Patek’s lackluster moonphase

[Eastie]

Do you guys ever think that Patek needs to step up its moonphase game?

It’s the one complication that’s almost purely aesthetic, meant to evoke beauty and a yearning for the cosmos. Yet Patek’s moonphase is just a plain painted disk. Dare I call it ugly?

For comparison, VC and ALS offer polished gold disks and AP features a photorealistic moon







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[codecow]

Does anyone actually care enough to set it properly? I never bother.

[tigerpac]

I have to agree. It could be much more interesting. Personally I love the man in the moons. As an aside, checking if someone sets the moon phase is my way to see how into horology they are.

[subtona]

Interesting observation.

Not sure a more detailed moon phase would matter to me but I can appreciate the extra lengths that others have gone to.

Comparatively some dials have ornate work in them but I can’t say I would prefer them over a solid & comparatively plain dial ? AP code watches for example or even some of the engraved dials made by many manufacturers.

My lack of ability to see the smaller details without visual aides may factor in :)

[Eastie]

Even Omega and Rolex have prettier moon phases. Omega’s is photorealistic and Rolex’s is a literal piece of extraterrestrial meteorite

Also here’s another pic of the ALS to really show off the sublime depth and polish of the
golden disk versus Patek’s flat painted moon




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[Eastie]

Originally Posted by subtona

Interesting observation.

Not sure a more detailed moon phase would matter to me but I can appreciate the extra lengths that others have gone to.

Comparatively some dials have ornate work in them but I can’t say I would prefer them over a solid & comparatively plain dial ? AP code watches for example or even some of the engraved dials made by many manufacturers.

My lack of ability to see the smaller details without visual aides may factor in :)

Hmm when it comes to dials, I feel like there’s a wider range of beauty and it truly is a matter of taste. Moser’s fume dials, the squared guilloche on the royal oak, the concentric guilloche on the code 11.59 steel models, the blue gradient of the 5711, the dark midnight blue of the FP Journe CB, Patek’s enamel and cloisonné dials, etc etc

There’s no wrong answer when it comes to dials. They’re all beautiful

But I feel when it comes to moon phases, there’s more consensus agreement on what’s beautiful vs not


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[Eastie]

And a cool example from Breguet. Engraved golden disk with a stylized face




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[itim]

I'm OK with the plain moonphase. Wanted 5236 but I can't unsee the small size of the moonphase disc. It feels like they are using the same part as for the 38mm annual calendar.

[Russell996]

Patek did a beautiful moonphase on the 5575G which was both photorealistic and changed colour in sunlight.






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[Gent675]

Originally Posted by Russell996

Patek did a beautiful moonphase on the 5575G which was both photorealistic and changed colour in sunlight.






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So good

[crispyness87]

Given what other brands have done, it's hard for me to look at the Patek moonphase and not think 'lazy'.

AP's photorealistic moonphase takes the cake. Even journe has transitioned to this.

[APGuru]

I'm content with the basic moonphase. I had my eye on the 5236, but the moonphase disc's size stands out to me as being too small. It appears as though they might be using the same component as the one for the 38mm annual calendar.

[Audevache]

Agree with the OPs issue.

The Lange 1 Moonphase with its changing day/night sky is amazing, particularly on the black dial.

I originally was quite determined to get the 5205G (blue) as my first holy trinity dress watch but am more and more trending towards Glashütte nowadays.

[Vasco]

I quite agree regarding the classical line-up. I wouldn't want it looking too "heavy" with engravings but something with a moon in relief, like Lange's, would be perfect.

Nevertheless, I understand Patek uses a Sapphire disk which is quite nice a detail instead of a metallic alloy. My feeling is that they could improve the moon on the classical models.

However, on the modern/sportier models (Nautilus or Aquanaut), I wouldn't want something more elaborate. I prefer something "cleaner" on a Nautilus, like they do currently.

As a side note, I don't like the realistic moon printings. I don't feel it's craftmanship as I read it's often printed or laser made.

[Eastie]

Originally Posted by Russell996

Patek did a beautiful moonphase on the 5575G which was both photorealistic and changed colour in sunlight.






