Introducing the Longines Master Moon Phase in Stainless Steel

The moon, our nearest and dearest celestial body. A 7.342×1022 kg mass with a solid inner iron core that goes around planet Earth at 3,683 kilometers per hour, making a complete orbit every 29.5 days if you consider its synodic period (27.3 days if you consider its sidereal period — roughly speaking).

Even though the moon is only a fourth the size of Earth, as a result of their eternal waltz, the moon’s gravity pulls on the Earth, causing the daily predictable rise and fall in sea levels that we refer to as tides. It’s said that the gravity of the moon is also responsible for an effect termed as tidal braking, which has resulted in a steady slowing of the Earth’s speed of rotation.

For all the gravity it bears on humankind in our scientific understanding — not to mention the complete collection of mythical tales — it’s no wonder then that the moon phase complication in watchmaking continues to hold us in such wonder. At long last, this wonder is now added to Longines’ Master collection.

The Longines Master Collection seeks to exemplify the watchmaker’s commitment to the traditions of watchmaking with every new novelty that has been announced under the collection since 2005. The Master Moon Phase seeks to further this.

Introduced in two sizes, 42 mm and 40 mm, the watch is in stainless steel with several dial variations. Black with barleycorn pattered dial and painted Roman numerals; silver barleycorn patterned dial with painted Arabic numbers; and a sunray blue version with applied indexes. Thereafter, the 40 mm case also offers the three colors with 13 diamond indexes.

All variations of the watch are powered by the caliber L899 developed by sister company and movement maker, ETA. In ETA-speak, the movement is named ETA A31.L91. It features hours, minutes, a central seconds hand, and, of course, the moon phase and date indicator at 6 o’clock.

On the occasion of the launch of the new Master Moon Phase, CEO Walter Von Kanel shared saying: Longines believes in listening to our customers and what they share with those who represent the brand at our retail front — I call them my best spies. It is through the combination of listening to these two parties that we as a brand are able to make decisions as to a watch and the timing for its launch. For the Master Moon Phase, the time is now.”