They have made an amazing job of making genuinely distinct and varied watches right off the bat. Not putting out divers one after the other like many do
This would be true if CW started business in 2022 but they've been in business for like more than a decade and pumped out plenty of different models of dive watch
That is definitely a beautiful watch... that I would never dream of purchasing. It's basically everything I DON'T look for in a watch but absolutely lovely and I'm certain it is finished to perfection.
Great review, I agree completely. I handled one of these at Christopher Ward's showroom and ended up buying the Moonglow instead - I just needed more practicality and have admired the Moonglow since it came out.
The whole point of this watch is its impracticality. There's a metaphor lurking around the idea that at night you can only tell the time by the moon. This is the third iteration of a moonphase from the brand and is certainly the most whimsical. It's not for everyone, it's not for me but it is very good looking and for those who want this it's also great value. I also wish they'd left "Swiss Made" off the dial. If you want an aventurine dial with more practicality and a smaller size CW now offer a C63 Sealander in 39 mm, indices, lume and water resistance. It's called the Celeste.
Holy Tourbillon Batman! Is Jody being sent free CW Watches now. Damn…Good for you mate! It’s a beauty, but I have just way too many watches I want before I would get something like this for my collection. But again, it’s a beauty.
Absolutely beautiful watch and its bold design choices are to be applauded. The presence of SWISS MADE and the absence of CW branding just reflects the relative marketing power of those two marques and is an attempt to separate the watch from the 500 USD microbrand pack. Jody's concerns about legibility and practicality can be rationalised if you accept that this watch is not even attempting to compete in the GADA category. It's purely a dress watch to be judged as an objet d'art . As Jody himself might have said : If you really need to know the time wear a CASIO 😀
I hate to say this, but Sugess also make an adventurine moonphase, also with a lumed moon, and with the added features of legibility and the ability to be set accurately. It’s also a fraction of the price. Yes, I know it’s Chinese and not Swiss, but in this case, I think it’s the far better deal.
If only there would be something between those two. CW is pretty to look at but it's super impractical, whereas the Sugess' version is far too busy to be considered gorgeous. Plus I'm inherently distrustful of Seagull movements...
@@zwerkocheck out loresum, they will launch a big moonphase with aventurine at around 600 gbp in February that absolutely looks the bollocks. Way nicer than the CW in my opinion, miyota movement (so not swiss, but proven and reliable), and looks like a nice in between
Thanks for actually showing the moon in different phases none of the previous reviews that I watched showed that feature which is the main one if I'm not mistaken Be well my friend
I really like that clean dial, and the big lumed moon. I also like that the dial covers the other moon that circulates around, I really think CW are doing great lately.
Nice looking watch, I get the idea they were going after, but not for $2300. The swiss made on the dial just looks odd and needs to go. I can get a better conversation starter piece for a hell of a lot less.
I am tempted by this. I could do without the Swiss made though and realistically could do without the moon phase. A lump of aventurine without moon phase would be just as pleasing to me!
I had a MOVADO for many years as a daily use watch. Never had issues setting the date. It’s approximate! And the watch would look really nice on a better, classier leather strap
Interesting addition, CW are assembling a rather rounded collection, go back 4 years and the offered dive and tool watches. Interesting module added to the base movement, most click round per day on a modified date model, if I’m right the moon on thin moves constantly. One thing I’m not keen on is that the moon seems pixelated but I would need to see it in hand. Moonphase is a good complication if you’re interested in tides…just saying 😁
I wouldn't be surprised if this watch will lose value as soon as you take it out of the box. For the price, I'm sure there are very good collectable moon phase watches out there.
If there were and everyone knew what they were you wouldn't be able to get one. Sure, you might score a hidden gem before it gets any hype, but almost all watches lose value.
Life is about more than just making money. Buy what you love and want to wear, if you need to recoup the money to live on, you shouldn't be spending so much.
About the Swiss Made marker : In order for a watch to be eligible for the "Swiss Made" label, having the indicator somewhere on the dial is mandatory. if you want to be able to legally advertise your watch as being "Swiss Made" then you don't have a choice (unless you're H. Moser and consider the label to be a joke because it mostly requires assembly in Switzerland, does not include dials and bracelets and is calculated based on added value, so instead you don't label your watches say it's "made in-house and our house is in Switzerland")
If I want a giant moon on my watch there is Meistersinger Lunascope, imho it is much classy and practical also has a better looking design (specially blue and yellow variant). Als MS has nice single hand vibe which is a very good conversation starter. I have a no3 from MS maybe I am being biased, I dont know :)
I have an emerging problem with CW unfortunately - their new watches are great, but the price point keeps escalating. I own 3 CWs all ~ AUD 1,500 including delivery; at that price point they are terrific value and one of the best brands in the AUD 1-2K range. But they want AUD 3,275 (excl delivery) for this Moonphase and AUD 5,275 for the Bel Canto, both on leather straps. These are beautiful but fairly experimental watches. At these price points I can buy some of the best Longines, Sinn or Tudor watches. So I really like these CWs but I would buy a Tudor BB 58, every day of the week, before a Bel Canto.
