Pioneering watch brand Ochs und Junior has recently introduced a new model to its Moon Phase / Selene line-up, which has been described by industry leaders as one of the most accurate moonphases on the market.
The watch, in titanium features a matte “Ochs Blue” dial with rhodium-plated hour and minute markers and hour and minute hands, while the seconds hand is in Ochs Blue. The moon is represented by an embellished silvery disc.
Most moonphase watches measure the lunar cycle at 29.5 days, which means that they are out by a day after two years. By Ochs und Junior’s calculations, the length of the moon’s cycle is 29.5306122449 days long. As a result, as long as the watch stays wound, the moonphase will stay accurate for 3,478.27 years.
To anyone who knows the work of Ludwig Oechslin – the scientist, watchmaker, designer and inventor behind the original Ulysse Nardin Freak – the Moon Phase / Selene is instantly recognisable as one of his most famous designs.
As with all of Oechslin’s creations, a hugely complex idea is reduced to the most basic of indications and a relatively simple looking watch is in fact a lunar calendar that displays the time, date, and phases of the moon.
Belying the complicated nature of the indication, the Selene / Moon Phase module consists of just five extra components driven by an epicyclic gear train, allowing Ochs und Junior to offer the watch at a price of just CHF 5,077 + tax. Shipping is normally in 12-16 weeks.
At the centre of the dial is a large aperture representing the Earth, while at 12 o’clock is a patterned disc that symbolises the sun. When the moon is directly in line with these two at 6 o’clock, it shows a full moon. A new moon is depicted when the icon is hidden behind the earth at 12 o’clock and a blacked out moon appears at 6.
The spiral “dot date” indicator shows the date via a series of 30+1 dots. The hour markers spaced at 10-minute intervals help to quickly read the date, which is displayed via a silvery-white dot – so, if the silver dot appears at the 20-minute marker, it is the 10th of the month.
The Ochs und Junior Selene / Moon Phase is available in both 39mm and 42mm versions, both water-resistant to 100 metres. Within is an ETA 2824-2 movement with 38 hours of power reserve topped with Oechslin’s moonphase module.
Pre-orders can be placed at ochsundjunior.swiss
