What is a Moon Phase Watch?
From the ancient ages, the moon holds a mystical place in the history of human culture and life. Because the moon goes through phases, it appears to change shape a little bit every night. That’s why the moon looks different at certain times throughout the month. As the name suggest, a moon phase watch precisely tells you the current phase of the moon. It mimics the moon cycle on your wrist of what is actually in the sky.
The moon completes its orbit around the earth in 29 and a half days. During its orbit, the moon goes through phases. So, we see a full moon roughly once every twenty-nine and a half days or about once a month. A moon phase watch shows you all the eight moon phases from the new moon to Waning Crescent accurately. Just by looking at your watch, you can tell if the moon is three-quarters full or it’s a new moon tonight and which phase it is going through at the moment.
Moon Phase Watch Vs “Sun and Moon” Watch
Different watch brands use different ways to demonstrate the moon phases. The moon phase watch was originally invented purely out of need. In the beginning, it was mostly for the astronomers, scientists, sailors, and the people who needed to know this information.
Sometimes people confuse “Moon phase” watches with “Sun and Moon” watches. A “Sun and Moon” watch displays the sun and the moon to indicate the morning and night time. It does not display any stages/aspects of the moon. In our moon phase watch review, we kept one “sun and moon” watch to show you the difference.
So, if you are looking for a moon phase watch simply because you are fascinated by the moon or for more practical reasons, then we got you covered. Without further ado, let’s have a look at our top 10 moon phase watches.
Best Moon phase Watches in 2023 Reviews
Orient Men’s Sun and Moon Version 3 (Sun and Moon Watch)
Amazon customer ratings 4.4 out of 5
Specifications
| Crystal | Sapphire crystal |
| Case Diameter | 42.5 mm |
| Case Thickness | 14 mm |
| Bezel Material | Stainless steel |
| Movement | Automatic, hand-winding, hacking movement |
| Water Resistant | 50 meters |
Features
- Stainless steel case with a black leather strap
- Fixed stainless-steel bezel
- White dial with black hands and Roman numeral hour markers
- Minute markers around the outer rim
- Dial Type: Analog
- Date display between the 7 and 8 o’clock positions
- Two displays showing: day of the week and sun and moon
- F6B24 automatic movement with a 40-hour power reserve
- Scratch resistant sapphire crystal
- Transparent caseback
- Deployment clasp with a push button release
- Water resistant at 50 meters / 165 feet
Pros
- Elegant design
- Durable
- Great price for an automatic watch
Cons
- The dial is thick, so it might feel tighter under the cuffs
Summary
This is not an actual moon phase watch. The sun and the moon on the dial are more or less an AM/PM indicators that appear in the window at noon and midnight.
For less than $300, it is a great automatic watch to have. It keeps excellent time, has day, date, and 24-hour dial complications, and even has a bit of decoration on the movement (the rotor).
Do note that this is a large dress watch. The diameter could pass in a dress watch in modern times, but it is also very thick. It won’t easily slip under a shirt cuff. However, the effect of the thick, polished case and slightly domed crystal is eye-catching. It does have a display caseback so that you can see some of the inner workings of your watch.
Moon Phase Watches Under $300
Stuhrling Celestia 897 Classic Moon Phase Watch
Amazon customer ratings 4.8 out of 5
Specifications
| Crystal | Krysterna crystal |
| Case Diameter | 42 mm |
| Case Thickness | 9.5 mm |
| Bezel Material | Stainless steel |
| Movement | Swiss Quartz Ronda 706.1 movement |
| Water Resistant | 50 meters |
Features
- Dauphine hands
- Applied stick markers
- Stainless steel screw-down caseback
- Push/Pull onion-style crown with Stührling “S” logo
- 5 ATM water-resistant (50 meters/165 feet)
- Alligator embossed genuine leather strap (19mm wide)
Pros
- Classic design
- Comfortable to wear
- Affordable but doesn’t look cheap
Pros
- Because of its minimalist design, it might look too simple for some
Summary
Without a doubt, Stührling makes gorgeously handsome watches. Stührling has the stylish look of some of the high-end watches but for a fraction of the price. This classic moon phase watch was designed to capture the beauty of the stars on your wrist. It features an animated Moon Phase dial, contoured bezel, and finished with an embossed leather strap.
Moon Phase Watches Under $500
Zeppelin 7038-1 SERIES LZ129 HINDENBURG Moon Phase
Amazon customer ratings 4.3 out of 5
Specifications
| Crystal | Hesalite crystal |
| Case Diameter | 40 mm |
| Case Thickness | 11 mm |
| Bezel Material | Stainless steel |
| Movement | Swiss Quartz movement |
| Water Resistant | 30 meters |
Features
- Swiss Ronda 706B quartz movement
- Gold-tone stainless steel case, (40mm x 10mm)
- Solid screw-in back
- Hesalite crystal
- Handmade leather, buckle closure
- Water Resistant 30 meters
Pros
- Stylish retro design
- Great value
- Good quality leather band
Cons
- Complicated to setup
Summary
This watch looks exquisite. The German certificate of authenticity seals the deal. The gold-tone trim contrasts nicely with the sunburst silver dial. The watch face is a pleasing size (40 mm), large enough for everything to be clear, but it doesn’t feel too thick or bulky. The numbers all over the dial (even the small ones) are quite easy to read. Retro-style watch hands really stand out.
