Photo Courtesy of Longines
Cover South Korean actress and singer Suzy sports the 34mm Longines Master Collection moon phase watch (Photo: Longines)

Tatler handpicks the best luxury timepieces for the upcoming festival, which falls on September 10 this year

Every year, the Chinese communities around the world celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival on the 15th day of the eighth month of the Chinese lunar calendar. This celebration of the moon dates back over 3,000 years and a variation of the festival is celebrated across Asian cultures. Earth’s only satellite has captivated humans for millennia, with scientists, romantics, poets and now watchmakers channelling the moon’s influence.

Before the current age of mechanical timekeeping, our ancestors used the phases of the moon and position of the sun to tell time and track the seasons. In the modern evolution of this ancient instinct, a lunar phase aperture has become a favourite within haute horology for the way it enhances the aesthetics of luxury timepieces, making watches that are ideal for gifting (or keeping), especially during Asia’s festival of the harvest.

Here are the best moon phase timepieces of 2022, each paying homage to culture, science, art and history.

1. Cartier

Tatler Asia
Photo Courtesy of Cartier
Above (Photo: Cartier)
Tatler Asia
Photo Courtesy of Cartier
Above (Photo: Cartier)

The Moonphase Pasha de Cartier was revealed at Watches and Wonders 2022, featuring a circular moon phase movement set in an illustrated night sky and housing a Manufacture 1904 LU MC movement. The watch is available in an all gold or steel version.

2. Harry Winston

Tatler Asia
Photo Courtesy of Harry Winston
Above (Photo: Harry Winston)
Tatler Asia
Photo Courtesy of Harry Winston
Above (Photo: Harry Winston)

Harry Winston’s Avenue Classic Moon Phase timepieces are available in three colours. The aperture for the moon phase appears at six o’clock, decorated with a semi-circle of brilliant-cut diamonds. Made of 18-karat gold, the watch is powered by a high precision Swiss quartz movement. The timepiece wraps the wrist with an alligator strap that matches the colour of the dial, but it can be replaced by 18-karat gold bracelets set with or without diamonds.

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3. Longines

Tatler Asia
Photo Courtesy of Longines
Above (Photo: Longines)

Although it was originally launched to fit men’s wrists, the 34mm Longines Master Collection is made for the contemporary woman. The mother-of-pearl dial is complemented by a delicate moon phase movement and diamond hour markers. The timepiece is run by the L899.5 automatic calibre and is equipped with a lightweight silicon balance spring. The silver barleycorn-patterned dial is characteristic of the original Master Collection, making it the highlight of this piece.

4. Montblanc

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Photo Courtesy of Montblanc
Above (Photo: Montblanc)

The 42mm Montblanc Star Legacy LE1786 blue capsule reinterprets the original Star Legacy launched in 1997 with a striking moon phase movement. The rose gold-plated moon and stars elegantly sit atop a glacier patterned dial, all encircled by a date indicator. Rose gold hour indicators and minute and hour hands complement the blue tones of the watch.

See also: What Are NFT Watches? Here's What You Should Know

5. Vacheron Constantin

Tatler Asia
Photo Courtesy of Vacheron Constantin
Above (Photo: Vacheron Constantin)

The new Overseas perpetual calendar ultra-thin skeleton exposes the calibre 1120 QPSQ/1 with a gorgeous 18-karat rose gold openworked dial. A sawtooth-edged moon phase aperture appears at six o’clock on the deep blue dial. The rose gold bracelet and crown give the timepiece a sophisticated look.

 

 

6. Audemars Piguet

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Audemars Piguet
Above (Photo: Audemars Piguet)

Earlier this year Audemars Piguet unveiled the latest model of its Code 11.59 by Audemars Piguet perpetual calendar. The timepiece features an 18-karat white gold case and a midnight blue dial in aventurine glass. The moon phase is laser engraved at six o’clock, while a rubber-coated calfskin strap fastens the watch to the wearer’s wrist.

 

7. Jaeger-LeCoultre

Tatler Asia
Photo Courtesy of Jaeger-LeCoultre
Above (Photo: Jaeger-LeCoultre)

30 years since the launch of Jaeger-LeCoultre’s Master Control, the maison has launched its latest model in the series. The 40mm stainless steel watch is powered by the automatic calibre 866 and boasts a 70-hour power reserve. The brown calfskin strap comes with a steel buckle that holds it in place.

8. A. Lange & Söhne

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Photo Courtesy of A. Lange & Söhne
Above (Photo: A. Lange & Söhne)

The Little Lange 1 Moon Phase by A. Lange & Söhne is inspired by the beauty of the supermoon—a phenomenon that occurs three or four times in a year. The moon phase movement is aesthetically enhanced with a white gold moon, and the dial of the 18-karat white gold model is coated with dark blue gold flux—resembling a starry night sky. The twin mainspring barrel and the balance spring are manufactured in-house by the luxury watchmaker. This model is also available with a diamond-set bezel.

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