15 Watches That Do More Than Tell Time

MOON PHASE
An indicator that basically tells you if it’s a full, half, quarter or new moon in the sky above, this function first found its way onto pocket-watch dials in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Originally designed to determine the tides, crop harvests and religious ceremonies, it also brings a watch’s dial to life. The fact that the current phase of the moon is shown graphically on the dial is what makes such a watch so different from other complications and so much more fun to wear.

JAEGER-LECOULTRE
While a classic moon phase shows a one-day deviation every two and a half years, the Rendez-Vous Moon is destined to remain accurate for 972 years — an eternity by most standards. Mother of pearl adorns the dial along with a moving star and a stylised arc of elongated numerals.

MONTBLANC
Inspired by Vasco da Gama’s pioneering spirit and skilful navigation, the Heritage Chronométrie Quantième Annuel Vasco da Gama features a moon-phase display at six o’clock, embedded in a depiction of the starry firmament in the southern hemisphere. Here, the Southern Cross is readily visible, especially the delicate reddish colour of the star named Gamma.

HUBLOT
A skeleton watch featuring contemporary design and a full calendar displaying the moon phases, the Classic Fusion Aeromoon is dressed in lunar greys for a modish look. The central focus here is the moon phase, emphasised remarkably well among everything going on in the background, and the lunar cycle can be observed through the round window at six o’clock.

LONGINES
The Conquest Classic Moonphase celebrates the refined elegance of equestrian sports and echoes the magnificence of the night sky. Among other functions, the watch combines a chronograph with a moon-phase display while the black or silver dial is set with nine applied indices coated with Super-LumiNova and the date is indicated by a half-moon-tipped central hand.

JAQUET DROZ
In an aesthetic interpretation that combines understated elegance and watchmaking sophistication, the brand has introduced new versions of their Éclipse in two refined styles — available in aventurine in its 39-mm format and gray opaline for the 43-mm model. The fine balance of lines and the set of lance-shaped and serpentine hands are complemented by the stars surrounding the moon on the dial.

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