ince Farer first launched the Moonphase collection in 2023, the range has continued to offer some of the most contemporary takes available on one of the oldest complications in watchmaking. Thanks to their unique avant-garde designs, the Moonphases became some of the brand’s best-selling models.

Now, Farer’s most popular model, the Stratton, makes its long-awaited return with an updated moon graphic packed with more detail than ever before.

This new moonphase disc is created in Switzerland by AJS Production, using their own unique process. Using precision lasers to micro-etch multiple layers of paint and Super-LumiNova, AJS can render an incredibly photorealistic moon less than 6mm in diameter. The finished disc is stunning, and it’s the perfect demonstration of why Swiss watchmaking is held in such high regard.

Supporting this star feature is the Stratton’s stone dial, cut from black Eisenkiesel. Eisenkiesel is a type of quartz, and the German name translates to “iron pebble”. This refers to the distinctive veins of iron compounds that run through the mineral, which are a golden-brown hue that makes the stone the perfect choice for Farer’s first gold-coloured Moonphase. As Eisenkiesel is a naturally occurring mineral, each watch will have its own distinctive appearance.

The hour markers mounted onto the Eisenkiesel dial are a blend of batons and numerals made from Lumicast, a mix of ceramic and Super-LumiNova. These offer excellent legibility in the dark and are paired with a sharp, polished lance handset and a crisp white minute track.

With its striking blend of warm gold tones and the natural patterns of the Eisenkiesel dial, the Stratton exudes the luxury traditionally associated with the moonphase complication, and it’s immediately apparent why the Stratton is one of Farer’s best-selling watches of all time.

The Stratton continues to use the Elaboré Grade Sellita SW288-1 M a. This Swiss-made hand-wound movement features 18 jewels, a smooth beat rate of 28,800 bph, and a 45-hour power reserve when fully wound. It’s been adjusted in 3 positions and features an Incabloc shock absorber. In addition to its large moonphase display, the SW288 features a hacking seconds hand and a quickset date window at six o’clock.

In keeping with the brand’s attention to detail, Farer has gone to the trouble of decorating the movement to the highest level possible. The brand has engraved the bridgework with its bespoke Farer arrow pattern, and added brilliant blued screws and solange finishing. This ensures that the Stratton looks as gorgeous from behind as it does from the front.

The Stratton is named after Frederick Stratton, who was a decorated veteran of the First World War and a noted mathematician and astronomer. Born in Birmingham in 1881, Stratton showed an early aptitude for academics, winning several awards, and went on to join Caius College, Cambridge. During the First World War, he served with distinction as an officer and was awarded the Distinguished Service Order and mentioned in dispatches five times.

He was also awarded an OBE in 1929 for his war service. In peacetime, Stratton returned to a scientific career, eventually becoming Professor of Astrophysics and Director of the Solar Physics Observatory from 1928 to 1947. He was also president of the Royal Astronomical Society between 1933 and 1935, and in 1952, he was awarded the Prix Jules Janssen by the Société astronomique de France.

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

• CASE SIZE - 39mm diameter, 11.8mm thick including crystal, 45mm lug-to-lug
• MATERIAL - 316L Stainless Steel
• CASE FINISH - Polished, with brushed bezel chamfer and "grain twist" pattern on flanks. Gold PVD coating.
• CROWN - Rounded stainless steel with solid bronze cap insert featuring embossed Farer ’A’
• DIAL - Black Eisenkiesel stone dial with applied numerals and markers made from Lumicast. Black moonphase disc with a laser-etched photorealistic gold moon in Super-LumiNova.
• HANDS - Polished gold lance handset, applied with Super-LumiNova, and with a polished seconds hand tipped with a gold Farer ’A’.
• GLASS - Curved sapphire crystal with multi-layer anti-reflective coating on the underside. Sapphire exhibition glass on case back
• LUG WIDTH - 20mm
• WATER RESISTANCE - 50M
• MOVEMENT - Swiss Made Sellita SW288-1 M a Elaboré Grade
• JEWELS - 18
• POWER RESERVE - Approximately 45 hours when fully wound
• FUNCTIONS - Hours, minutes, seconds, date, moonphase.
• PRICE - £1,895 / $2,175 / €2,225