Top 10 Best Moon Phase Watches
Welcome to VintageRadar and our list of top 10 best moon phase watches for men and women. We have put together a list that will contain big watch brands, great in-built quality watches, some unknown or less known watch brands, and some vintage moonphase watches. All together, let's dive into our best 10 moon phase watches.
Over the years we have seen a considerable increase in the desire for moonphase watches. So, what is a moon phase watch, how does it work and what extra information do we get from it?
Make sure to check out our collection of vintage moon phase watches here!
How does a moon phase watch work?
A moon phase watch shows you the current phase of the moon as you see it in the sky. As our orbiting pet rock passes across the sky, so does its miniature version in the watch travel around, displayed in an aperture on the dial. You can follow the slow progress of this movement over the course of 29,5 days.
From new moon to full moon and back again the complete rotation is 29 and a half days, providing a regular cycle that has been the life cycle for many numbers of things over the centuries such as pagan celebrations and paychecks.
1. Patek Philippe Grand Complications Celestial Mechanical (Automatic) Blue Dial Mens Watch
The Moon phase Patek Philippe Grand Complications Celestial watch is maybe the most expensive, complicated, luxurious and impressive watch with a moon phase function out there. Founded in 1839, Patek Philippe is one of the oldest watch manufacturers in the world with an uninterrupted watchmaking history since its founding. This tells a lot about brand standards and the experience gathered over a period of almost 2 centuries.
Keep in mind that Patek Philippe produces all of their watches in-house and each watch takes years to be produced since each watch is handmade and hand-assembled by a professional watchmaker. All details are carved in gold, silver, steel or platinum and polished under the microscope, then tested for the highest quality, details and either move forward or adjust.
This is why this watch and particular brand stands in the first position. This is a watch than only watch collectors can afford and find. The price ranges between $180,000 and $300,000 depending on materials used, variations, being a very limited edition or not and whether it is new or previously owned.
The watch features a 43mm 18k white gold case surrounding a blue Celestial dial on a brand new black alligator strap with an 18k white gold tang buckle. Functions include hours minutes moon phase and astronomic display.
2. A. Lange & Sohne Saxonia Moon Phase 18kt Rose Gold Automatic Black Dial
The A. Lange & Sohne is a German old watch manufacturer brand that ceased to exist at some point and reopened its gates in 1990 with the help of Walter Lange, the great-grandson of Ferdinand Adolph Lange. The A. Lange & Sohne Saxonia Moon Phase 18kt Rose Gold Automatic is the one on the right but they also have the white gold version.
This watch model is minimalist, with a different type of elegance compared to the first one. Just like Patek Philippe, A. Lange & Sohne is a world-class brand and Lange's movements are developed, produced, and assembled by Lange itself.
The price tag for a new Saxonia Moon Phase 18kt gold watch is around $25,000 making it 10 times cheaper compared to the Patek Philippe Grand Complications.
3. IWC Portuguese Perpetual Calendar Hemisphere Moon Phase (IW502103)
IWC Schaffhausen is a luxury Swiss watch manufacturer located in Schaffhausen, Switzerland. The IWC Portuguese Perpetual Calendar Hemisphere Moon Phase is another Swiss masterpiece that features a 44.2mm 18k rose gold case surrounding a black dial on a brown alligator strap with an 18k rose gold deployant buckle. Functions include hours, minutes, day, date, month, moon phase, perpetual calendar, and power reserve indicator.
IWC is notable for being the only major Swiss watch manufacturer located in eastern Switzerland, as the majority of the well-known Swiss watch manufacturers are located in western Switzerland. The price for this Moon Phase is $23,000.
4. Glashutte Original Senator Mechanical (Automatic) Black Dial Mens Watch
The Glashutte Original Senator Mechanical is an automatic gold luxury watch with high attention to detail. Minimalism and utility are incredibly well-blended together, making it a great entry-level luxury gold moon phase watch. You get a self-winding automatic watch that features a 42mm 18k rose gold case, with the option of choosing the white or black dial, and a 2-year watch box warranty.
Glashütte Original is a prestigious German watchmaking company founded in 1994 by the privatization of VEB Glashütter Uhrenbetriebe (GUB). So far we have two German and two Swiss watch manufactures competing between them and pushing watchmaking technology, time accuracy, and design to the next level.
You will find this Glashutte Senator watch under $19,000 in brand-new condition.
5. Blancpain Fifty Fathoms Mechanical (Automatic) Blue Dial
The Blancpain Fifty Fathoms Mechanical features a 45 mm stainless steel case, surrounding a blue dial, paired with a blue canvas strap with a stainless steel tang buckle. Functions include hours, minutes, small seconds, day, date, month, moon phase, and flyback chronograph.
We have jumped from expensive materials such as gold to the stainless steel case. Minimalism in watch dial design is no longer available as this is a big 45mm timepiece with a chronograph watch function, 3 sub-dials, date function, and moon phase function. Everything is there.
