A strikingly beautiful wristwatch which depicts both the phases of the moon and the twenty-four hour cycle of the sun above our planet earth in rotating hand painted globes, the Vicenterra AstroLuna by independent watchmaker Vincent Plomb is a piece with a distinctive and beguiling personality, and one which, with its captivating display, is outstanding and irresistible to the eye.

Powered by a superb Swiss made movement by Vaucher Fleurier, and further adapted for purpose with a proprietary horologic module by Vicenterra, the AstroLuna is an enchanting and technically sophisticated watch which takes one of watchmaking’s most classical astronomical complications and pairs it with a novel feature to come up with a display which is unlike any other, and which is endlessly fascinating.

Encased in a round case of polished Grade 5 titanium, measuring 41.5mm across and 13.5mm tall, the AstroLuna features an off centred crown at the two o’clock position, and pushers on either side to adjust the position of the moon phase and earth globes. A concave waist accentuates the curvaceous contours of the case design, which flow from lug tip to lug tip.

Beneath the sapphire crystal, the hours, minutes and seconds are displayed on a reduced dial of aventurine, which is positioned directly above the movement in the upper section of the face. The naturally occurring inclusions play with the ambient light, and sparkle beneath the glassy dark blue surface, which features applied hour markers and a cutaway aperture at the three o’clock position through which the date is displayed. Super LumiNova on the steel spear-like hour and minute hands ensure excellent legibility in all light conditions.

Below the dial, a pair of orbs at the seven and five o’clock positions rotate to indicate the moon phase and the novel daylight functions. The moon, which is astronomically accurate to an adjustment of a single day once in 126 years, is depicted as a sphere of two halves, with one half coated in dark blue and the other with hand painted lunar detail, and coated in Super LumiNova which at night takes on a pale blue glow. The other orb is a hand painted globe of planet earth, above which a small golden sun is suspended. As the earth rotates, this beautiful signature feature is a visual GMT indicator, which illustrates the passage of daylight across the planet from 6am to 6pm.

On the underside of the watch, a sapphire caseback reveals an unusual spectacle, as the movement occupies only part of the case, and like the dial above, is decentralised to accommodate the astronomical features which are also on view from beneath, set into a dark blue sky of aventurine. The self winding movement by specialist company Vaucher Manufacture Fleurier is a superb piece of contemporary Swiss horologic engineering, which has been modified to the unique technical requirements of the AstroLuna. Beating at a brisk 28’800 vib/h (4hz), the Calibre 3000 base boasts an impressive power reserve of at least fifty hours.

Enhancing the aesthetic of the caseback view even further, for an additional CHF1,575 (ex-VAT), a solid gold rotor is available as an option.

For the collector who appreciates a wristwatch with an individual character, as well as one which has been created by a small, independent company with uncompromising standards of finishing and technical sophistication, the Vicenterra AstroLuna is a wonderful piece whose exclusivity is assured with only 99 examples having been produced. It is also a watch which represents exceptional value for money.