You know you need a moonphase watch to complete your collection. You’ve been eyeing some for years. But, somehow, you always get intimidated by their price tags.
Does this sentiment sound familiar?
Well, it’s not surprising, given that the moonphase is one of the most sought-after complications in watches. Considered romantic yet impractical, the moonphase complication instantly elevates a watch to a higher level.
With this article, we will prove that you can get a high-quality moonphase watch without breaking your budget!
But first, let’s talk about why people love the moonphase complication in general.
The Appeal of the Moonphase Watch
A moonphase watch is just too beautiful not to have. Some of the watch fanatics may argue that people buy it more for its aesthetic value and not so much for its technical prowess. This could be true, too. And, frankly, there is nothing wrong with that.
Our affinity towards the moonphase watch is deeply rooted. For thousands of years, humans have been fascinated by the celestial bodies. We have depended on the moon, the sun, and the stars in determining the date and time.
Throughout history, men have always looked to the moon and stars for answers and guidance. Naturally, this fascination has extended to our love for moonphase watches.
How Does a Moonphase Watch Work?
To complete one lunar cycle — which our calendar month is based upon — it takes exactly 29 days, 12 hours, 44 minutes, and 3 seconds. For easy understanding, we will round it off to 29.5 days.
Using elaborate engineering, the moonphase complication tracks the current phase of the moon and reflects these phases through a small window on the watch’s dial.
A typical moonphase watch uses a 59-toothed wheel to move a disc that’s connected to the watch’s hour hand. This allows the disc, which is painted with two identical moons on it, to advance a notch every 24 hours (one day).
The mechanism ensures that the moon on the disc appears through the small window every 29.5 days. In the process, the small window on the dial also reflects the current phase of the moon as it is shown in the night sky.
Best Affordable Moonphase Watches
Beautiful, elegant and whimsical, the moonphase watch can demand a high price. This is one of the reasons why some people can only dream about owning one.
Fret not, however, as below we have rounded up 14 of the most sophisticated moonphase watches that won’t break your budget.
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1. Stuhrling Original Moonphase
Unlike some of the moonphase watches that have complex dials, the Stuhrling Original Moonphase dress watch comes in a simple white, clean dial. This allows the moonphase complication at 6 o’clock to shine completely.
The 42mm stainless steel case is made more elegant with a matching black leather strap — perfect for a dress watch. Running on the JP24 Japanese quartz movement, the watch is one of the most precise moonphase watches in the market. What’s more, it is water-resistant up to 50 meters. So it’s safe from any accidental water exposure.
SPECS
- 42mm stainless steel case
- Ultra-precise JP24 movement
- Clean presentation of the moonphase
- Embossed leather strap
- Water-resistant up to 50 meters
- 2-year international warranty
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2. Orient Sun and Moon Version 3
The Orient Sun & Moon Version 3 Moonphase watch is an updated version of the original model. Unlike the other two versions, it runs on the Caliber F6B24 movement, which has automatic, hand winding, hacking (seconds stop) capabilities.
This refined model also features day and date complications. One of its two sub-dials displays the beautiful moonphase, sitting between the 4 and 5 o’clock positions.
SPECS
- Japanese automatic movement
- Sapphire crystal
- Sun and moon indicator
- 42.5mm stainless steel case
- Water-resistant up to 50 meters
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3. Citizen Calendrier Moonphase Eco-Drive
The Citizen Calendrier Moonphase Eco-Drive watch looks every-inch a cool and suave timepiece. Powered by the Citizen Eco-Drive quartz movement, it features a moonphase display at 6 o’clock.
The 44mm stainless steel case highlights a blue guilloche dial with silver hour markers and luminous hands. The other three sub-dials display the calendar at 12 o’clock, the month at 3 o’clock, and the day function at 9 o’clock. A black, croc-embossed leather strap and a water-resistance of up to 100 meters cap its elegant design.
