Written by: Jessica Plumbley

Nestled in the Audemars Piguet 2011 New Models is the Jules Audemars Moon-Phase Calendar, a beautiful yet practical watch with a retail price of approximately $27,800. The Jules Audemars collection—named after co-founder Jules Audemars—was created in homage to the Audemars Piguet tradition of simplicity and elegance. Watches within this collection honor that legacy with their slim and graceful designs: formal watches with timeless beauty. The Jules Audemars Moon-Phase Calendar watch (reference number 26385OR.OO.A088CR.01) is no exception.

This watch tells the time on a silver-toned dial with pink gold hour and minute hands that point to the applied pink gold hour markers. Inset lie the faces for the weekday and date, found at nine and three o’clock respectively. The moon phase teller, with its hand-painted pictorial representation, lies at 6 o’clock in a circle slightly smaller than that of the day markers. The case for it all is crafted of 18-carot pink gold, and is ultimately 39 mm in diameter and 8.8 mm thick. Audemars Piguet built their Moon-Phase Calendar watch with 215 parts—including 45 jewels—and ensured its reliability with a 40-hour power reserve and a self-winding calibre of 2324/2825. The case attaches to the wrist with a brown crocodile leather strap with large scales, complete with more 18-carot pink-gold in the form of a pin buckle.

A complete view of the Audemars Piguet Moon-Phase Calendar Watch, including the crocodile leather strap and pink-gold pin buckle.

Who is this watch best for? Meant for men, the Jules Audemars Moon-Phase Calendar watch will please anyone with an aesthetic for ageless beauty and elegant design. The warm glow of the gold and the slender leaf-shaped hands are sure to charm, as will the knowledge that the watch is masterfully crafted.

Practically speaking, the only feature that the Jules Audemars Moon-Phase Calendar watch seems to lack is a second hand. It has been speculated that this omission is due to fear of an overcrowded face; whatever the reason, for those interested in exact times, this watch may not be for you. Other pragmatic consumers might find the moon phase feature superfluous, as our day-to-day life depends so little on that information. This face is beautiful, but ultimately dispensable. Another possible concern is the 20 m water resistance rating, which renders the Jules Audemars Moon-Phase Calendar vulnerable to splashes of water. Consider where you’ll wear the watch and what you’ll use it for before making a purchase.

Ultimately, if you’re looking for a luxury watch with exquisite design, the Audemars Piguet Jules Audemars Moon-Phase Calendar seems to be a good choice. Just be sure to know what features matter most to you before making the almost $30,000 purchase.