best moonphase watches from cheap to expensive

12 Best Moonphase Watches – The Top List of 2024

Wondering which is the best Moonphase watches to get in 2024 then we have compiled a list from affordable to expensive.

If you are unsure on how to set a moon phase, this complication includes the date, month, and year on a small accessory isn’t enough, watchmakers also included the ability to tell the moon’s phases with a single glance on your timepiece. 

Moonphase time pieces have been around since the 1900s but only expensive, luxury brands offer them.

The sophisticated mechanism needed to give this kind of information accurately and repeatedly for decades require extreme computation precision.

But thanks to the advent of quartz movements and digital technology, anyone can now own moonphase watches under $500.

Those who frequent the waters, like sailors and fishermen, will love the practical use of the moonphase.

But the beauty of the moonphase feature is also for watch enthusiasts who want to admire this horological milestone. 

The Best Moonphase Watches From Cheap To Expensive

You don’t have to spend a fortune to get a moonphase.

We’ve listed the cheapest you can buy and the most expensive ones you can invest on.

Casio Men’s AQW101-1AV

The 46mm AQW101-1AV features a mix of analog and digital display.

It has a resin case, a mineral crystal, a resin band, and a Japanese quartz movement.

It offers several functions including a temperature sensor, an EL backlight with an afterglow effect, a moonphase graph, a fishing mode option, 30 time zones, daylight saving feature, a 1/100-second stopwatch, a countdown timer, an alarm, a compass, and a calendar display.

The AQW101-1AV is one of the best affordable moonphase watches and its features make it a fisherman’s best friend. 

Pros:

  • Incredibly affordable for the multiple features it offers
  • Sturdy build to withstand rugged use
  • Lightweight and comfortable to wear
  • Water-resistant up to 200m

Cons:

  • It’s large and thick
  • It can be confusing to read
  • Inaccurate temperature reading
  • Steep learning curve to fully use the watch

Price: $45

 

Peugeot Men’s 14K Gold Plated Decorative Sun Moonphase watch

The 40mm Peugeot Moonphase watch has a gold-tone metal case, a mineral crystal, a genuine leather strap, an AM/PM indicator, Roman numeral hour markers, and a Japanese quartz movement. 

Pros:

  • Luxurious look
  • Affordable dress watch
  • Unisex size and style 

Cons:

  • No lume on hands
  • No date window
  • Cheap strap quality

Price: $50

 

Orient Sun and Moon Version 2

The 42.5mm Sun and Moon Version 2 has a stainless steel case, a scratch-resistant sapphire crystal, an exhibition case back, a leather strap, a date indicator, a moonphase subdial, a day subdial, Roman numeral hour markers, and an Orient calibre 46B40 automatic movement.

It’s available in either black or white dial variant.

Pros:

  • Looks fancy and dressy
  • Incredibly affordable for the features it offers
  • Power reserve of up to 40 hours
  • Water-resistant up to 50m

Cons:

  • No lume on hands
  • No hand-winding option
  • Silver hands on black dial color might be hard to see

Price: $200 to $400

 

Parnis Black Dial Moonphase

The 42mm Black Dial Moonphase has a stainless steel case, a scratch-resistant sapphire crystal, a genuine leather strap, a black dial with silver-tone markers, a power reserve indicator, a date window, and a 26-jewel Miyota automatic movement.

It has 3 subdials for indicating the day, date, and month.

Pros:

  • Looks expensive and sophisticated
  • Hackable movement
  • Water-resistant up to 50m

Cons:

  • No lume on hands
  • Busy look makes it hard to read the time
  • Subdials are hard to read

Price: $270

 

Frederique Constant Classic FC260WR5B6DBR

This model from Frederique Constant is one of the best moonphase watches under $500 on the list.

It has a clean, classic look and a reliable moonphase indicator.

The 40mm Classic FC260WR5B6DBR has a stainless steel case, a scratch-resistant sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating, an alligator leather strap, a moonphase subdial, Roman numeral hour markers, and a Japanese quartz movement.

It also has subdials for telling the day and date.

Pros:

  • Timeless, luxurious appeal
  • Legible watch face
  • Water-resistant up to 30m

Cons:

  • No lume on hands
  • No seconds hand
  • Markings at the back get removed easily

Price: $420

 

Seiko SRX003 Kinetic Moonphase

The 42mm SRX003 has a stainless steel case, a sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating, a genuine leather strap, a moonphase indicator, a day/date subdial, a power reserve indicator, Roman numeral hour markers, and a Seiko calibre 5D88 hybrid quartz movement.

Pros:

  • Sophisticated dress watch
  • Time is easy to read
  • Power reserve of up to 30 hours
  • Water-resistant up to 100m

Cons:

  • Watch face looks too busy
  • A bit thick and bulky
  • No lume on hands
  • Oversized crown

Price: $680 to $1,400

 

Certina DS- 8 Chronograph Moon Phase

The 41mm DS-8 Chronograph Moon Phase has a stainless steel case, a scratch-resistant sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating, a cowhide leather strap with butterfly clasp, a date window, a moonphase indicator, luminescent hands and markers, and a Swiss quartz movement.

It has chronograph subdials with 60-second and 12-hour counters.