I'd definitely get a Bel Canto over the 58, 58s are ubiquitous, and I just deeply appreciate the watchmaking in the design of a chiming watch, along with the modern interpretation of a classic watch style. There's nothing special about modern Tudor, Sinn has some claim to fame, and Longines watches are good, but none of them are particularly interesting or innovative.
I wonder if hour 'dot' features could be printed onto the inside of the crystal; for a subtle floating effect and without sacrificing the purity of the design.
it definitely is a stunning watch, but I think it is too much of a one-trick pony and that its on wrist appeal quickly would fade for me. I wanted to add a moon phase watch to my collection, and I ended up getting a Farer, which I think has a more interesting dial and case design, is more versatile, costs less, and which I can actually use as a timepiece.
The Agelocer moonphase seems to make up for all the cons mentioned in this model while having a very similar dial design. I'd love to see you review it some time. I've always been curious about it.
The aventurine is certainly stunning. But I love and much prefer my C1 Moonglow. On mesh bracelet it looks and feels so elegant. Agreed these certainly aren't for anyone who is looking for a tool watch or daily wearing. But they definitely deserve serious consideration in a larger collection and by anyone who is looking for something out of the ordinary, especially for dress wear. Jody, you make watch collecting fun!
3:05 Jodes, no one is buying any mechanical watch for accuracy, so lets stop pretending like accuracy matters. Accuracy left the conversation in the 60s/70s when quartz came about
Not sure if I agree with that entirely. COSC still has some relevance, people still set their mechanicals to the correct time. Not easy with this one! Chers!
I know CW watches are well made because I've had quite a few.... but I think this actually looks like a cheap jangly TK Max £29.99 special on the wrist shot
IMO that metal case and bracelet doesnt suit the face. The leather was a good compromise but as you said that has its own issues. I think a dimpled case that represented the cratered surface of the moon would have been perfect.
I have a concept dial Moser Endeavour. I agree with you. If you're going the sterile dial route, leave all text off. My Moser has no text whatsoever. The beautiful dial speaks for itself. CW ahould have followed suit. I think if I get a moon phase, I will just go for that new radio controlled Citizen moonphase. When it syncs, it takes care of setting the moon phase for you. Pretty brilliant and I'm surprised it hasn't been done before now
In many shots here, it really looks like a huge GASH/SCRATCH near the 2/2:30 point of the dial, which is absent in other shots? Is that a design of the dial & moonphase feature? The overall look reminds me of the NOKIA STEEL HR. I can't get past the negatives, especially the general pretentiousness of it. Overpriced and not special, I suspect this comes down to how much disposable income you have. I just cannot like this watch, and can't see the positives, but "to each their own". Very informative video, very judicious review, I certainly wouldn't have been so unbiased.
I really enjoyed watching this review. This watch definitely looks better with the metal bracelet. I really like the bracelet. Perhaps Christopher Ward should consider either micro drilling or laser etching hour divots into the underside of the sapphire crystal to indicate 12, 3, 6, and 9 hours in order to facilitate precisely setting the correct time. Perhaps laser etch the 3, 6, and 9 divots and micro drill the 12 divot so that the 12 divot could be filled with lume. Similarly, the hour and minute hands need some sort of lume filled divots. "SWISS MADE" is distracting and should be removed from the aventurine dial since it is also on the caseback. Anyway, these are my thoughts for how this lovely watch could be tweaked for better functionality.
Great looking watch, the dial is very special for the price. I just think it’s too big for a classy/dressy watch. Thicker than a speedy and over 40mm. I think this dial in a 36 or 38 would look great
Greetings Had they left the hour and minute indicators, I'd be all over this. What are other recommended watches with a pretty or clever moon phase indication?
I agree totally with your critique of the text on the dial. Those things belong on the caseback. My take is this is an exhibition dress watch, and that the confusing and superfluos element is the seconds hand. Any thought of practicality or toughness has nothing to do with this piece. This is black tie country! Edit: The lume is a popart mistake.
