time. The 41mm white gold watch comes with a charcoal grey textured dial with a gradation that darkens towards the edges. The moonphase window rests at 6 o'clock, coupled with the small seconds. Given that the watch can present time in two time zones, there is also day / night indicator for the local and home time via apertures at 8 o'clock and 4 o’clock.

The wearer can adjust the calendar indications with small correctors in the caseband, which features a Clous de Paris hobnail guilloched pattern. Inside beats the automatic Caliber 31-260 PS QA LU FUS 24H featuring upgrades that reduce the energy consumption of certain components when adjusting the date switch from the 30th to the 1st, and from the 1st to the 30th without making any changes to the calendar that could damage the movement of the moonphase.

Price: Upon request

Vacheron Constantin Traditionnelle Perpetual Calendar Ultra-Thin (Refs 4305T/000G-B948 and 4305T/000R-B947)

In this ladies timepiece, of which there are two versions in white gold (with a blue-grey mother-of-pearl dial) and pink gold (with a white mother-of-pearl dial) Vacheron Constantin has created a beautiful moonphase watch. The 36.5mm watches feature the day ring at 9 o’clock, month and leap year ring at 12 o’clock, and date ring at 3 o’clock; the moonphase is placed at 6 o'clock. The bezel and lugs are diamond studded, and the alligator leather straps, interchangeable. Powered by the automatic Calibre 1120 QP, the watch is water-resistant to 30 metres.

Price: Upon request

Arnold & Sons Perpetual Moon 38 Eclipse 1

This 38mm white gold watch is a highly artistic expression of a moonphase watch, and is limited to just 18 pieces. The moonphase indicator is the focal point of the dial, resting under a laser-cut aventurine dial that is studded with 35 brilliant cut diamonds, 3 pear-cut diamonds, and pink and blue sapphires. Underneath the aventurine dial is the starry sky between 10 and 2 o’clock, made of blue-tinted mother-of-pearl, with hand-painted stars and two moons discs in ruthenium crystal. Powered by the A&S1612 calibre, the moonphase indicator has an accuracy of 122 years.

Price: Upon request

Jaeger-LeCoultre Polaris Perpetual Calendar

A perpetual calendar in the sporty Polaris stands out beautifully, and with it, the moonphase complication that rests at 6 o’clock, and presents the moonphases in both hemispheres (the space is also shared by a date indicator). The watch is a 42mm stainless steel or pink gold one, featuring a gradient dark blue lacquered dial with three sub-dials for the calendar functions. There is also rotating inner bezel, which can be used to measure elapsed times. Powering it is the Calibre 868AA, an evolution of the in-house QP calibre 868 that appeared in 2013.

Price: Upon request

Ulysse Nardin Executive Moonstruck Worldtimer

This 100 piece, limited edition watch comes on a 46mm platinum or 18K rose gold case is the only watch that depicts the movement of both the moon and the sun as seen from Earth. The watch gets three concentric discs, with the outermost disc features the symbol representing the sun. The solar disc completes one revolution in 24 hours, is viewed over 24 time zones, and comes with a day and night indicator. This Moonstruck Worldtimer is the only astronomical watch where the bright part of the moon faces the sun as it happens in real life.

Price: Upon request

Also Read: Two New Watches Join the Jaeger-Lecoultre Master Control Collection

Vacheron Constantin Overseas Perpetual Calendar Ultra-Thin Skeleton

The Overseas line is a cornerstone of the Vacheron Constantin universe, and the latest addition to it is the skeleton Perpetual Calendar Ultra-Thin. With blue counters to mark the day, date and month counters, the moonphase of this watch is an artistically created sub-counter at 9 o’clock. The 41mm pink gold watch, powered by the Calibre 1120 QPSQ/1 openworked perpetual calendar can also be flanked by a blue calf leather or blue rubber strap.

Price: Upon request  

Images: Courtesy Watches and Wonders