Over The Moon: Farer Launches The New Stratton II Moonphase Watch
If you remember the original Stratton, you’ll know it quickly became one of Farer’s best-selling moonphase watches. It had charm, but the hand-painted moon perhaps leaned a little too heavily into cartoon territory for some. Well, the Stratton is back. It has returned with a spectacular photorealistic moonphase and a rich stone dial. And it’s more than just good; it’s great!
Eisenkiesel, translating from German as “iron pebble,” is the stone of choice for the new Stratton II Moonphase watch, same as the original Stratton. This rare quartz variety gets its look from natural iron oxide inclusions like hematite and goethite. These compounds give the stone its rich, earthy palette, which ranges from warm ocher and deep chestnut to a dark, near-black finish laced with golden-brown veins. Because every slice has unique, organic marbling, no two watch dials will ever look identical.
Farer Stratton II Moonphase
Farer found a winning formula with the original Stratton Moonphase back in late 2025. It quickly became a firm favorite with fans, mostly because Farer managed to marry a rich, tactile stone dial with proportions you could actually wear every day. The new version keeps that soft cushion silhouette and sweeping sapphire crystal, though, according to the press release, the case has grown ever so slightly to make room for the new laser-etched disc. At 39 mm wide, 45 mm long, and 11.8 mm thick, it remains easy to wear.
The finishing on the gold-PVD-coated 316L steel case looks incredibly tactile. Farer balances a high-polish bezel with its signature “grain twist” pattern on the sides for a textured look. A rounded steel crown, topped with a solid bronze cap featuring the embossed Farer “A” logo, anchors the right side and adds a thoughtful touch of independent engineering to the design.
New laser-etched moons
When Farer launched its Moonphase collection in 2023, the earliest models used traditional painted dials. However, the Stratton version — the second model in the broader Moonphase collection to feature a stone dial — introduced natural eisenkiesel quartz to the lineup. Farer continues with this striking material, featuring random, golden-brown iron veins running through the stone. Indeed, for those looking for a timepiece that feels unique, no two watches will look alike.
The moonphase display itself gets a significant makeover. Replacing the moon illustration seen in the first model, Farer has collaborated with Swiss specialists AJS Production to create a tiny, intricately crafted one measuring under 6 mm wide. To achieve this, multiple layers of paint and Super-LumiNova are laser-etched onto the disc’s surface to mimic our Moon’s three-dimensional craters. To ensure you can read the time against the stone dial, Farer also uses Lumicast ceramic-lume numerals and baton indexes and a sharp white railroad minute track.
On the dark side of the moon
Turning the Stratton II over reveals the hand-wound, Elaboré-grade Sellita SW288-1 M a. Running at a smooth 28,800 vph with a 45-hour power reserve, this 18-jewel Swiss-made movement is adjusted in three positions and contains Incabloc shock protection for robust daily wear. Along with the oversized moonphase display, it offers a hacking seconds hand and a practical quick-set date indicator at 6 o’clock. Farer didn’t skimp on the decoration, either. Peeking through the case back’s sapphire display, you’ll find bridges engraved with the brand’s bespoke arrowhead “A” pattern, stunning blued screws, and lovely snailed and perlage finishes.
Farer sensibly kept the case’s 50m water resistance and versatile 20mm lug spacing. Strap-wise, quick-release spring bars let you easily switch things up depending on your mood. Farer also offers several options, ranging from rich suede to Granolo leather, all secured with a matching gold-PVD-coated buckle.
Final thoughts
Priced at €2,225 / US$2,175 / £1,895, the new Stratton II carries what I’d call a pretty modest €100 / US$100 / £70 premium over the original model. But the second you get this watch in hand and see what the brand has done, that extra cost feels well justified. Look at the stunning laser-etched detail on the updated lunar disc, for example, not to mention the moody depth of the Eisenkiesel stone dial. Farer has done it all, capturing the traditional luxury vibe of a high-end moonphase complication without making it inaccessible. It’s an upgrade that first-generation fans will instantly appreciate, while offering newcomers a taste of Farer’s technical maturation.
