Fastrack Space Rover Moonphase Watch Review

I was on the look out for a moonphase watch to add to my collection ever since I restarted sky watching.

I wanted a good quartz watch, something not dressy but playful, that I can wear casually and even to work on most of the days when we do not wear formal clothing.

I had closed in on the Casio MTP/Enticer series of moonphase watches with the yellow moon at 6 o' clock. They were still on the dressier side compared to what I'd eventuaslly bump into next.

THE NECESSARY DECISION:

Ever since I downsized my collection I decided to not buy watches without selling atleast one watch in return for the one I would bring in to my collection - silly, I know, but last time I went on a purchase spree, there was no restraint and I ended up spending a lot of money and adding watches I eventually won't wear. This time though, I had nothing to sell right out of my watch box except for a bunch of old watches which no one seems so interested to buy.

THE DILEMMA:

With these old watches still lying around, I was worried I was spending money on a moonphase Casio and going back on THE NECESSARY DECISION I had made after much thought - I know, the Casios with moonphase are just $60-$80 but still I was not willing to impulse buy them and break my resolve. I badly wanted to add a moonphase watch! I was in a dilemma - to buy or not to buy before selling a watch, that was the question.

CATCHING MY ATTENTION:

While browsing casually the Fastrack Space Rover Moonphase watch caught my attention. The immediate observation was the watch is not dressy and the moon in the moonphase complication actually looks like a moon!

Then the sub $20 price made me question - is it actually a moonphase watch or a gimmick! (Also Fastrack being Titan watches' brand, I know they are capable of pricing it this low but still I had my doubts).

Then I did a little research and found that the watch was actually using one of Titan's in-house 1jewel caliber 7129, a moonphase movement! I was surprised. A little digging into the online resources, I landed on the technical data for the caliber 7129.

My trust increased immediately.

This is something I not only can afford but also won't feel guilty of buying! A fully functional moonphase movement! I can anyway sell those old watches later.

I ordered it immediately. Befittingly, the moonphase watch arrived on a Monday.

THE DESIGN:

Simply put, it's quirky - it's a conversation starter. The case is supposed to resemble a space craft. I went with the white dial option whereas one can avail a black dial too.

The design of the moon phase complication is what that catches the attention on first look as the window is uniquely cut out in the shape of a space rover with its legs ready to land. The indices, date complication are all legible with proportionate fonts and cutouts (for the date). There is only one brand logo at 12 o' clock, sparing the dial from becoming extra busy.

The watch has a screw down case back.

The strap has contours, like you can ride a dirt bike on it LOL. Guess, the designers tried to mimic the trails of a rover's wheels.

The watch has a water resistance of 50M and can withstand rain and occasional swimming.

My biggest gripe was not seeing even a bit of lume anywhere on the dial. If the moon in the moonphase had lume, it would look stunning (and perhaps the watch would be retailing for more $$ 😛 ). Anyway, after seeing the shades of grey on the moon for the craters, I was satisfied with the money I paid and stopped expecting more - the moon actually looks like a moon - gels with the overall modern quirky design of the watch.

MATERIALS AND COMFORT:

The watch has a resin/plastic bumper that also houses the lug holes. The inner casing and screw down case back are made of stainless steel.

I wish they used some other material instead of resin/plastic for the bumper as it is not only vulnerable to accidental impacts but also shows clear cost cutting - which may not be okay with many. I was initially feeling bad about it but the watch is so light because of it, I was okay. The case with external bumper measures 48mm (lug to lug as it encloses the lug holes beneath)

The strap is a 22mm genuine leather strap - it is stiff but also flexible, it works very well with the light weight case - it feels so good to wear for long hours in hot and cold weather. It looks puny in comparison to the case LOL.

The watch size itself does not show badly on slim wrists such as mine - in the images the outer bumper appears to have an overhang but in reality, it is just about right on the wrist. However, I don't find any reason why the proportions can't be scaled down.

The watch uses mineral crystal.

THE MOVEMENT:

The in-house cal. 7129 is very easy to operate and accurate upto +/- 20 secs per month. The moonphase has separate control using the stem and the moon 'clicks' into place distinctively. It is easy to set the moonphase from full moon position.

Probably it's the 1 jewel - the watch is dead quiet and the second hand does not have noticeable back play. It also hits all the markers surprisingly - a rare feat even much more expensive movements fail to do.

The movement comes with a 24 month warranty. It is powered by a SR920SW cell and it comes with 12 month warranty.

If you are in India, you'd know the reach of the brand and it has stores in every nook and corner of the country - service and support is top notch. Ownership should be worry free.

DO I RECOMMEND IT?

Absolutely! If you can get your hands on this watch below $20 it's totally worth it! It just does not go with dresses and I'm okay with it - it could just be me. It's a great conversation starter and having the moonphase on wrist should atleast make you think about sky watching sometime!