Capture the spirit of mid-autumn with these moon phase timepieces from Patek Philippe, Hermès, Ulysse Nardin and more

One of the most romantic complications in watchmaking, the moon phase adds beautiful visual complexity to a timepiece’s dial. From beautifully finished dials to creative takes on the display of the moon phase function, here’s a look at how watchmakers capture the moon on their dials.

Hermès

Hermès’ latest interpretation of the complication sees a subdial displaying a double moon phase across the dial of the Slim d’Hermès. The skeletonised dial of the Slim d’Hermès Squelette Lune further shaves down the weight of this titanium piece, which measures 39.5mm.

Patek Philippe

Launched earlier in the year, Patek Philippe’s Annual Calendar with Moon Phase, ref. 4947/1A-001 takes on a beautiful blue dial and is housed in a stainless steel case and matching bracelet. The moon phase is displayed above the date aperture at 6 o’clock.

Parmigiani

The watchmaker refreshes its flagship design and presents the Tonda PF. Among the references presented in this new series is the Annual Calendar which features a moon phase displayed across a subdial at 6 o’clock.

Ulysse Nardin

Bringing the moon phase to the Marine Torpilleur model for the first time, Ulysse Nardin released four different iterations of this reference. The 42 mm watch is inspired by historic nautical chronometers and features a sleek dial accented with slim Roman numeral hourmarkers. The small seconds shares a subdial with the moon phase, positioned at the six o’clock position.

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