This is a timeless masterpiece. If you love vintage design, then you must have this watch in your collection. Under $500, this watch is a steal.
Moon Phase Watches Under $1000
Agelocer Bosch Moon Phases 6404A1
Amazon customer ratings 3.6 out of 5
Specifications
| Crystal | Synthetic sapphire |
| Case Diameter | 40 mm |
| Case Thickness | 11 mm |
| Bezel Material | Stainless steel |
| Movement | Cal. A4610 automatic mechanical movement |
| Water Resistant | 50 meters |
Features
- Automatic movement
- Self-winding
- 80-hours power reserve
- Transparent caseback
- Full moon phase dial
- Metal sculpture of the moon
- 27 Jewels
Pros
- Cowhide leather strap is soft, comfortable and durable
- Easy to adjust
Cons
- The design is not like any other dress watches
Summary
Agelocer is a Swiss watch brand. Their watches combine modern high technology and traditional time accuracy and the essence of time art. Young, sensual, and vivid are the vital elements of Agelocer’s watch designs.
This watch magnifies the traditional moon phase to the entire dial and shows the mysterious beauty of the vast universe with more space. The stars and the moon phase are within reach. It is more than just a timepiece; it is a work of art!
Glycine COMBAT CLASSIC 40 “MOONPHASE” GL0115
Amazon customer ratings 3.4 out of 5
Specifications
| Crystal | Sapphire crystal |
| Case Diameter | 40 mm |
| Case Thickness | 12.2 mm |
| Bezel Material | Stainless steel |
| Movement | Swiss Automatic Movement |
| Water Resistant | 50 meters |
Features
- Stainless steel case with a brown leather strap
- Silver dial with luminous silver-tone hands and index hour markers
- 24-hour markers
- Minute markers around the outer rim
- Glycine GL280 25-jewel automatic
- 38-hour power reserve
- Scratch-resistant sapphire crystal
- Transparent case back
- Water-resistant at 50 meters
Pros
- Classic Design
- Date window
- Reliable
Cons
- Not too many complications
Summary
Since its founding in 1914, Glycine has continuously produced fine Swiss watches at its factory in Bienne, Switzerland. Glycine is recognized as one of the pioneers for aviation and world-timer watches for pilots and frequent travelers. Today, the brand is well known for producing quality timepieces at affordable prices with an emphasis on reliable tool watches.
Backed by more than 100 years of expertise, the Glycine Combat 6 Classic Moonphase has all of the features of the original Combat 6 Classic, but it keeps track of the moon’s position at 6 o’clock. The hands, pips, and indices are painted with Super-LumiNova for visibility, while the window at 3 keeps track of the date. As for movement, the watch is powered by an in-house GL280 automatic movement of 25 jewels. The back of the case offers an exhibition of the movement at work. It is a must have Swiss watch for a great value.
Citizen Men’s AV3006-09E Moon Phase Flyback
Amazon customer ratings 4.1 out of 5
Specifications
| Crystal | Sapphire crystal |
| Case Diameter | 44 mm |
| Case Thickness | 14 mm |
| Bezel Material | Stainless steel |
| Movement | Japanese quartz |
| Water Resistant | 100 meters |
Features
- Eco-drive is fueled by light
- 1/5 second chronograph measures up to 12 hours
- Moon phase indicator
- Dual-coated anti-reflective sapphire glass crystal
- 12/24 hour time
- Water-resistant to 330 feet (100 M)
Pros
- Never need a battery
- Luminous hands and hour indices for easy accessibility to time in darkness
Cons
- The band could be a bit uncomfortable initially
Summary
Citizen Moon Phase Flyback is a unique watch. It displays moon phases differently than other watches moon phase watches. Instead of showing the moon phases, a hand indicates the current moon phase. The watch looks far more expensive than the labeled price and packed with many useful features with unique details on the dial. The anti-reflective dial window gives you the best view of your detailed dial. The watch has a rugged look and durable. So, it is a great watch for outdoor activities.
Moon Phase Watches Under $2000
Seiko SRX003P1 Premier Kinetic Drive Moon Phase
Amazon customer ratings 3.6 out of 5
Specifications
| Crystal | Sapphire crystal |
| Case Diameter | 41 mm |
| Case Thickness | 13 mm |
| Bezel Material | Stainless steel |
| Movement | Automatic movement |
| Water Resistant | 100 meters |
Features
- Stainless steel case with a black leather strap
- Fixed stainless steel bezel
- White dial with black hands and Roman numeral hour markers
- Minute markers around the outer rim
- Dial Type: Analog
- Four sub-dials
- Automatic movement
- Scratch-resistant anti-glare sapphire crystal
- Screw down case back
- Water-resistant at 100 meters / 330 feet
Pros
- Power reserve indicator
- Lots of features
Cons
- Dial looks busy for a dress watch
Summary
This is a stunningly beautiful dress watch with Moon Phase. It also comes with features like Power Reserve, Date, Day of the Week, and 24-hour complications. Because it is kinetic powered, that means you will never need to replace a battery. Your body movement powers the watch. This watch is from Seiko premier collections. The premier line has produced some of the best dress watches combining classic and modern designs with their innovative technology.
