{"id":12246,"date":"2022-03-01T09:54:00","date_gmt":"2022-03-01T08:54:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.my-watchsite.com\/blog\/?p=12246"},"modified":"2022-07-01T11:03:59","modified_gmt":"2022-07-01T09:03:59","slug":"moon-are-you-there","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.my-watchsite.com\/blog\/moon-are-you-there\/","title":{"rendered":"Moon, are you there?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\"La
Chopard L.U.C. Calibre L.U.C. 96.13-L with an original Moon-phase display.<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Astronomical complications: asking for the moon<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Since the discovery by archaeologists of engraved bones dating from the Upper Palaeolithic representing the cycles of the moon. But also, thanks to the modernisation of astronomical sites such as Ur in Asia Minor or Stonehenge in Scotland. We know that humankind have a very strong relationship with the sky and the indications related to the lunar cycles.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The\u00a0Callanish Standing Stones known as Stonehenge\u00a0in Scotland. A unique monument of its kind. (Google image).<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Origins of astronomical time<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Using the lunar calendar is both logical and reassuring. Indeed, the cosmic clock is immutable and cyclical in what it offers to Using the lunar calendar is both logical and reassuring. Indeed, the cosmic clock is immutable and cyclical in what it offers to contemplate the sky. So, very quickly, human societies used it to\u00a0organise\u00a0their social life. By dint of observing the celestial vault, the Babylonians\u00a0have\u00a0created\u00a0the\u00a0sexagesimal calculation\u00a0(calculation\u00a0with 60 as its base). It allows\u00a0to send time into space\u00a0thanks to the division of a circle of 360\u00b0 into 24 equal parts of 15\u00b0 each. The\u00a0organisation\u00a0of watch dials was born from the observation of the sky. As well as from the need of scientists to divide the\u00a0starspace into equal parts. Later, around 87 B.C., Greek scientists were able to produce mechanical instruments\u00a0equipped\u00a0with\u00a0gears\u00a0and dials. Which, like the fabulous\u00a0Antikythera<\/strong><\/em>\u00a0mechanism\u00a0(offered as a watch by Hublot\u00a0a few years ago), could\u00a0predict\u00a0astronomical events and in particular lunar eclipses. All these tools \u2013 archaeologists are\u00a0categorical\u00a0\u2013 were numerous in the ancient world. Were they\u00a0used for\u00a0the cause of\u00a0powerful men\u00a0for whom harmonious\u00a0convergence\u00a0between\u00a0humankind\u00a0and nature were essential?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

From the sky to the dial<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Through\u00a0the\u00a0metaphorical and poetic characteristics\u00a0of the moonrise and moonset\u00a0that have always been with us.\u00a0Comes the need to represent this passion for its attraction whose result\u00a0is to attract the bodies. Aware of its importance and under the\u00a0pretext\u00a0of astronomical, astrological, or even\u00a0agronomic\u00a0information, watchmakers\u00a0have\u00a0very early\u00a0linked\u00a0the cycles of our\u00a0moon\u00a0with\u00a0the time display. As early as the\u00a0Middle Ages, it\u00a0appeared\u00a0on the dials of large\u00a0clock towers. Because\u00a0on Easter day it is set from the\u00a0lunar calendar. Indeed, its date\u00a0coincided with\u00a0the first Sunday after the first full moon of spring. Then,\u00a0thanks to miniaturisation, it\u00a0reached\u00a0the dials of the exceptional watches of the Renaissance. And,\u00a0later,\u00a0many instruments. Because under the\u00a0pretext\u00a0of astronomy and science,\u00a0humankind, often a little\u00a0mischievous,\u00a0changed\u00a0its display\u00a0that\u00a0changesevery 29 days, 12 hours, 44 minutes, and 2.9 seconds, to other lighter purposes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Montre
Showcase\u00a0107 object 1: pocket watch with\u00a0a\u00a0perpetual calendar. First watch with a perpetual calendar\u00a0made by\u00a0Thomas Mudge in 1762 \u00a9 Patek Philippe Museum.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

From past to present<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Regardless of this representation, always flattering, gives relief to the dials of watches and remains today one of the favourite complications of the beautiful watches\u2019 enthusiasts. Like the dive watches, the watches equipped with moon-phase display are in almost all catalogues of the best watch brands. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, it is rare to see it alone on the dial. Most often it comes with calendar information. It is how it is displayed on the dial of manufacture watches powered by the Calibre Royal, equipped with an instant-jump day and date display.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Pequignet Manufacture Rue Royale<\/a> with day, date and Moon-phase indications in aperture. Power reserve indication. Rose gold with black dial piece.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

We can find it\u00a0at IWC, Patek Philippe, Jaeger-LeCoultre, Longines, or even Glash\u00fctte Original to\u00a0power\u00a0the dials of their watches\u00a0including\u00a0complications ranging from the\u00a0triple calendar\u00a0to perpetual calendars\u00a0going\u00a0through annual calendars.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Glash\u00fctte
Glash\u00fctte Original PanoMaticLuna<\/a>r Rose Gold with Moon-phase display.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Majestic and dreamlike, it adorns the dial of exceptional pieces like the Astronomic Souveraine by F.P. Journe. Most\u00a0often\u00a0it is represented in two dimensions and appears in an aperture displaying a specific profile with two projecting ornamentations that is for showing its different moonrises and moonsets phases.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"La
F.P. Journe Astronomic Souveraine<\/a>. The ultimate Grande Complication watch.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Some display a classic representation with eyes and a mouth as Blancpain does. Others are just golden on a blue background or silver on a background studded with stars. Finally, for a while now, some are printed in a realistic way with seas and craters. This is the case of the moon appearing in immense on the dial of France proposed by Meistersinger.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Meistersinger Lunascope<\/a> Black Special Edition<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

This type of Moon has recently become popular because its realistic side reawakens some emotions buried deeply in the cortex.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Finally,\u00a0the inventive watchmakers just had\u00a0to come up with a three-dimension version of the moon.\u00a0Now it is a done deal with the Mega Yacht made by Ulysse Nardin.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"La
Ulysse Nardin Mega Yacht<\/a>, a complication watch with a three-dimensional moon.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Its representation is as varied as the creativity of designers, and each one has its own way of representing it. The proof: Arnold & Son offers a three-dimensional moon nested in the heart of the Luna Magna watch. While Jacob & co puts it in rotation in the Astronomia with a lot of precious stones.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"La
Arnold & Son Luna Magna Ultimate<\/a>: light, movement and three-dimension for the moon.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

With so many possibilities, it will be possible for everyone to find the representation that best suits them. However, purists and precision enthusiasts will have to remember that not all moonphase representations are equal in terms of accuracy. Most of them need to be readjusted every 3 years, but others are equipped with “Precision Moon” displays capable of having only one day’s shift in 73 years. And if that’s still not enough, it’s possible to rely on timepieces equipped with an astronomical complication. Which is a mechanism that allows the moonphases to shift by only one day after 122 years… Who can beat that?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

See also:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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