Nine new references for the Blancpain Fifty Fathoms Bathyscaphe Quantième Complet Phases de Lune, with three dial colors
The moon phase or lunar phase is the shape of the sunlit portion of the Moon when you look at it from Earth. These phases change cyclically as the Moon orbits the Earth, according to the changing positions of the Moon and Sun relative to the Earth.
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The Moon’s rotation is tidally locked by the Earth’s gravity, therefore the same lunar surface always faces Earth. This face is variously sunlit depending on the position of the Moon in its orbit. There are four principal lunar phases: new moon (0% sunlit), first quarter, full moon (100% sunlit), and third quarter (also known as last quarter).
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Timing of the Moon’s phases shifts
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The average calendar month, which is 1⁄12 of a tropical year, is about 30.44 days, while the Moon’s phase (synodic) cycle repeats on average every 29.53 days. Therefore, the timing of the Moon’s phases shifts by an average of almost one day for each successive month. (Lunar year=354 days.)
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The approximate moon phase can be calculated for any date by calculating the number of days since a known new moon (such as January 1, 1900 or August 11, 1999) and reducing this modulo 29.530588853 (the length of a synodic month). Can you imagine how watch makers manage to create a complication like this?
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Watches with a moon phase
The Patek Philippe In-line Perpetual Calendar Ref. 5236P-010 breathes history, with its classic case, classic dial color and Quantième Lunaire
The Frederique Constant Classic Moonphase Date Manufacture Solid Rose Gold is not really new when it comes to the design and movement
The Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Ultra Thin Perpetual Calendar is part of the refreshment this super flat collection recently got
The Patek Philippe Retrograde Perpetual Calendar Rare Handcrafts Ref. 5160/500R is part of the brand’s Grand Complications line
The Patek Philippe Annual Calendar Moon Phases Ref. 5396G is new, but you might already know the design and functions for many years
Wearing the Jaeger-LeCoultre Duometre Heliotourbillon Perpetual offers a permanent view on the spinning top effect of the tourbillon
The new IWC Portugieser Perpetual Calendar 44 has had a serious make-over with a new case and double box-glass, plus new dials
The Christiaan van der Klaauw Real Moon Joure Green Meteorite is now available with the new 2024 manufacture caliber
The Frederique Constant Classic Moonphase Date Manufacture is updated, and combines a moon phase with a round-date indicator