Farer is re-visiting its popular Moonphase collection, a line that quickly found an audience upon its initial launch in 2023. That first run of watches, which presented a fresh interpretation of one of watchmaking’s oldest complications, sold out, signaling that the brand had successfully tapped into a demand for their unique design language. This was followed in 2024 by the Baily, a model that introduced a stone dial to the collection with its distinctive green aventurine surface. Now, the collection is expanding once again with two new models: the Stratton and the Burbidge Eastern Arabic Edition, each bringing new materials and new character to the lineup.
These new watches maintain the collection’s core focus, placing the moonphase complication at the very center of the design, both physically and thematically. The moonphase discs themselves are a significant step above standard printed components. They are hand-painted in Switzerland, featuring a detailed starry sky that serves as a backdrop for a large, circular moon. This commitment to a hand-finished component adds a layer of craft to the watch’s primary feature, making it a focal point that rewards close inspection.
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The moon on the disc is not just a static image; it is an active, luminous element. Each moon is crafted from X1 Super-LumiNova, ensuring it glows brightly in low-light conditions. Furthermore, the surface of the moon is not smooth but features a hand-applied, subtle texture. This texturing is intentionally reminiscent of the actual lunar landscape, giving the complication a tangible sense of depth and realism that goes beyond a simple two-dimensional representation of the moon’s phase.
The dials on which this complication is set are familiar to fans of the Moonphase collection, retaining key elements for clarity and style. The applied numerals are crisp and white, rendered in a material called Lumicast. This compound, a blend of Super-LumiNova and ceramic, allows the numerals to be solid blocks of luminous material, offering bright, long-lasting legibility in the dark. These are paired with a polished lance handset, whose sharp, pointed shape provides an excellent counterpoint to the soft curves of the case.
Further details on the dial demonstrate a considered approach to design. The date window, located at the six o’clock position, is neatly framed, giving it a clean, finished appearance. Critically, this date window is also color-matched to its respective dial. This small but important detail allows the date function to be present and useful without disrupting the visual harmony of the dial, letting the unique colors and textures of the Stratton and Burbidge models shine.
Both watches are built upon Farer’s 38.5mm cushion case, a platform designed for both comfort and visual appeal. The case is constructed from 316L stainless steel, and its dimensions are chosen to provide a substantial presence while remaining wearable for a wide variety of wrist sizes. The shape itself, a soft square, is a classic, but the finishing is where the details emerge. The case features a highly polished bezel that surrounds the dial, creating a bright frame.
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This polished bezel is accented by a subtle, brushed chamfer that transitions down to the case sides. This interplay of polished and brushed surfaces is a hallmark of quality finishing, as it allows the case to catch light in dynamic ways. The dial itself is protected by a scratch-resistant sapphire crystal, ensuring durability for daily wear. This crystal is curved, adding to the watch's vintage-inspired profile while sitting securely above the complex dial.
One of the most distinct features of the case is found on its flanks. The curved case sides are not simply polished smooth; they feature a "grain twist" texture. This polished, grooved pattern provides an unexpected tactile and visual detail, breaking up the silhouette of the case and giving it a unique signature. The attention to detail extends to the lugs, which are scalloped where they meet the case body. This sculpting is not just for show; it is an engineering choice that guarantees the strap sits perfectly flush against the case, creating an integrated and seamless look.
Powering the Moonphase collection is the Elaboré Grade Sellita SW288-1 M a. This Swiss-made movement is hand-wound, a choice that enthusiasts often prefer for the daily, tactile interaction it provides. The movement is built with 18 jewels and operates at a smooth beat rate of 28,800 vibrations per hour, which translates to a fluid, sweeping motion for the seconds hand. When fully wound, it provides a power reserve of approximately 45 hours.
The "Elaboré Grade" designation signifies that this is a step above the standard version of the movement. It has been adjusted in three positions to improve its timekeeping accuracy and features an Incabloc shock absorber for enhanced durability. Functionally, this movement drives the large moonphase display, a hacking seconds hand that allows for precise time-setting, and a quickset date window located at six o’clock.
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This capable movement is not hidden away. Both watches feature a sapphire exhibition case back, offering a clear view of the mechanical internals.
Farer has ensured the view is worthwhile, applying several decorations to the movement. The bridge features a bespoke Farer arrow pattern engraved across its surface, a unique visual signature for the brand. This is complemented by brilliant blued screws and solange finishing, details that add a vibrant splash of color and texture to the movement’s architecture.
The first new model, the Stratton, introduces a warm, rich palette to the Moonphase family. It follows the precedent set by the previous Lethbridge Gold model, this time featuring a robust gold PVD steel case. This case finishing provides the look and feel of a gold watch but with the durability of stainless steel. The watch is paired with a thick, rustic brown suede strap that complements the case's warm tone.
