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Longines Master Collection Moonphase vs Stauer 1920s Retrograde

Two dress watchs compared — $2,500–$5,000 vs $100–$150

Quick Verdict

The Stauer 1920s Retrograde ($100–$150) delivers Quartz technology in the tier below the Longines Master Collection Moonphase ($2,500–$5,000). The 1920s Retrograde measures 43mm and is rated 100m (10 ATM), as listed by Stauer. The Master Collection Moonphase justifies its premium with Swiss Made heritage and Automatic Caliber L899. Both represent excellent choices in the dress watch category.

View the dossierStauer1920s Retrograde$100–$150 Check price

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Longines Master Collection Moonphase

Longines

Master Collection Moonphase

$2,500–$5,000

View the dossierFull Review
Stauer 1920s Retrograde

Stauer

1920s Retrograde

$100–$150

Check Price Full Review

Specifications Compared

FeatureLongines Master Collection MoonphaseStauer 1920s Retrograde
Price$2,500–$5,000$100–$150
Case Size40mm43mm
MovementAutomatic Caliber L899Quartz
Caliber TypeAutomatic (ETA A31.L91 base)Quartz
Power Reserve72 HoursBattery
Water Resistance30m (3 ATM)100m (10 ATM), as listed by Stauer
CrystalSapphire CrystalMineral crystal
Case MaterialStainless SteelGold-tone stainless steel (listing photo shows a gold-tone finish; Amazon spec table says stainless steel)
OriginSwiss MadeStauer (USA brand, imported)

Category-by-Category Analysis

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Design & Aesthetics

Edge: Draw

Longines's design language vs Stauer's approach

The Longines Master Collection Moonphase features a Stainless Steel case at 40mm with Sapphire Crystal protection. The Stauer 1920s Retrograde offers Gold-tone stainless steel (listing photo shows a gold-tone finish; Amazon spec table says stainless steel) construction at 43mm with Mineral crystal. Both represent their brand's distinct design philosophy and heritage.

⚙️

Movement & Performance

Edge: Longines

Automatic Caliber L899 vs Quartz

The Master Collection Moonphase runs the Automatic Caliber L899 (Automatic (ETA A31.L91 base), 72 Hours power reserve) at 25,200 vph (3.5 Hz) frequency. The 1920s Retrograde uses the Quartz (Quartz, Battery reserve) at standard. The Master Collection Moonphase edges ahead on power reserve.

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Wearability & Fit

Edge: Longines

40mm vs 43mm — different wrist presence

At 40mm, the Master Collection Moonphase wears more compactly on smaller wrists compared to the 1920s Retrograde at 43mm. Water resistance differs: 30m (3 ATM) vs 100m (10 ATM), as listed by Stauer.

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Value & Cost of Ownership

Edge: Stauer

Stauer sits in the lower tier

The Longines Master Collection Moonphase sits at $2,500–$5,000 and the Stauer 1920s Retrograde at $100–$150. On the specs that outlast any price: the Master Collection Moonphase uses Sapphire Crystal with 72 Hours, against Mineral crystal and Battery on the 1920s Retrograde. Service intervals are typically 5-7 years for both.

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Water Resistance

Edge: Stauer

30m (3 ATM) vs 100m (10 ATM), as listed by Stauer

The Master Collection Moonphase is rated to 30m (3 ATM) while the 1920s Retrograde handles 100m (10 ATM), as listed by Stauer. The 1920s Retrograde offers superior water resistance.

Our Verdict

Longines

Master Collection Moonphase

Choose the Longines Master Collection Moonphase if you prioritize Automatic (ETA A31.L91 base) engineering, Swiss Made craftsmanship, and 30m (3 ATM) water resistance. At $2,500–$5,000, it delivers Automatic Caliber L899 with 72 Hours power reserve.

View the dossier

Stauer

1920s Retrograde

Choose the Stauer 1920s Retrograde if you value Quartz technology, Stauer (USA brand, imported) heritage, and 43mm proportions. At $100–$150, the Quartz with Battery power reserve makes it a compelling choice.

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The Bottom Line

The Longines Master Collection Moonphase and Stauer 1920s Retrograde represent two distinct approaches to the dress watch category — the Longines bringing Swiss Made tradition while Stauer delivers Stauer (USA brand, imported) engineering.

Frequently Asked Questions

The Longines Master Collection Moonphase is the better buy if you want a mechanical movement; the Stauer 1920s Retrograde is the better buy if you want quartz accuracy with no servicing. For water, the Stauer 1920s Retrograde is rated 100 m against 30 m, which is the difference between swimming and diving on one side and splashes on the other. On price, the Stauer 1920s Retrograde sits a band lower ($100–$150 against $2,500–$5,000), so it is the cheaper way into the category. Neither is better at everything; the spec table above shows movement, case size, water resistance and crystal side by side so you can weigh what matters to you. We do not test units, so this is the makers' data, not a bench result.
The Stauer 1920s Retrograde offers better upfront value, sitting a tier lower at $100–$150. However, the Longines Master Collection Moonphase may justify its premium with superior finishing, heritage, or resale value.
Both are suitable for daily wear. The Master Collection Moonphase at 40mm with 30m (3 ATM) water resistance handles everyday situations. The 1920s Retrograde at 43mm with 100m (10 ATM), as listed by Stauer is similarly capable. The Master Collection Moonphase uses Sapphire Crystal while the 1920s Retrograde uses Mineral crystal. Sapphire resists scratches noticeably better than mineral glass.

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How This Page Was Made

Our comparisons are generated from a hand-maintained specification database and reviewed under our editorial standards. We use AI tools to assemble pages from that data. We don’t invent specs: every number traces back to the database, and when we correct an entry, the fix is applied site-wide. As an Amazon Associate, The Horologist earns from qualifying purchases.