Moonphase

[Mr Steele]

moonphase...how does it work?? is it always expensive?

[Mr Steele]

moonphase...how does it work?? is it always expensive?

[Barry G]

In my experience, there are two general types of moonphase watches. The first type are very high end watches that have multiple complications, including a repeating function, a chronograph (stopwatch) function, and a calendar function. These typically are highly jeweled watches, very well made, and very expensive ($20,000-100,000).

The other type, which perhaps were made in imitation of these high end examples, are low to medium grade generic Swiss watches from the early 1900s. Some of these have as many as 15 jewels, whereas others have as few as 1 jewel. I have actually seen a number of moonphase calendar watches with fancy metal dials (such as the one on eBay right now) that are marked "1 jewel" on the movement. Since moonphase watches have extra gears to move the various dials, I find it incredible that such a watch would basically have no jewels to reduce friction, but there you have it.

These generic Swiss moonphase watches are essentially novelty watches, and in my experience rarely work correctly 100 years later. In many cases, the mainspring simply cannot provide enough power to move all the wheels anymore. I've owned 3 or 4 of the 15 jewel versions, but I've had to get rid of them all since none of them actually kept decent time or had all the functions working.

Anybody who thinks a 1 jewel moonphase calendar watch with a fancy metal dial is extremely rare or valuable is deluding himself at best and running a scam at worst. The 15 jewel versions typically sell for $400-500 (assuming you can find one that works well), but I wouldn't give a plug nickel for one of the non jeweled versions.

Regards,

Barry

My Online Pocket Watch Collection (http://barrygoldberg.net/watches.htm)