Space is fascinating. The desire to explore this vast world is expressed through moon phases, meteorite dials, and starry skies. We present a selection of astronomical watches.
Text by Alexander Krupp
Articles published in March 2019
Patek Philippe
"5726/1A Nautilus Annual Calendar"
The Nautilus with annual calendar and moon phase, released by Patek Philippe in 2019, features a blue dial with the iconic horizontally embossed motif, featuring a light blue center and a black gradient that deepens to a subtle black edge for a subtle gradient effect. The annual calendar mechanism was invented and patented by Patek Philippe in 1996. The day of the week and month are displayed in two apertures at 12 o'clock. At 6 o'clock, a high-precision moon phase display, which only needs to be adjusted once every 122 years, is surrounded by a 24-hour indicator. The baton-shaped hands are crafted from 18K white gold and coated with luminous paint.
Rolex
"Oyster Perpetual GMT-Master II"
This model features a meteorite dial. It features a white gold case and a three-link Oyster bracelet, and was released in 2019. The unique pattern on the dial complements the hour, minute, and second hands, as well as the red hand that displays the second time zone, providing excellent visibility. The blue and red bezel is bidirectionally rotatable, allowing for the display of a third time zone.
Hermès
"Arceaux L'Heure de la Lune"
Hermès' Arceau L'Heure de la Lune combines two mother-of-pearl and aventurine dials. One of the mother-of-pearl subdials displays the hours, while the other displays the date. Both constantly rotate around the center of the aventurine dial. As the subdials move, the two moons are gradually covered, with the visible portions representing the phases of the moon in the northern and southern hemispheres. The moon phase, which indicates the age of the moon in the southern hemisphere, is displayed at 12 o'clock on the dial.
Bovet
"Recital 26 Brainstorm Chapter One"
Bovet aims to reach new heights in watchmaking with the Récital 26 Brainstorm Chapter One. This timepiece features a sapphire crystal case that slopes downward toward 6 o'clock and combines a series of complications. Bovet's patented double-face flying tourbillon occupies the large aperture at 6 o'clock and serves as the seconds display. The hours and minutes are displayed by gold hands on an off-center dial toward 12 o'clock. Above it, a three-dimensional, hemispherical moon phase display follows the curvature of the dial. The surface of the moon dome is engraved, and the engraved surface is filled with Super-LumiNova®. Two circular apertures and an aventurine glass plate create a realistic starry moon phase display. A large date display is set within a ring at 8 o'clock. A 10-day power reserve indicator is located at 4 o'clock.
Jaeger LeCoultre
"Rendez-Vous Celestial" "Northern Lights" Edition
The Rendez-Vous Celestial "Northern Lights" edition features mother-of-pearl and polychrome sapphire crystal, embellished with Jaeger-LeCoultre's meticulous gem-setting and hand-painting techniques. The floral numerals on the dial, a hallmark of the Rendez-Vous collection, are curved and gradated in size, encasing a hand-painted star chart, the symbols of the constellations, and the names of the months, framed in rose gold. Showing the night sky above the Vallée de Joux, Jaeger-LeCoultre's home base, the chart allows viewers to follow the constellations as they change in real time. The Jaeger-LeCoultre Caliber 809/1 automatic mechanical movement gently rotates the disc counterclockwise, synchronizing with the movement of the stars over a period of 23 hours, 56 minutes, and 4 seconds.