SPECS
- 44mm stainless steel case
- Citizen Eco-Drive quartz movement
- Moonphase display
- Perpetual calendar function
- Mineral glass crystal
- Guilloche textured dial
- Luminous hands
- Black leather croc-embossed strap
- Water-resistant up to 100 meters
- 5-year limited factory warranty
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4. Graf Zeppelin Hindenburg Moonphase Calendar
Suave and sophisticated with a retro vibe, the Graf Zeppelin Hindenburg Moonphase Calendar watch is all you need to accessorize a nice, smart-casual look. Its 35mm stainless steel case features a dark-blue dial, showcasing white-slender hands and Arabic numerals. The three sub-dials display the moonphase, day, and date functions.
At its heart beats the Swiss-made Ronda 706B quartz movement. Meanwhile, a retro-type Hesalite dome crystal and a screw-in crown protect the watch. To complement its blue dial, the watch is paired with a blue leather strap.
SPECS
- 35mm stainless steel case
- Blue leather strap
- Moonphase indicator
- Day & date functions
- Japanese quartz movement
- Water-resistant up to 30 meters
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5. Orient Sun and Moon Open Heart
Inspired by the Orient Sun & Moon Version 3 Moonphase watch — particularly its guilloche dial — the Orient Sun and Moon Open Heart Moonphase watch also features two sub-dials. One for the moonphase display at 6 o’clock, and the other for its open heart, allowing onlookers to get up-close and personal with its mechanism.
Powered by a Japanese automatic movement, the 42mm stainless steel case watch has an elegant gold-tone, complemented by golden hands and hour markers. A brown leather strap finishes the elegant look.
SPECS
- 42mm stainless gold-tone steel case
- Sapphire crystal
- Sun and moon display
- Japanese automatic movement
- Water-resistant up to 50 meters
- Brown leather strap
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6. Davosa Flatline Moonphase
Sophisticated in its minimalist white dial and black leather strap, the Davosa Flatline Moonphase dress watch will look right at home in any black-tie event with your tuxedo.
The beautiful moonphase display is right in the middle of the uncluttered, two-toned dial. The gold-tone hands and hour markers stand out against the stainless steel case, while a small date window sits at 6 o’clock. Running on a quartz movement, this moonphase dress watch is also water-resistant up to 50 meters.
SPECS
- 40mm stainless steel case
- Screw-in case
- Sapphire crystal
- Moonphase display
- Quartz movement
- Water-resistant up to 50 meters
- Black leather strap
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7. Guess Black Ionic-Plated Day, Date + Moonphase
Gorgeous in its all-black ensemble, this Guess Black Ionic-Plated Day, Date + Moonphase watch goes well with every casual wardrobe. Despite its three sub-dials, the black dial still looks clean and symmetrical. The highlight, of course, is the enchanting moonphase at 6 o’clock with its gold and silver elegance.
Featuring a genuine diamond at the 12 o’clock marker, this moonphase watch also boasts day and date functions. The 42mm black ionic-plated stainless steel case is paired with a black mesh bracelet and runs on a Japanese quartz movement.
SPECS
- 42mm ionic-plated stainless steel case
- Mineral crystal
- Moonphase display
- Day & date function
- Japanese quartz movement
- Genuine diamond hour marker
- Mesh bracelet
- Water-resistant up to 50 meters
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8. TSS T8030 Tourbillon Moonphase
With its classic gold-tone stainless steel case and brown leather strap, the TSS T8030 Tourbillon Moonphase can take you to a day of corporate meetings all the way to happy hour without compromising on style.
The 18K gold-plated stainless steel case in 40.2mm highlights a tourbillon at 6 o’clock and a moonphase display at 12 o’clock. The day and date functions are displayed in smaller sub-dials. Powered by a self-winding automatic movement, this sophisticated watch is complemented by a brown leather strap and a 50m water resistance.
SPECS
- 40.2mm 18K gold-plated stainless steel case
- Synthetic sapphire crystal
- Moonphase display
- Day & Date function
- Tourbillon function
- Skeleton dial
- Exhibition caseback
- Self-winding automatic movement
- Brown leather strap
- Water-resistant up to 50 meters
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9. Rotary Windsor Moonphase Day-Date
Sophisticated in its simplicity, the Rotary Windsor Moonphase Day-Date watch is a perfect dress watch for those formal events you’ve been invited to this year. The 40mm stainless steel case displays a white, guilloche dial with four sub-dials, blued steel hands, and Roman numerals.