Pros:

  • Luxurious and elegant design
  • Accurate hand movements
  • Available in a variety of color combinations
  • Water-resistant up to 100m

Cons:

  • Expensive for a quartz movement
  • It’s thick and heavy
  • Some color schemes make it hard to read the watch face

Price: $780

 

Orient Star Open-Heart Classic RE-AM0002L

The 40.5mm Open-Heart Classic has a stainless steel case, a scratch-resistant sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating, an exhibition case back, a moonphase subdial, a date indicator, an open-heart feature, a power reserve indicator, Roman numeral hour markers, and an Orient calibre 46SF7 manual-winding movement.

Pros:

  • Elegant dress watch with functional features
  • It has a moonphase and open-heart feature at the same time
  • Power reserve of up to 40 hours
  • Water-resistant up to 50m

Cons:

  • Watch face is hard to read
  • No lume on hands
  • Date reading can be difficult to discern

Price: $1,600

 

Longines Master L27394713

The 44mm Master L27394713 has a stainless steel case, a scratch-resistant sapphire crystal, a silver barleycorn textured dial, an alligator leather strap, an skeleton case back, a moonphase subdial, a day/night indicator, a day indicator, a 24-hour display, a date display, a small seconds subdial, Roman numeral hour markers, and a calibre L707.2 automatic movement. 

Pros:

  • Multi-functional design with a classic feel
  • Strap is of excellent quality
  • Power reserve of up to 48 hours
  • Water-resistant up to 30m

Cons:

  • Watch face looks too busy
  • No lume on hands
  • Can be hard to read under certain light conditions

Price: $2,700 to $3,900

 

Jaeger LeCoultre Master Calendar Automatic Q1558420

JLC has been around since the 1800s, crafting luxury watches with intricate features.

The Master Calendar is no exception with its moonphase function.

The 39mm Master Calendar has a stainless steel case, a scratch-resistant sapphire crystal, an exhibition case back, an alligator leather strap, an extra hand for indicating the date, a moonphase subdial with small seconds function, Arabic numeral hour markers, day and month windows, and a calibre JLC 866 automatic movement. 

Pros:

  • Elegant, timeless piece of artwork
  • Accurate timekeeping mechanism
  • Power reserve of up to 43 hours
  • Water-resistant up to 100m

Cons:

  • It’s quite expensive 
  • No lume on hands
  • Can be difficult to read under certain light conditions

Price: $8,000 to $9,800

 

Omega Speedmaster Moonwatch Professional Chronograph 3576.50.00

Omega is a brand known for its functionality and sporty look.

This particular model adds flair to its already stunning features with the inclusion of a moonphase function.

The 42mm Speedmaster Moonwatch has a stainless steel case, a scratch-resistant sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating, a tachymeter bezel, a moonphase subdial, a date indicator, luminescent hands and markers, and an Omega Calibre 1866 hand-wind movement.

This is one of the few moonphase watches with a reliable chronograph function that features 60-second, 30-minute, and 12-hour counters.

Pros:

  • Accurate hand movement
  • Excellent lume brightness
  • Power reserve of up to 48 hours
  • Water-resistant up to 50m

Cons:

  • Dial looks too busy
  • Date can be hard to read
  • It’s a bit heavy on the wrist

Price: $8,000

 

A. Lange & Sohne Saxonia Moon Phase 384.026

If you’re willing to spend on a watch that will last a lifetime, the Saxonia Moon Phase is one of the best moonphase watches to invest in.

The 40mm Saxonia Moon Phase has an 18k white gold case and bezel, a scratch-resistant sapphire crystal, an exhibition case back, a genuine alligator leather strap, a dual window date display, a moonphase subdial with small seconds function, and an A.

Lange & Sohne Calibre L086.5 automatic movement.

Pros:

  • Elegant and timeless style perfect for a dress watch
  • Accurate timekeeping mechanism
  • Comfortable leather strap
  • Power reserve of up to 72 hours
  • Water-resistant up to 30m

Cons:

  • Mighty expensive
  • No lume on hands
  • It’s a bit thick

Price: $22,000 to $29,600

 

Patek Philippe Nautilus 5712/1A

The 40mm Nautilus 5712/1A has a stainless steel case, a screw-down crown, a scratch-resistant sapphire crystal, a skeleton case back, a power reserve indicator, a moonphase subdial with date indicator, a small seconds subdial, luminescent hands and markers, and a calibre 240 self-winding movement.

This model is one of the best moonphase watches available in a variety of color schemes.

Pros:

  • Elegant design with a unique case shape
  • Very comfortable to wear
  • Excellent lume brightness
  • Water-resistant up to 60m

Cons:

  • Watch face looks crowded
  • Very expensive timepiece
  • A bit heavy on the wrist

Price: $41,600

Conclusion

One of the most sophisticated complications added to watches is the moonphase function.

This is why timepieces that have this feature are expensive and belong to luxurious brands.

But with the introduction of quartz movement, anyone can now get moonphase watches under $500.

Whether you’re looking for an expensive dress watch you want to invest in or you just want the best affordable moonphase watch for the sake of enjoying the feature, you’ll surely have a pick among the models we have listed here.

[ajax_load_more]