Longines Moonphase

Ever since humans first laid eyes on the night sky, we've been fascinated by the Moon. Babylonian astronomers were already calculating future solar eclipses all the way back in 1000 BC. Our attraction to the Moon likely stems from the fact that, after the Sun, it's the brightest celestial body in our sky whose phases we can track using the naked eye. What's more, its gravity controls the tides experienced here on Earth. As for whether our rocky companion has an effect on living creatures, the jury is still out. Regardless of where this fascination comes from, one thing's for certain: Moon phase watches are extremely popular.

Longines offers a wide variety of watches with a moon phase indicator. Some models belong to the Master Collection, a series that exclusively contains mechanical timepieces. This collection's most complicated models combine the beloved moon phase with a chronograph, 24-hour display, and calendar. Other exquisite timepieces in the Master Collection boast four retrograde displays. "Retrograde" means that the display's hand jumps back to its starting position once it reaches the end of its scale. In addition to these more complicated models, Longines produces simple three-hand watches with a date and moon phase display.

The pre-owned market is also home to several Longines moon phase watches. This includes timepieces from the 1950s with an 18-karat gold case and stopwatch and calendar functions. One rare example is the ref. 3233, which costs around 7,600 USD.

Longines produces several moon phase watches in the Master Collection. Three-hand models with a pointer date and moon phase at 6 o'clock have especially clean designs and budget-friendly price tags. These timepieces come with your choice of a blue, silver, or black dial. Narrow indices, diamonds, or Roman or Arabic numerals mark the hours. Models with a blue dial and applied indices look especially sporty paired with a stainless steel bracelet. For a more classic look, you can purchase the same watch on a blue alligator leather strap.

The caliber L899 ticks away inside the 40-mm stainless steel case. This movement is based on the ETA A31.L91 and has a balance frequency of 25,200 alternations per hour (A/h). That's equal to 3.5 Hz, 0.5 Hz less than the famous ETA 2824-2. As a result, this caliber has an impressive 64-hour power reserved compared to the 2824-2's 42 hours. A sapphire crystal case back offers a view of the L899 at work.

The Longines moon phase watch ref. L2.909.4.92.6 with a blue dial has a list price of 2,030 euros (approx. 2,200 USD). You can find the same timepiece on Chrono24 for around 2,000 USD. Models with a silver or black dial demand similar prices.

Chronograph, Calendar, and Moon Phase

Longines' top models pair a moon phase display with a chronograph, calendar, and 24-hour display. These 40-mm watches feature a combined moon phase and elapsed hour display at 6 o'clock. The 24-hour counter and small seconds share a subdial at 9 o'clock, while the 30-minute counter and day-month display sit at 12. An additional central hand with a crescent-moon tip points to the current date around the dial's edge. The caliber L687, based on the ETA Valjoux 7751, powers the various displays. This automatic movement also provides these timepieces with a 54-hour power reserve.

You can choose from a silver, black, or blue dial with hour indices, Roman numerals, or Arabic numerals. Longines mounts the case on an alligator leather strap or stainless steel bracelet. The manufacturer offers a gold model as well. The rose gold ref. L2.673.8.78.3 requires an investment of about 7,200 USD new and 5,400 USD pre-owned. The stainless steel editions are much more affordable, with prices ranging from 2,100 to 2,500 USD.

Longines Moon Phase Watches with 4 Retrograde Displays

Retrograde displays are a rare sight on the watch market and used to only appear on high-end timepieces. Longines is one of the few manufacturers to combine four retrograde displays in one affordable watch. The ref. L2.738.4.51.6 from the Master Collection uses such displays for its seconds, date, day, and the 24-hour display that shows the time in a second time zone. Beyond that, this automatic watch boasts a day/night indicator, as well as a moon phase display. The Longines caliber L707 powers this timepiece. Based on the ETA A07.L31, this movement has a 48-hour power reserve.

This moon phase watch has a 41-mm stainless steel case and is worn on an alligator leather strap or stainless steel bracelet. Roman numerals and leaf-shaped feuille hands underscore this model's classic feel. You can select from black or silver for the dial color. Plan to spend some 2,800 USD on a mint-condition timepiece. Pre-owned watches cost a few hundred dollars less.

If you're looking for a Longines moon phase watch that combines sporty and elegant design, you may enjoy the timepieces of the Conquest Collection. This collection contains Longines' stainless steel sports watches with a moon phase display at 6 o'clock. There are also a few women's models available. The women's watches are 29.5 or 34 mm in diameter and water-resistant to 300 m (30 bar, 984 ft). That means these timepieces can join you on dives, even if they aren't conventional diving watches.

The dials come in various colors. Watches with a mother-of-pearl dial and 11 diamond indices are especially feminine. Each model features a date display at 3 o'clock. Versions with line indices also have Arabic numerals at 6 and 12 o'clock. Longines equips these watches with the quartz caliber L296. This movement comes with an end-of-life  indicator. When the battery is running low, the seconds hand jumps every four seconds, letting you know it's time to replace the battery. Regardless of its size, this moon phase watch changes hands for around 700 USD. That price increases to about 980 USD for a Longines Conquest moon phase watch with diamonds.

The The Longines 1832 collection pays tribute to the company's early years. Each timepiece embodies the brand's tradition, elegance, and achievements. The 1832 with the reference number L4.826.4.92.2 is this collection's top model. It features a dual moon phase display and pointer date at 6 o'clock. This 40-mm stainless steel watch also has a beige dial with applied indices. SuperLuminova fills the polished dauphine hands, guaranteeing optimal readability in all lighting conditions. A brown alligator leather strap rounds off this watch's retro design.

The Swiss watch manufacturer outfits this model with the automatic caliber L899. This movement is a modified ETA A32.L91 and has a 64-hour power reserve. That means you can set it down over the weekend, and it will still be ticking when you put it back on. A sapphire crystal case back offers a view of the movement within. The The Longines 1832 ref. L4.826.4.92.2 with a moon phase display sells for roughly 2,000 USD.