At 6 o’clock sits the simple moonphase display, while the three sub-dials contain the day & date and calendar functions. Powered by a quartz movement, the whole ensemble is finished with an elegant black leather strap.
SPECS
- 40mm stainless steel case
- White dial
- Blued-steel hands
- Quartz movement
- Moonphase display
- Day & date function
- Black leather strap
- Water-resistant up to 50 meters
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10. SEWOR Automatic Tourbillon Moonphase
If you’re a fan of Franck Muller’s watches, the SEWOR Automatic Moonphase is your cheaper alternative. It’s 40mm tonneau-shaped stainless steel case and the big Arabic numerals are undoubtedly inspired by the iconic Franck Muller watches. Paired with a brown leather strap, this moonphase watch is a true winner.
The cream-white dial features the tourbillon at 9 o’clock and the moonphase at 6 o’clock. An automatic, self-winding movement runs this sophisticated watch.
SPECS
- 40mm tonneau-shaped stainless steel case
- Mineral crystal
- Automatic, self-winding movement
- Moonphase display
- Tourbillon
- Brown leather strap
- See-through caseback
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11. Akribos XXIV Retro Multifunction
An elegant dress watch, the Akribos XXIV Retro Multifunction watch boasts a day and date function as well as a beautiful moonphase display. Its 44mm polished stainless steel case showcases a beige dial with off-white hands and hour markers. A black leather strap completes its classic look.
Made in New York, the Akribos XXIV Retro Multifunction watch runs on a quartz movement. What’s more, its bezel features a tachymeter scale for speed-measuring functions.
SPECS
- 44mm stainless steel case
- Mineral crystal
- Moonphase display
- Day & date function
- Beige dial
- Tachymeter bezel
- Japanese quartz movement
- Black leather strap
- Water-resistant up to 30 meters
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12. Forsining Automatic Moonphase
Another elegant moonphase watch that is easy on the pocket, the Forsining Automatic Moonphase dress watch looks luxurious in a stainless steel case, off-white dial, and brown leather strap.
Its big dial features the day and month functions, as well as a moonphase display at 6 o’clock. Inconspicuously peeking at 12 o’clock is a small date window, which somehow balances the dial’s aesthetic. This classic dress watch is powered by a mechanical automatic movement.
SPECS
- 46mm stainless steel case
- Hardlex crystal
- Tachymeter bezel
- Moonphase display
- Day, date & month function
- Chinese automatic movement
- Brown leather strap
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13. Carnival Automatic Date Moonphase
At 41mm, the Carnival Automatic Date Moonphase watch is just the perfect size for an everyday watch. Throw in a stainless steel case, a brown leather strap, and multiple functions — and you got yourself a winner. The moonphase, really, is just the icing on the cake. Albeit an important one.
The white dial highlights four sub-dials, displaying the date, week, month and 24-hour functions, as well as the moonphase display at 6 o’clock. Powered by a Swiss automatic movement, this watch is certainly a good buy.
SPECS
- 41mm stainless steel case
- Synthetic sapphire crystal
- Swiss automatic movement
- Moonphase display
- Date, week, month & 24-hour functions
- Water-resistant up to 30 meters
- Brown leather strap
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14. Bulova 96C26 Moonphase
A timeless timepiece, the Bulova 96C26 Moonphase watch is another classic, everyday watch that’s perfect for business or leisure. The 35mm stainless steel case works well with the cream dial and stainless steel bracelet.
Running on a Japanese quartz movement, the watch features a moonphase at 6 o’clock and the day and date sub-dials at 3 and 9 o’clock positions. What’s more, it is water-resistant up to 30 meters.
SPECS
- 35mm stainless steel case
- Japanese quartz movement
- Mineral crystal
- Cream dial
- Moonphase display
- Water-resistant up to 30 meters
Conclusion
As they always say, a watch makes or breaks a wardrobe. This is especially true for men. When it comes to accessories and jewelry, men don’t really have many options. With a moonphase dress watch, rest assured that you are always dressed to the ninth. And with our list of affordable moonphase watches above, there’s no need to break the bank to get a good-quality moonphase watch.
For more of the best affordable watches in the market, check out feature on Best Watches Under $1,000.