It's pretty, but without markers, I think it is more jewellry than a timepiece. Your criticisms were more pointing out design features rather than flaws.
As has been stated before, Sugess has a version which is smaller, thinner and even available in rose gold finish for c.a. 2xx dollars. This one is to big, too thick and does not even look refined, much less dressy to me. Regards
It's a beauty! I dont understand the point of the second hand, since you can't precisely time things with it. The bracelet is lovely, but I do prefer it on the leather strap. I could see this watch going well with a suit, or when on leather, even with a tuxedo.
Just read on the comments re the C63 Celeste -Nice - but I would prefer the a plain dial simplicity of the Moonphase minus Swiss made, but with small indices for the hours and minutes
Not super impressed with the execution of this one. The case seems a bit at odds with the dial. The dials screams dress watch but the case is a bit sporty and a bit too chunky. I think this issues is more pronounced with that bracelet. I think it looks a little bit dressier on the leather. I think a smaller and slimmer case would have been better. I appreciate a slimmer case would not be simple seeing as there are two slabs of aventurine in there. Maybe they should have dropped the rotor and went with a manual wind? Also I would like to see some subtle indices. Even if they are just hour markers. I'm that guy who sets my watch to the second so I need indices. And like you said, dropping everything from the dial but leaving "Swiss Made" just looks odd. This watch had a lot of potential bus misses the mark, for me.
I like the watch, but with two caveats: 1) The handset looks as though it was ripped off of another watch and dropped on the dial. It's almost too angular for such a whimsical piece. Something a little more ornate or interesting would've been appreciated (like Moser-style leaf hands). 2) The bracelet seems too conventional for a watch this dressy (it looks like what you see on some of the more common Seiko Presages and lower-end Tissots, even if it is well-finished). I'm sure they were trying to keep costs down, so they didn't want to get too crazy with the bracelet, but a more unique design would've really helped frame that dial appropriately.
I would love this as a dress watch and conversation starter, but it's too big to be a dress watch imo. And I agree with the comment below about its gimmicky nature not being interesting enough for the price. I respect the fact that they took a chance, though! It's obviously not going to be in everyone's taste. I'm guessing it's difficult to predict how many they're going to sell, making it equally difficult to set the right price.
If they had just done a brushed finish on one side of the hands, they wouldn't disappear like that. I have a Trident C65 GMT, and the center strip where the lume is located is brushed, and the sides are polished, and it is insanely legible, even in dim light. And it isn't the lume, it has very little of that, the hands are just always visible.
A stunner! Glad they made it, but there’s virtually no way I’d own one, for the reasons outlined by Jody. The Celest, however …. Is that coming up soon Jody?
I bought The Twelve, I love it and wear it more than my more expensive watches. I presume and hope that CW monitor comments. I love the watch and the adventurine dial, but I am not interested in a moon phase watch; also there is a need for hour and minute indices perhaps just small ‘pips’ If they made a similar but less expensive watch with the same adventurine dial (minus the moon phase complication) on the consort bracelet I might be inclined to purchase it.
A beautifully case and dial. Not so sure of the bracelet or strap. The bracelet is too busy for the lines of the case. I'm thinking a mesh band would suit it better. The strap looks too narrow at the case. The clasp appears to have a more dramatic curve than seems comfortable. But my complaints probably mean little as I *not* the demographic for this anyway. A great and distinctive design - for somebody with a bigger toy budget than mine. Great review as always!
Movado Museum watch with a bigger mobile blob at the top? Having said that, I like it but I suspect it would go straight in a drawer (if that makes any sense at all). You didn't mention that you'd need to keep it wound to keep the moon phase in phase, or you have to reset it when you take it out of the drawer or you wear it with the watch showing the moon incorrectly. At least you could see the phase of the moon at night, or you could just look up in the sky to the moon phase that never needs adjusting. But the moon phase isn't the most useless complication on a wristwatch, that prize must go to the tourbillon - invented to reduce the effect of gravity on the escapement of a stationary clock - completely pointless on a wristwatch unless worn by a corpse.
