The Ox & Junior "Ox Selene Nebula" is based on the Nebra Disc, the oldest astronomical disc known to mankind.

Ochs & Junior, a watch brand from Lucerne, Switzerland, continues to create unique watches with minimalist designs and innovative mechanisms. The brand is led by Dr. Ludwig Oechslin. The Ochs Selene Nebula, which the brand announced at the end of 2023, is a moon phase watch based on the oldest astronomical dial in human history.

The motif is the Nebra Disc, the oldest astronomical disc known to mankind.

　At the end of 2023, Ox & Junior announced a new addition to its Ox Selene Nebula collection, featuring a moon phase function. According to the brand, the dial finish, which is based on the "Nebula Disc" motif, is the most eye-catching feature of Ox & Junior's products.

　The unique dial pattern was created in 2012-2013 after a Swiss customer requested a dial with a nebula disc motif.

　The Nebra Disc is a bronze disc decorated with gold that was unearthed in Germany in 1999. The gold is said to represent the sun, moon, and stars, and the disc is thought to be the oldest astronomical disc ever made, dating back to the Bronze Age. Research into the Nebra Disc is still ongoing, but for Ox & Jr., it was the perfect motif for the moon phase mechanism found in the Ox Selene Nebra watch.

　Developed by Dr. Ludwig Oechslin, this moon phase mechanism boasts incredible precision, with an error of just one day every 3478.27 years, and is controlled by a five-part planetary gear mechanism based on the ETA automatic movement Cal. 2824-2.

　The center of the dial represents the Earth, and the large dot at 12 o'clock represents the Sun. When the Moon is opposite the Sun at 6 o'clock, it is a full moon. When the Moon is hidden between the Sun and the Earth at 12 o'clock, it is a new moon. The dark circle at 6 o'clock represents a new moon.

Uniquely designed time and date display

　Of course, the Ox Selene Nebula also features a time and date display.

　The 31 holes around the outer edge of the dial are the date display. The bar indexes every 10 minutes also help make the date easier to read. For example, the 30-minute index is located on the 15th. Once you get used to this display style, you will find the date display intuitive.

　The date holes, spaced every two minutes, allow the time to be read down to the minute and second. The holes display the even minutes, while the spaces between them display the odd minutes. The diameter of the date holes and the spacing between them are exactly the same as the width of the minute hand.

Equipped with an ultra-precise moon phase function

　The movement, based on the ETA 2824-2, is equipped with a five-part planetary gear mechanism that rotates the moon disc counterclockwise. This lunar cycle is calculated based on a lunar cycle of 29.5306122449 days. This means that it takes 3478.27 years for the time to deviate by one day. This is an astonishing level of accuracy compared to typical moon phase watches, which use a cycle of approximately 29.5 days and will deviate by one day after two years.

　The movement is housed in a grade 5 titanium case, also designed by Ludwig Oechslin, and is available in two case sizes, 39mm and 42mm, and comes with an Ecopel strap designed by product designer Sabina Brager.