The Moon Phase, explained by our talking complication
Hello lovelies, I am a Moon Phase crafted by H. Moser & Cie. My watchmaker says that I am one of the earliest complications ever made. (He’s quite charming…I think he’s a Virgo.) I am designed to dance to the rhythm of the moon. Think of me as a timely reminder of our place in the cosmos. Fun fact: if you set me up correctly, I can remain accurate for 1,027 years.
Don’t believe me? Well, watch my film. I’m sure you’ll be sufficiently dazzled.
The Moon Phase, explained by our watchmaker
The Moon Phase is one of my favourite complications. It is proof that high horology can be infused with a touch of magic. A Moon Phase complication tracks the lunar cycle, displaying the current phase of the moon. This poetic feature is a nod to ancient times, when lunar cycles were essential for timekeeping.
Mechanically, the complication usually operates via a disc that has two identical moons painted on it. This disc rotates slowly beneath an aperture on the dial, which reveals a portion of the moon, representing its current phase. The typical Moon Phase watch will have a 29.5-day cycle, which is an approximation of the moon’s actual lunar cycle of about 29.53 days. This means a typical Moon Phase watch would be off by one day every 2 years, 7 months, and 20 days if not adjusted.
At H. Moser & Cie. we have found an elegant way of incorporating this complication into our collections. The Endeavour Perpetual Moon, for instance, is a visual delight that can also boast of being one of the most accurate moon phases in horology, deviating by only one day every 1,027 years. Even if I wasn’t an H. Moser & Cie. watchmaker, I’d be quite impressed.
Keep your eyes peeled, our talking watches have a lot more up their sleeves.