Nice review!! Id love to own this, specially when attending social events, like if i get to meet Neil deGrasse Tyson! or any gala, at events like that, time is the least of my worries! Wish it was more rugged because I'm a clutz! My watches get banged in doorways, cars, trains! 🥂
I dunno, I kinda think it’s gorgeous. Sometimes, impracticality is the point, and this makes a somewhat convincing argument. Although the price argues very effectively against it. Might be different in person, but the starfield looks great. While a moonphase is mostly kinda useless, they just resonate with me. And when it comes down to it, if I need practical, I’ll wear one of my Casio Duros. I was starting to think “what if they lumed the hands?” Maybe with one side of the dauphine hands lumed, one polished, akin to the half-polished, half-brushed style. But I kinda feel that’d ruin the boldness of the bright glowing moon. While traditional hour markers would break up the clean dial, maybe 12 indents in the bezel would have worked. That might add some practicality back while keeping the watch face as empty as space. So to put it another way: I’d never consider a watch of this price. I have a pleasant little Casio collection I’m quite happy with (a gorgeous 3-hands Oceanus T200 at the top). But of all the kinds of watches with a price this high, most just do the same thing one Casio or another does. Is a Black Bay nicer than a Duro? Yeah, and the gap in finish level is doubtless very wide, but like, they’re both archetypical divers. One is better, but there’s countless different dive watches at all tiers of quality. This, however, seems unlike anything else. If I had a watch this pricey, I’d rather it be as unique as this moonphase.
Great review as always, Jody! This one's absolutely not for me. It's not ugly, but it fails at actually being a *Watch*. Aside from the legibility issue, it would annoy me to always have to refer to "a little past 2" and "not quite 3:30". I mean, what is the second hand on that watch even *for*?
Jody, I was just about to ask if you've seen the Sugess moon phase aventurine dial watch, but then I noticed @moneymikz below beat me to it! Still - I'd love to hear your thoughts on those watches if you've had a chance to see them yet. Sugess also has a very dial version that is basically all aventurine. Super incredible!
They have made an amazing job of making genuinely distinct and varied watches right off the bat. Not putting out divers one after the other like many do
This would be true if CW started business in 2022 but they've been in business for like more than a decade and pumped out plenty of different models of dive watch
@@Horizontalvertigo. You’re missing his point, this watch is original.
@@frzmtl3849 no I got his point, and it's wrong.
Gorgeous! I really think this belongs on that leather strap though. It looks so much better than the bracelet to me.
That is definitely a beautiful watch... that I would never dream of purchasing. It's basically everything I DON'T look for in a watch but absolutely lovely and I'm certain it is finished to perfection.
I just got my Sugess moon phase in the mail with the aventurine dial, and I love it. Best $115 you can spend on a watch
Of CW's recent releases, I would prefer the 12 or Belcanto but you can't go wrong with any of them. Not for me but drop dead gorgeous.
Great review, I agree completely. I handled one of these at Christopher Ward's showroom and ended up buying the Moonglow instead - I just needed more practicality and have admired the Moonglow since it came out.
Agreed, I think as a whole the Moonglow is a better aesthetic design.
@@MrShoryuken1 Agreed - the Moonglow is a much nicer design for me.
What color is that aventurine dial, black, deep blue or purple?
@@michaelredding6219 looked black to me
@@michaelredding6219 ....but very dark purple is also a possibility 🙂
The whole point of this watch is its impracticality. There's a metaphor lurking around the idea that at night you can only tell the time by the moon. This is the third iteration of a moonphase from the brand and is certainly the most whimsical. It's not for everyone, it's not for me but it is very good looking and for those who want this it's also great value. I also wish they'd left "Swiss Made" off the dial. If you want an aventurine dial with more practicality and a smaller size CW now offer a C63 Sealander in 39 mm, indices, lume and water resistance. It's called the Celeste.
Holy Tourbillon Batman! Is Jody being sent free CW Watches now. Damn…Good for you mate! It’s a beauty, but I have just way too many watches I want before I would get something like this for my collection. But again, it’s a beauty.
Absolutely beautiful watch and its bold design choices are to be applauded. The presence of SWISS MADE and the absence of CW branding just reflects the relative marketing power of those two marques and is an attempt to separate the watch from the 500 USD microbrand pack. Jody's concerns about legibility and practicality can be rationalised if you accept that this watch is not even attempting to compete in the GADA category. It's purely a dress watch to be judged as an objet d'art . As Jody himself might have said : If you really need to know the time wear a CASIO 😀
Agreed, gorgeous watch, the timekeeping is almost besides the point!
Exactly, wear this on the left and trusty Casio a1000 on the right ❤
I hate to say this, but Sugess also make an adventurine moonphase, also with a lumed moon, and with the added features of legibility and the ability to be set accurately. It’s also a fraction of the price. Yes, I know it’s Chinese and not Swiss, but in this case, I think it’s the far better deal.
Great hint! I was not aware of this watch before.