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That might be the most beautiful patek I’ve ever seen

The moon, the starry night backdrop, the stellar hours hand, the lugs

See! They do know how to make beautiful watches. They just choose to make those limited editions


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[Calatrava r]

Urban Jurgensen did a fantastic job on their monophase on the ref 2340.

[Calatrava r]

Originally Posted by Calatrava r

Urban Jurgensen did a fantastic job on their monophase on the ref 2340.

Don't have a photo showing the full moon which is bright. I believe the whole disc is 18kt.

[fsprow]

A useless complication in my view. Maybe a different complication like a chime on the hour instead.

[drefrank]

Have to admit that (for some reason) I’m drawn to the moon phase complication. And I guess I’m one of the few that like to keep it synced. With that said, I’m fine with the Patek version - but that AP is pretty cool.

[codecow]

Originally Posted by fsprow

A useless complication in my view. Maybe a different complication like a chime on the hour instead.

Yeah, useless and a pain to set it. However, for some people (like my wife) it’s “romantic”.

[Eastie]

Originally Posted by codecow

Yeah, useless and a pain to set it. However, for some people (like my wife) it’s “romantic”.

gotta listen to your wife! Wife is always right

To your point, yes the moonphase is totally useless. But then again, aren’t all complications useless? Chronograph, calendars, travel times, chimes, etc etc. Wouldn’t your iPhone or Apple Watch do all this better?

Speaking only for myself, I think the moonphase is a marvelous complication with historical significance. Having accurate celestial information was a matter of life or death to ocean-bound voyagers. Even though it’s a bit anachronistic today, the complication harkens back to the age of sail and exploitation. Very romantic indeed


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[codecow]

True! I mean a lot of times on a watch with a date I don’t even bother setting the date.

[subtona]

Originally Posted by Eastie

Hmm when it comes to dials, I feel like there’s a wider range of beauty and it truly is a matter of taste. Moser’s fume dials, the squared guilloche on the royal oak, the concentric guilloche on the code 11.59 steel models, the blue gradient of the 5711, the dark midnight blue of the FP Journe CB, Patek’s enamel and cloisonné dials, etc etc

There’s no wrong answer when it comes to dials. They’re all beautiful

But I feel when it comes to moon phases, there’s more consensus agreement on what’s beautiful vs not


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You mention some special and exceptional dials. Jumbo, bleu, 5711 & enamel dials that are art unto themselves.

A perfect dial has balance. All elements must come together.
It is rare, those that achieve it become legend

[fsprow]

Originally Posted by codecow

Yeah, useless and a pain to set it. However, for some people (like my wife) it’s “romantic”.

I’ll show it to my wife tonight.

[Ashj52]

I do agree the AP/Breguet moon phase are stunning, unsure how well it would work with the PP aesthetic/design. Here’s a wrist shot!

[mjm700]

I've also commented before how I am not a fan of the moonphase and never bothered with it again after doing it once (although candidly I often dont bother with the date unless i plan to wear it for several days). I think it really clutters some dials - e.g, 5712, and not that useful or interesting. Obviously didn't stop me from buying watches with them but would have preferred they didn't have it. Comparing other brands, which I had never done before, seems to reinforce the point. Happy to hear others like them, so at least some value there.

World time is a different category.

[DonLee]

Originally Posted by codecow

Does anyone actually care enough to set it properly? I never bother.

I do. it's easy to set. and it's extra rewarding when you look at the moonphase and realise it's a full moon, and look up... yes it is.

[Gamut]

Patek uses the same plain moonphase disks in their minute repeaters and grand master chimes, right up to the commemorative calibre 89, so I assume that their plainness is not due to Patek trying to reserve something more ellaborate for limited higher-end models, but has more to do with what they call their "brand DNA."

Where as other brands more or less need to add features to compete with Patek, Patek has the liberty to keep things plain and simple where it is better that way in order to pursue overall balance and effortlessness. Though I suppose, whether that appears as lackluster/laziness or good design would depend on each one's taste.