The dial of the Stratton is its most defining feature. It is crafted from a slice of stone, specifically Black Eisenkiesel. This material is a type of quartz, and its German name, translating to "iron pebble," hints at its composition. The black stone dial is shot through with distinctive veins of iron compounds, which present as a golden-brown, rust-colored marbling. This natural pattern makes the stone a perfect visual match for the gold PVD case.
A significant consequence of using this natural mineral is that each dial of the Stratton will be unique. The specific pattern of golden-brown veins will vary from one watch to the next, meaning no two pieces are exactly alike. Farer has extended this gold-tone theme to the moonphase disc itself. The moons are applied in a highly unusual gold-colored Super-LumiNova, a custom compound that the brand developed in partnership with Tritec specifically for this model.
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The Stratton is named for Frederick Stratton, a fitting choice for an astronomical-themed watch. Born in 1881, Stratton was a noted mathematician and astronomer, but his life was not confined to academics. He was a decorated veteran of the First World War, serving with distinction as an officer, earning the Distinguished Service Order, and being mentioned in dispatches five times. He was also awarded an OBE in 1929 for his war service. In peacetime, his scientific career flourished. He eventually became Professor of Astrophysics and Director of the Solar Physics Observatory from 1928 to 1947. He also served as president of the Royal Astronomical Society between 1933 and 1935 and was awarded the prestigious Prix Jules Janssen by the Société astronomique de France in 1952.
The second new model is the Burbidge Eastern Arabic Edition. This is a special version of the Burbidge that replaces the standard Western (or Latin) Arabic numerals with their Eastern Arabic counterparts. This is not a superficial change; the Eastern Arabic numerals are used comprehensively across all elements of the dial, including the applied Lumicast hour markers, the date wheel, the minute track, and even the moonphase scale itself.
The dial of the Burbidge is a striking arctic blue, a light, vibrant shade that is given depth by a deep sunburst texture. This finishing allows the dial to shimmer and play with the light, with the color radiating from the center. The main event, the large moonphase aperture, features a hand-painted disc with a baby pink moon. This color combination is not arbitrary; the Pink Moon is the name given by Native Americans to the full moon in April, connecting the watch to real-world lunar lore.
Against this colorful backdrop, the applied Eastern Arabic numerals, fashioned from white blocks of Super-LumiNova, stand out with exceptional clarity. The handset is a set of razor-sharp, polished lance hands, also filled with lume, which completes the watch's clean and legible aesthetic. This special edition is noted to be a limited release, with only 100 units being produced.
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The Burbidge is named in honor of Margaret Burbidge, a British-American observational astronomer and astrophysicist. Her work was foundational to our understanding of the universe. In the 1950s, she was part of a team at the University of Cambridge that developed landmark research into stellar nucleosynthesis. This is the theory that explains the creation of chemical elements via nuclear fusion within stars—in short, how the universe builds the elements that make up everything, including ourselves. Burbidge held several prominent positions throughout her career and, while at the University of California San Diego, she discovered quasar QSO B1442+101, which at the time of its discovery was the most distant object known from Earth.
These two new additions to the Farer Moonphase collection are available for purchase directly from the brand. The Stratton, with its gold PVD case and unique Eisenkiesel stone dial, is priced at $2,075 USD. The Burbidge Eastern Arabic Edition, featuring the arctic blue sunburst dial and limited to 100 units, is priced at $1,895 USD.
Case: 38.5mm diameter, 11.5mm (Stratton) / 10.5mm (Burbidge) thickness, 43.8mm lug-to-lug. 316L stainless steel (Stratton in gold PVD). Polished finish with brushed bezel chamfer and "grain twist" pattern on flanks. Curved sapphire crystal with AR coating, sapphire exhibition case back. 50m water resistance. Rounded steel crown with solid bronze cap.
Movement: Swiss Made Sellita SW288-1 M a Elaboré Grade. Hand-wound, 18 jewels, 28,800 bph, approx 45-hour power reserve. Adjusted in 3 positions, Incabloc shock absorber. Functions: Hours, minutes, seconds, date, moonphase. Features blue screws and bespoke Farer embossed patterned bridge.
Dial: Stratton: Black Eisenkiesel (quartz) stone dial, each unique. Gold-colored Super-LumiNova moon. Burbidge: Arctic blue sunburst dial with pink moon and Eastern Arabic numerals. Both feature large hand-painted moonphase discs with textured, luminous moons (X1 Super-LumiNova). Applied Lumicast hour markers, framed color-matched date window. Polished lance handset (lumed).
Strap: Leather Strap
Price: Stratton: $2,075 USD. Burbidge Eastern Arabic Edition: $1,895 USD.
Notes: The Burbidge Eastern Arabic Edition is limited to 100 units. The moonphase discs are hand-painted, not printed, and the moons feature a hand-applied texture. The Stratton's Eisenkiesel dial means no two watches are alike.