If only there would be something between those two. CW is pretty to look at but it's super impractical, whereas the Sugess' version is far too busy to be considered gorgeous. Plus I'm inherently distrustful of Seagull movements...
@@zwerkocheck out loresum, they will launch a big moonphase with aventurine at around 600 gbp in February that absolutely looks the bollocks. Way nicer than the CW in my opinion, miyota movement (so not swiss, but proven and reliable), and looks like a nice in between
@@watchthewatch3354 but its going to be a real moonphase?
Not the same degree finish quality lol not the same category or close to it.
They should have done small silver dots for hour markers. At least that way you could tell time with it😂.
Great review on the pro and cons. I suspect legibility will be an issue but this review clearly shows it.
Thanks for actually showing the moon in different phases none of the previous reviews that I watched showed that feature which is the main one if I'm not mistaken Be well my friend
I really like that clean dial, and the big lumed moon. I also like that the dial covers the other moon that circulates around, I really think CW are doing great lately.
So its pretty much a movado museum watch but blingy with a big ass moonphase. Cool
Nice looking watch, I get the idea they were going after, but not for $2300. The swiss made on the dial just looks odd and needs to go. I can get a better conversation starter piece for a hell of a lot less.
The glaring most obvious negative is the "swiss made" painted on.
Bang on review.
I am tempted by this. I could do without the Swiss made though and realistically could do without the moon phase. A lump of aventurine without moon phase would be just as pleasing to me!
I had a MOVADO for many years as a daily use watch. Never had issues setting the date. It’s approximate! And the watch would look really nice on a better, classier leather strap
I have a Movado and I love it. I find the aesthetics very pleasing
So does the North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un... HEY, WAIT A SECOND
My Wiccan spouse assures me moon phases are very relevant.
I'm just disappointed you never reviewed the C1 Moonglow. THAT is the watch I've been eyeing for years...
IMO it should have been 36mm with hour markers and no seconds hand. Beautiful dial, but a big miss for me. Cheers for the review though!
I kind of agree with dropping the second hand. But at that point, you may as well go quartz, and then the whole point of the watch is lost. 🤷
Lovely watch, although i prefer the celeste. Just hope they make it in a 38mm in time.
Check out the Sugess aventurine h moser homage. $200. Not as good if a movement but who cares lol. Actually well decorated as well
Great minds think alike. I mentioned this one too. It’s got it all, adventurine and a lumed moon.
Interesting addition, CW are assembling a rather rounded collection, go back 4 years and the offered dive and tool watches. Interesting module added to the base movement, most click round per day on a modified date model, if I’m right the moon on thin moves constantly. One thing I’m not keen on is that the moon seems pixelated but I would need to see it in hand. Moonphase is a good complication if you’re interested in tides…just saying 😁
You add minute markers and it makes it so much better. Would love an Aventurine dial, but this is too expensive to be this impractical
Stunning! The effect as the lume fades is brilliant!
I have nothing nice to say 😅
I understand. Aventurine can’t convince everyone. I however, would’ve forked the contents of my entire wallet over already if I weren’t skint
@@ailestriker9888 it’s an acquired taste. I’m sure it’s well built
I wouldn't be surprised if this watch will lose value as soon as you take it out of the box. For the price, I'm sure there are very good collectable moon phase watches out there.
Most watches do mate.
If there were and everyone knew what they were you wouldn't be able to get one. Sure, you might score a hidden gem before it gets any hype, but almost all watches lose value.
All but a handful of watches do!
Life is about more than just making money. Buy what you love and want to wear, if you need to recoup the money to live on, you shouldn't be spending so much.
About the Swiss Made marker :
In order for a watch to be eligible for the "Swiss Made" label, having the indicator somewhere on the dial is mandatory. if you want to be able to legally advertise your watch as being "Swiss Made" then you don't have a choice (unless you're H. Moser and consider the label to be a joke because it mostly requires assembly in Switzerland, does not include dials and bracelets and is calculated based on added value, so instead you don't label your watches say it's "made in-house and our house is in Switzerland")
If I want a giant moon on my watch there is Meistersinger Lunascope, imho it is much classy and practical also has a better looking design (specially blue and yellow variant). Als MS has nice single hand vibe which is a very good conversation starter. I have a no3 from MS maybe I am being biased, I dont know :)
thats mad. when i saw it in the SOTC video yesterday i was like "that's no moon. it's a space sta... er, i mean, a christopher ward"
That type of dial asthetic might look good as as a wall clock in a man cave or study but not as wrist watch
I can't put my finger on it but it feels like a Sugess lol. I swear I've seen something like this while scrolling Aliex at 2am.
