Long before we could tell the time and date with a quick glance of the wrist, we relied on celestial bodies to bring order to our lives. The use of the moon as a timekeeping device stretches back to ancient civilisations, and its pivotal role in defining calendar systems around the world continues to this day. 

Today the moonphase remains one of the most romantic and sought-after complications on a watch; after all, what could be more magical than capturing the beauty of nature on a dial? As the display moves, it shows the sunlit portion of the moon at any given point as it completes a lunar month, lasting 29.5 days. 

It’s a particularly challenging feat to miniaturise this process into such small dimensions, one which Patek Philippe mastered in 1925 with what is regarded as the first wristwatch incorporating this complex function. It’s a legacy that it has continued to build upon in the decades since, with the Reference 7121/200G the natural culmination of this expertise and skill. 

The feminine design is a true showcase of the moonphase in its most resplendent form. The complication takes pride of place in a display at 6 o’clock, the moon and stars elegantly expressed in its pared-back decoration. Its clean and contemporary feel is complemented by the deep-blue dial, in a sunburst finish that brings depth and delicately plays with the light. It’s a radiance that continues to the bezel, adorned with 132 brilliant-cut diamonds in a Dentelle gemsetting, in which two rows of the precious jewels are slightly offset to create its intricate look.

The effortless journey of the moon’s phases is made possible thanks to the manual-wind Caliber 215 PS LU. Here, Patek Philippe’s watchmaking comes into its own, compressing this technical function into a petite movement that allows for the watch’s dainty 33mm case diameter, the perfect encapsulation of the night sky on the wrist. 

Patek Philippe Salon, 16 New Bond Street, London, W1S 3SU; patek.com