FeatureClash of the Icons: Affordable moonphase watches – Titoni Master Series vs Frederique Constant Manufacture Slimline Moonphase
A showdown between two legendary moonphase watches. Let's see who performs better!
May We Recommend
Last month, The Watch Guide introduced an exciting concept of the ‘Clash of the Icons’ where we got two of the most sought after watches competing against each other.
The purpose of the clash was not only to highlight the best features of different timepieces basis various parameters, but to educate our readers about different watches, their USPs, and complications.
This time, the clash is between two affordable Swiss moonphase watches – Titoni Master Series and Frederique Constant Manufacture Slimline Moonphase. But before we move ahead, let’s understand what exactly a Moonphase complication is, how it works and why it is essential to own a moonphase watch.
The Moonphase Complication
The moon has always played a major role in the existence of human beings. Be it the flow of tides, maritime navigation or harvesting, it has always been historically important to keep a track of the moon’s orbit. In the late 19th century and early 20th century, the moonphase was found in complicated pocket watches, and when the world shifted to wristwatches, so did the complication. Interestingly, the lunar cycle was the first method of indicating the passage of months. From new moon to full moon and back again to the new moon takes 29 and a half days.
How the complication works: A moonphase watch displays the current phase of the moon, as it is visible in the sky. An artistic complication, the miniature version of the moon is displayed on the aperture of the dial.
As mentioned earlier, the four phases of the moon i.e., new moon, the first quarter, full moon and the last quarter take 29 and a half days to complete the cycle (which also happens to be the average length of a calendar month). But in reality, there is a discrepancy. The actual lunar cycle lasts 29.53 days which obviously differs from the measured lunar cycle. If the actual lunar cycle is followed, the watch will be off by .03 days every month, affecting the precision by one whole day by the end of every two years and seven & a half months. In order to overcome this discrepancy, the moonphase mechanism was updated. The moon disk behind the dial is driven by a 135- ‘tooth gear’ that is advanced by a mechanical finger every 24 hours, making the movement so accurate that the complication would only be off by a day once every 122 years.
The timeless charm of this artistic complication, even in this technologically advanced day and age, makes us realise how our lives are still dictated and revolve around the sun and the moon. And however we progress, it’s essential to stay in touch with the reality of life. Reason enough to get a moonphase watch for your wrist!
Now is the time for the face off. Let us quickly outline the parameters for our competitors:
1) USP (the unique selling point of the watch)
2) User-friendliness
3) Comfort (looks, features, wearability and ease of use)
4) Value for money
1) Unique Selling Point or USP
First up is the Frederique Constant Manufacture Slimline Moonphase. The Slimline, as the name suggests is a fairly slim watch that operates on an in-house movement FC-705 (hence ‘Manufacture’), having the hour, minute, date display and moonphase complications. But what’s spectacular about this watch is the see-through case back which allows the wearer to see the intricate workings of the watch movement.
Our second contender, the Titoni Master Series houses the automatic Soprod 9000 movement and has additional features like seconds and day-date display when compared to the Slimline. Titoni’s trump card, though, is that the movement is a COSC (Contrôle Officiel Suisse des Chronomètres) certified chronometer, though it lacks a ‘see-through’ case back.
2) User-friendliness
In terms of ease of usage, it’s a tie. Both watches are very easy to operate and read. The multi-faceted crown is the most ingenious feature that gives access to each and every complication of these watches. Both the watches score equally on his front. Anyone who values time would not want to spend a lot of energy trying to figure the time and the exact phase of the lunar cycle.
3) Comfort
When it comes to wristwatches it is essential that they are good to look at, very comfortable to hold and wear on a daily basis. Even though both the watches are elegant and minimalistic, Frederique Constant’s rose gold Slimline is definitely more comfortable to wear with the alligator strap. And there are other variations (read steel case and steel bracelet) available for the Slimline, under the same price range, which are equally comfortable to sport.
Not that Titoni isn’t comfortable, courtesy its steel bracelet, but Frederique Constant clearly takes the cake here in terms of comfort. But then again, if leather straps aren’t your thing, the Master Series might have an edge.
4) Value for Money – which one is worth your buck?
The Slimline Moonphase priced at Rs. 249,900 approx in India, is a great looking watch with an artistic complication and Swiss manufacture. To us, the watch is appropriately priced and gives you a lot more to offer for a fairly reasonable price.
But when we are talking about value for money, it has to be the Titoni Master Series. Rarely does a watch at this price range manage to get a COSC certification, and getting one with a Moonphase complication at Rs. 296,000 is a steal. A 97-year-old family run brand which is famous globally for its technical expertise, and the fact that all their watches are assembled by hand, makes the Master Series worth every penny and therefore takes the “value for money” tag with ease.
Both of these beautiful moonphase watches are available at Ethos Watch Boutiques.
Who do you think won? Which watches, in your opinion, would be worthy of a clash?
Let us know in the comments section below!