I have an emerging problem with CW unfortunately - their new watches are great, but the price point keeps escalating. I own 3 CWs all ~ AUD 1,500 including delivery; at that price point they are terrific value and one of the best brands in the AUD 1-2K range.
But they want AUD 3,275 (excl delivery) for this Moonphase and AUD 5,275 for the Bel Canto, both on leather straps. These are beautiful but fairly experimental watches. At these price points I can buy some of the best Longines, Sinn or Tudor watches. So I really like these CWs but I would buy a Tudor BB 58, every day of the week, before a Bel Canto.
I'd definitely get a Bel Canto over the 58, 58s are ubiquitous, and I just deeply appreciate the watchmaking in the design of a chiming watch, along with the modern interpretation of a classic watch style. There's nothing special about modern Tudor, Sinn has some claim to fame, and Longines watches are good, but none of them are particularly interesting or innovative.
I wonder if hour 'dot' features could be printed onto the inside of the crystal; for a subtle floating effect and without sacrificing the purity of the design.
it definitely is a stunning watch, but I think it is too much of a one-trick pony and that its on wrist appeal quickly would fade for me. I wanted to add a moon phase watch to my collection, and I ended up getting a Farer, which I think has a more interesting dial and case design, is more versatile, costs less, and which I can actually use as a timepiece.
It does look like Movado Museum with extra practicality i must say. A good dress watch, would've been perfect if it was 38 or less.
The Agelocer moonphase seems to make up for all the cons mentioned in this model while having a very similar dial design. I'd love to see you review it some time. I've always been curious about it.
Sugess has a really nice star dial watch but its way too big for me. Has a moon phase double date window and fully automatic
The aventurine is certainly stunning. But I love and much prefer my C1 Moonglow. On mesh bracelet it looks and feels so elegant. Agreed these certainly aren't for anyone who is looking for a tool watch or daily wearing. But they definitely deserve serious consideration in a larger collection and by anyone who is looking for something out of the ordinary, especially for dress wear. Jody, you make watch collecting fun!
Beautifully finished watch, but the only occasion I can see for wearing this is on a night out when you don’t actually care what time it is 😂
‘Swiss Made’ is quite obviously a necessary for them. Not a style of watch or watch brand for that matter, that I would ever dream of buying.
3:05 Jodes, no one is buying any mechanical watch for accuracy, so lets stop pretending like accuracy matters. Accuracy left the conversation in the 60s/70s when quartz came about
Not sure if I agree with that entirely. COSC still has some relevance, people still set their mechanicals to the correct time. Not easy with this one! Chers!
So..... how can you tell the time? Just asking...lol
Well...... It does have hands....
I know CW watches are well made because I've had quite a few.... but I think this actually looks like a cheap jangly TK Max £29.99 special on the wrist shot
IMO that metal case and bracelet doesnt suit the face.
The leather was a good compromise but as you said that has its own issues.
I think a dimpled case that represented the cratered surface of the moon would have been perfect.
I love the Christopher Ward C1 Moonglow. This is nice enough, but definitely not my preference.
I have a concept dial Moser Endeavour. I agree with you. If you're going the sterile dial route, leave all text off. My Moser has no text whatsoever. The beautiful dial speaks for itself. CW ahould have followed suit.
I think if I get a moon phase, I will just go for that new radio controlled Citizen moonphase. When it syncs, it takes care of setting the moon phase for you. Pretty brilliant and I'm surprised it hasn't been done before now
Very nice but I agree that the Swiss Made text being such a prominent feature of the dial was a very unfortunate choice.
In many shots here, it really looks like a huge GASH/SCRATCH near the 2/2:30 point of the dial, which is absent in other shots? Is that a design of the dial & moonphase feature? The overall look reminds me of the NOKIA STEEL HR. I can't get past the negatives, especially the general pretentiousness of it. Overpriced and not special, I suspect this comes down to how much disposable income you have. I just cannot like this watch, and can't see the positives, but "to each their own". Very informative video, very judicious review, I certainly wouldn't have been so unbiased.
The dial has two layers. The moon is on the bottom layer and "hides' as it goes around. That's what you are seeing
I really enjoyed watching this review. This watch definitely looks better with the metal bracelet. I really like the bracelet. Perhaps Christopher Ward should consider either micro drilling or laser etching hour divots into the underside of the sapphire crystal to indicate 12, 3, 6, and 9 hours in order to facilitate precisely setting the correct time. Perhaps laser etch the 3, 6, and 9 divots and micro drill the 12 divot so that the 12 divot could be filled with lume. Similarly, the hour and minute hands need some sort of lume filled divots. "SWISS MADE" is distracting and should be removed from the aventurine dial since it is also on the caseback. Anyway, these are my thoughts for how this lovely watch could be tweaked for better functionality.