Moon Phase Watches Under $3000
The Longines Master Collection L2.773.4.78.3
Amazon customer ratings 3.9 out of 5
Specifications
| Crystal | Sapphire crystal |
| Case Diameter | 42 mm |
| Case Thickness | 14.5 mm |
| Bezel Material | Stainless steel |
| Movement | Swiss automatic movement |
| Water Resistant | 30 meters |
Features
- Silver-tone stainless steel case with a brown leather strap
- Fixed silver-tone stainless steel bezel
- Silver dial with blued steel hands and Arabic numeral hour markers
- Minute markers around the outer rim
- Day of the week and month appear below the 12 o’clock position
- Chronograph
- Three subdials
- Swiss automatic movement
- 46-hour power reserve
- Scratch-resistant sapphire crystal
- Pull/push crown
- Skeleton caseback
- Water-resistant at 30 meters
Pros
- Adjustable buckle
- High-quality strap
- Great value for a luxury watch
Cons
- The dial could be tricky to read at a quick glance
Summary
The Longines Master Collection L2.773.4.78.3 is a gorgeous watch with a highly polished case and a very finely-rendered dial. The watch looks and feels elegant and premium.
The day and month indications are nicely integrated into the minutes sub-dial of the chronograph, and the moon phase is just a pleasure to look at. The colors, white, black, and blue used on the dial compliments each other, and the hands and printings are quite attractive. The sapphire case-back gives a good view of the movement, which is well-decorated, certainly for this price-point. It is a beautiful timepiece with a lot of functions, timeless design, and an affordable price tag. If you are looking for a luxury watch then under $3000, its a bargain.
Frederique Constant Slimline Moonphase FC705X4S4
Amazon customer ratings 5 out of 5
Specifications
| Crystal | Sapphire crystal |
| Case Diameter | 42 mm |
| Case Thickness | 12 mm |
| Bezel Material | Stainless steel |
| Movement | Swiss automatic movements |
| Water Resistant | 30 meters |
Features
- 18kt rose gold case
- Fixed 18kt rose gold bezel
- Silver dial with rose gold hands and index hour markers
- Combination date and moonphase sub-dial
- Automatic movement
- 42-hour power reserve
- Scratch-resistant sapphire crystal
- Pull/push crown
- Transparent case back
Pros
- Elegant design
- Perfect dress watch
- In house movement
Cons
- Has no seconds hand
Summary
The Frederique Constant Manufacture Slimline Moonphase watch is one of the brand’s best-sellers. It has a great mix of elegance and modernity, combined with a traditional look.
Frederique constant is a relatively new Swiss watch brand from the 80s. In the scheme of things that is relatively young for a watch brand. But they’ve done the unimaginable in the watch industry. They focused on affordable and accessible luxury and went a step further and created their own in-house movements. Not every watch they make has an in-house movement, but this watch is one of them that do have their in-house movements. Under $3,000, the price is very reasonable for a luxury Swiss automatic watch. Quality watches like this from other manufacturers sell for over $10,000. That is called accessible luxury, but it is also a gorgeous well-executed watch.
Very refined and clean design dress watch with the beautiful moon phase, date complication at six o’clock, remarkable case design, and one of the most beautifully finished movements that I have ever reviewed on my blog before.
Baume & Mercier Clifton 10055
Amazon customer ratings 4.6 out of 5
Specifications
| Crystal | Sapphire crystal |
| Case Diameter | 43 mm |
| Case Thickness | 12 mm |
| Bezel Material | Stainless steel |
| Movement | Swiss automatic movement |
| Water Resistant | 50 meters |
Features
- Stainless steel case with a black leather strap
- Fixed stainless steel bezel
- Silver dial with rose gold-toned hands and alternating Arabic numeral and index hour markers
- Date scale around the outer rim
- Dial Type: Analog
- Day of the week and month display below the 12 o’clock position
- Moonphase display above the 6 o’clock position
- Automatic movement with a 42 hour power reserve
- Scratch-resistant sapphire crystal
- Pull/push crown
- Skeleton case back
- Water-resistant to 50 m (165 ft)
Pros
- Classic design
- Comes with two color options
- Can be worn with casual wears
Cons
- A little large at 43 mm for a dress watch
Summary
The Clifton 10055 is around 43 mm moon phase watch for men. A timeless black leather strap with a satin-finished steel case with sapphire dome. The gilt Arabic numerals around the silver-colored dial are reminiscent of the refinement and class of the 1950s era, while the moon phase complication at 6 o’clock adds an appealing degree of intrigue. This self-winding men’s timepiece has a weekday and month function at 12 o’clock and gilt hands sweeping the dial, including a pink-tipped central hand to indicate the day of the month with the blue date scale around the edge of the dial.
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