The moon phase, a complex cycle to capture.

yeswatch

3 months ago

Late 90’s I decided to live more or less exclusively by a lunar calendar for a couple of years. Follow the real thing in the sky. Sure made for some great hot tub living. Also worth noting, they took Bin Laden out in the darkest of a new moon night. It wasn’t the generals who decided when, it was the moon.

In all calendars across all cultures the lunar phase played a significant role. Case in point, the Asian lunar calendar starts the year on the second new moon after winter solstice. The Gregorian calendar pays homage to the moon, but it does not track the actual lunar phase. It is tricky to capture this cycle, the moon phase repeats once every 29.5 days, while the actual rotation around the earth takes 27.3 days. You kinda have to be an astronomer to figure it out.

The 7 day week is derived from a quarter of the average 28 day lunar cycle. 13 months adds up to 364 days, almost a solar year. Makes you wonder why they settled on 12 months? It was done in order to give each of the 4 seasons the same number of months, make every year consistent.

By utilizing astronomical algorithms the YES WorldWatch V7 keeps not only exact lunar phase, but also times for moonrise, moonset, lunar high noon plus time and date of the next new and full moon and whether it is waxing or waning. Real time straight up.

The V7 combines natural and man made time for unparalleled horological insights and everyday practical applications.

Check out this link for the making of it: www.yeswatch.com/V7movement