Great looking watch, the dial is very special for the price. I just think it’s too big for a classy/dressy watch. Thicker than a speedy and over 40mm. I think this dial in a 36 or 38 would look great
My thoughts exactly, from the moment that I saw this.
I love the looks of this watch! I do like it better on the bracelet. I don’t have a moon phase at all so I’d like to add one to the collection
Greetings
Had they left the hour and minute indicators, I'd be all over this.
What are other recommended watches with a pretty or clever moon phase indication?
I bought one two weeks ago. It's a beautiful piece, and the sparkling Aventurine dial makes women slightly more interested in me.
I agree totally with your critique of the text on the dial. Those things belong on the caseback.
My take is this is an exhibition dress watch, and that the confusing and superfluos element is the seconds hand.
Any thought of practicality or toughness has nothing to do with this piece. This is black tie country!
Edit: The lume is a popart mistake.
It's pretty, but without markers, I think it is more jewellry than a timepiece. Your criticisms were more pointing out design features rather than flaws.
As has been stated before, Sugess has a version which is smaller, thinner and even available in rose gold finish for c.a. 2xx dollars. This one is to big, too thick and does not even look refined, much less dressy to me. Regards
It's a beauty! I dont understand the point of the second hand, since you can't precisely time things with it. The bracelet is lovely, but I do prefer it on the leather strap. I could see this watch going well with a suit, or when on leather, even with a tuxedo.
Guess I have to admit to myself that I place practicality over looks. So, I think that this one misses most of my marks. Nice effort, though!
The price, the hands, the legibility… no thank you.
Just read on the comments re the C63 Celeste -Nice - but I would prefer the a plain dial simplicity of the Moonphase minus Swiss made, but with small indices for the hours and minutes
Not super impressed with the execution of this one. The case seems a bit at odds with the dial. The dials screams dress watch but the case is a bit sporty and a bit too chunky. I think this issues is more pronounced with that bracelet. I think it looks a little bit dressier on the leather.
I think a smaller and slimmer case would have been better. I appreciate a slimmer case would not be simple seeing as there are two slabs of aventurine in there. Maybe they should have dropped the rotor and went with a manual wind?
Also I would like to see some subtle indices. Even if they are just hour markers. I'm that guy who sets my watch to the second so I need indices.
And like you said, dropping everything from the dial but leaving "Swiss Made" just looks odd.
This watch had a lot of potential bus misses the mark, for me.
I like the watch, but with two caveats:
1) The handset looks as though it was ripped off of another watch and dropped on the dial. It's almost too angular for such a whimsical piece. Something a little more ornate or interesting would've been appreciated (like Moser-style leaf hands).
2) The bracelet seems too conventional for a watch this dressy (it looks like what you see on some of the more common Seiko Presages and lower-end Tissots, even if it is well-finished). I'm sure they were trying to keep costs down, so they didn't want to get too crazy with the bracelet, but a more unique design would've really helped frame that dial appropriately.
Never felt the need to track the moon on my wrist, I tend to just look up at the sky for that.
I would love this as a dress watch and conversation starter, but it's too big to be a dress watch imo. And I agree with the comment below about its gimmicky nature not being interesting enough for the price.
I respect the fact that they took a chance, though! It's obviously not going to be in everyone's taste. I'm guessing it's difficult to predict how many they're going to sell, making it equally difficult to set the right price.
dress watches should really top out at 36mm
as someone said, if you need to know the time, buy a Casio or look at your phone
Gorgeous on bracelet!
If they had just done a brushed finish on one side of the hands, they wouldn't disappear like that. I have a Trident C65 GMT, and the center strip where the lume is located is brushed, and the sides are polished, and it is insanely legible, even in dim light. And it isn't the lume, it has very little of that, the hands are just always visible.
It almost seems like the moon phase indicator is a little bit too large, hard to tell on screen but something about it seems cramped on the dial?
Great fun watch and brave of the brand! Thanks Jody 👍
Very attractive, and incredible packaging - but ... umm, what time is it? At least my 1977 Omega Museum has diamonds at 12 O'clock.
I can't see this watch as anything more than just a novelty. Personal opinion though, I'm sure there will be people who will buy it.
38mm is the right size for this watch. Remove the Swiss made and add the CW logo
Finely etched astrological zodiac indices would’ve been interesting
It looks stunning!