Founded by Jehan-Jacques Blancpain in Villeret, Switzerland in 1735, Blancpain is the oldest surviving watchmaking brand in the world. Since 1992 Blancpain has been a subsidiary of the Swiss Swatch Group.
$17,000 is the price of a new one.
6. Breitling Navitimer Olympus Mechanical (Automatic)
The Breilting Navitimer Olympus (K1934012G524) self-winding automatic watch features a 43mm 18k yellow gold case surrounding a silver dial and is priced between $13,000 and $16,000, depending on the watch band material. Alongside with Rolex, Breitling is one of the most popular luxury watch brand and also one which is quite affordable. Entry-level Breitling watches start from $,2000 - $3,000 offering you great design, watch quality and accurate timekeeping.
Yes, another Swiss-made watch brand. The company was founded in 1884 by Léon Breitling in Saint-Imier. Breitling is known for precision-made chronometers designed for aviators.
7. Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Ultra Thin Moon (Q1362520)
In case you did not notice already, most major watch manufacturers are Swiss-made, the Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Ultra Thin Moon making no exception. Compared to all previous watches, this is the first watch with a case diameter smaller than 40mm. It features a 39mm 18k rose gold case surrounding an eggshell dial, on a brand new brown alligator strap with an 18k rose gold tang buckle.
Jaeger-LeCoultre is a Swiss luxury watch and clock manufacturer founded by Antoine LeCoultre in 1833 and is based in Le Sentier, Switzerland. Since 2000, the company has been a fully owned subsidiary of the Swiss luxury group Richemont. Once again, we see a simple watch dial with no extra hands or features except the main watch functions and the moon phase dial.
A used version will cost around $12,000 - $14,000
8. Corum Admiral's Cup Ac-One 45 Tides - 45mm Automatic Titanium Case
The Corum Admiral's Cup Ac-One 45 is the first watch in our list under $10,000 and probably the least known Swiss brand out there from our entire list. With a history of over 65 years, Corum is known for its limited-edition watches. You get a big 45mm watch dial with intricate detailing, something similar to Invicta Pro Diver watches.
Corum is a Swiss watchmaker based in La Chaux-de-Fonds, Canton of Neuchâtel. Founded in 1955, it makes high-quality and high-price watches, many of which are limited editions. The benchmark watch series for Corum is its "Admiral's Cup" series.
The price for this blue limited edition Corum Admiral is $7,600.
9. Frederique Constant Men's FC705S4S6B Slim Line Analog Display Swiss Automatic
The Frederique Constant Men's FC705S4S6B is a luxury Swiss moon phase watch under $5,000, making it one of the best entry-level luxury moon phase watches in the world. Although the watch brand has under 50 years of existence, it is now being owned by Citizen, the largest Japanese watch manufacturer after Seiko.
The watch has a silver-tone dial, case and watch strap. The price of a new one is $3,750.
Frédérique Constant SA is a manufacturer of luxury wristwatches based in Plan-les-Ouates, Geneva. It was acquired in 2016 by Citizen Holdings of Tokyo, Japan. The company was established in 1988 by Dutch entrepreneur Peter Stas and his wife, Aletta Stas-Bax.
10. Longines Master Collection Mens Watch
On the last place, given the lowest price on our list, is the Longines Master Collection Men's Watch which is priced at around $2,500 - $3,000. This automatic chronograph moon phase wristwatch has a 42mm case diameter and a power reserve of 46 hours.
Longines is a well-known and respected brand making accessible Swiss timepieces for most people. Not everybody will afford a Rolex, A.P., A. Lange & Sohne or Patek Philippe but this is a great price for a very well-made watch.
Founded by Auguste Agassiz in 1832, the company has been a subsidiary of the Swiss Swatch Group since 1983. Its winged hourglass logo, which was registered in 1889, is the oldest unchanged yet still an active registered trademark.
Buying a Moon Phase Watch
Buying your first moon phase watch might be a challenge and maybe not worth investing so much money. We invite you to browse through our collection of vintage Moonphase watches and find timepieces that are under $200 with the exception of some rare pieces like Jules Jurgensen watches.
Here are some examples of the watches we have in stock right now:
Armitron Moon Phase Watch for Men & Women
Jules Jurgensen Moon Phase Watch | Vintage Jules Jurgensen Watch
Find the perfect Moon Phase watch with Vintage Radar
We hope that you have enjoyed our top 10 Best Moon Phase Watches and have learned a little about this type of watch and some German and Swiss watch brands. Buying a watch is a great investment in yourself and which might also hold or grow in value over time. Make sure to contact us if you have any questions or need some advice.
We hope this guide has been insightful for you. If you have any questions or need help choosing a vintage watch from our platform, don't hesitate to contact us or leave us a comment below.