News: Andreas Strehler Sauterelle Lune Exacte
The moonphase might not be the most necessary of all watch functions. There aren’t many situations in life where you’ll have an urgent need to tell what stage the moon is at in its lunar cycle—but that doesn’t stop it from being a very desirable complication. Not only is it a demonstration of a watchmaker’s skill, but there’s something very elegant about a moonphase display on the dial of a watch.
Andreas Strehler is an independent Swiss watchmaker who has developed a number of movements for leading watchmakers, as well as a selection of fine timepieces. His approach to the moonphase is adding a whole new dimension to the time-honoured complication. The Sauterelle Lune Exacte is an evolution of the watchmaker’s previous model from 2014, Sauterelle à lune perpetuelle. That piece set records with its exceptionally precise moonphase display, which only needs to be adjusted by a day of the lunar cycle in two million years.
Andreas Strehler’s new watch goes a step further, giving its wearer the exact age of the moon in its cycle to within an incredible three hours. The subdial at 6 o’clock consists of a ‘vernier’ moon scale, which is made up of two separate discs—the outer disc displays the age of the moon in days, while the inner disc displays three hour increments. The watch also features the remontoir d’égalité, which can be seen at 11 o’clock on the dial. This mechanism delivers constant, linear force to the escapement, enhancing the accuracy of the watch.
The sterling silver dial has a striking open-worked design, with an off-centre time display that features beautifully tapered blued hands. The cushion-shaped case comes in 18k rose gold that measures an elegant 32mm by 30mm, and features an exhibition caseback that allows the wearer to admire the in-house movement within.