A stunner! Glad they made it, but there’s virtually no way I’d own one, for the reasons outlined by Jody. The Celest, however …. Is that coming up soon Jody?
The bracelet is 100% identical as the 0605973 Movado . Ironic considering the dial.
I bought The Twelve, I love it and wear it more than my more expensive watches. I presume and hope that CW monitor comments. I love the watch and the adventurine dial, but I am not interested in a moon phase watch; also there is a need for hour and minute indices perhaps just small ‘pips’ If they made a similar but less expensive watch with the same adventurine dial (minus the moon phase complication) on the consort bracelet I might be inclined to purchase it.
A beautifully case and dial. Not so sure of the bracelet or strap. The bracelet is too busy for the lines of the case. I'm thinking a mesh band would suit it better. The strap looks too narrow at the case. The clasp appears to have a more dramatic curve than seems comfortable. But my complaints probably mean little as I *not* the demographic for this anyway. A great and distinctive design - for somebody with a bigger toy budget than mine. Great review as always!
Movado Museum watch with a bigger mobile blob at the top? Having said that, I like it but I suspect it would go straight in a drawer (if that makes any sense at all). You didn't mention that you'd need to keep it wound to keep the moon phase in phase, or you have to reset it when you take it out of the drawer or you wear it with the watch showing the moon incorrectly. At least you could see the phase of the moon at night, or you could just look up in the sky to the moon phase that never needs adjusting.
But the moon phase isn't the most useless complication on a wristwatch, that prize must go to the tourbillon - invented to reduce the effect of gravity on the escapement of a stationary clock - completely pointless on a wristwatch unless worn by a corpse.
Can we have a review of the Sugess Moonphase?
Nice review!! Id love to own this, specially when attending social events, like if i get to meet Neil deGrasse Tyson! or any gala, at events like that, time is the least of my worries! Wish it was more rugged because I'm a clutz! My watches get banged in doorways, cars, trains! 🥂
Bought that and the Bell Canto, both fab watches!! 😁😁😁
If they did a more toned down version and a bit smaller I'd consider it.
I dunno, I kinda think it’s gorgeous. Sometimes, impracticality is the point, and this makes a somewhat convincing argument. Although the price argues very effectively against it. Might be different in person, but the starfield looks great. While a moonphase is mostly kinda useless, they just resonate with me. And when it comes down to it, if I need practical, I’ll wear one of my Casio Duros.
I was starting to think “what if they lumed the hands?” Maybe with one side of the dauphine hands lumed, one polished, akin to the half-polished, half-brushed style. But I kinda feel that’d ruin the boldness of the bright glowing moon. While traditional hour markers would break up the clean dial, maybe 12 indents in the bezel would have worked. That might add some practicality back while keeping the watch face as empty as space.
So to put it another way: I’d never consider a watch of this price. I have a pleasant little Casio collection I’m quite happy with (a gorgeous 3-hands Oceanus T200 at the top). But of all the kinds of watches with a price this high, most just do the same thing one Casio or another does. Is a Black Bay nicer than a Duro? Yeah, and the gap in finish level is doubtless very wide, but like, they’re both archetypical divers. One is better, but there’s countless different dive watches at all tiers of quality. This, however, seems unlike anything else. If I had a watch this pricey, I’d rather it be as unique as this moonphase.
What a perfect shirt for this review Jody!!!
I used to own a moon watch. Lost it. Need a new one.
I like it.
It has a Movado vibe which is unfortunate, but I like it.
Great review as always, Jody!
This one's absolutely not for me. It's not ugly, but it fails at actually being a *Watch*. Aside from the legibility issue, it would annoy me to always have to refer to "a little past 2" and "not quite 3:30". I mean, what is the second hand on that watch even *for*?
The C1 Moonglow gets my vote over this one
It's so beautiful.
Love your content! Hope you're well!
2 of the 3 ali-links don't seem to work.
Would seriously consider it if not for the "swiss made." Fully agree that it undercuts the entire decision to keep it free of indices.
Jody, I was just about to ask if you've seen the Sugess moon phase aventurine dial watch, but then I noticed @moneymikz below beat me to it! Still - I'd love to hear your thoughts on those watches if you've had a chance to see them yet. Sugess also has a very dial version that is basically all aventurine. Super incredible!
This is really nice, i like it 😎
Is the aventurine black, deep blue, deep purple or some combination of the three?
Like it . Ostrich strap .
If they put 12 brighter stars around the outside you would be able to tell the time.