British watch business Farer isn’t known for fripperies.
Its loyal followers select the brand for its punchy but classical designs with carefully contrasting colourways and interesting use of textures and materials.
As the name suggests, they are the sort of watches that might be worn by a modern seafarer (if they shop on Jermyn Street).
So it comes as a surprise to find that most pretentious of complications, a moonphase, appearing on a Farer dial.
It works, however, because the watches manage to feel very much like an extension of Farer’s time-only watches.
The moonphase, itself, is the star of the show, with the discs that make the complication hand-painted in Switzerland.
There are three colourways, with the moon created in pink, yellow or ivory using luminous paint so they light up in the night sky after dark.
These colours contrast with sunray burst dials in pale blue, dark blue and salmon.
Hands and hour markers, which often make strong design statements on Farer watches, are less punchy on the dials, in order to draw the eye towards the moonphase at 12 o’clock.
They come in polished cushion-shaped cases with sides decorated with what Farer calls a grain twist texture. It is a bit like the effect of an ostrich leather strap, but more shiny and orderly.
They are given historic names associated with British astronomy: Halley (as in Halley’s Comet), Eddington and Burbidge.
The Farer Moonphase collection is powered by a decorated Sellita SW288-1Â hand-wound movement with a purpose-built large aperture moonphase module.
They are worn on Barenia leather straps or steel mesh bracelets and are on sale at the Farer website for £1,475 / $1,650.
