One of the most mesmerizing natural phenomena is the Northern Lights, or aurora borealis.
Watching this colorful celestial spectacle is on the bucket list of many travel enthusiasts. Personally, I have not yet seen this impressive blend of green, red, and purple hues in the night sky, but based on friends' accounts, I can confirm - it is captivating. The moon and Northern Lights, characteristic of the Northern Hemisphere, inspired Nordic Marine Instruments to create the new Lunør model. These watches reflect the northern night sky and are equipped with a unique double moon phase indicator with an unusual luminous element. I was fortunate enough to test the Lunør for a few days and learn more about them.
First Impression of Nordic Marine Instruments Lunør
My first encounter with the Lunør was amusing. The watch arrived on a bracelet, making it stylish and modern for everyday wear. However, when I tried them on with the included leather strap, they transformed into elegant contemporary wristwatches. This is a significant stylistic transition, for which I complimented the brand's founder, Mik Jørgensen. Few models can so harmoniously combine different styles as the Lunør. The watch made an excellent first impression, and I became curious to learn more about them.
Features and Concept of Nordic Marine Instruments Lunør
Let's take a closer look at the main idea of this model. Most watches with a moon phase indicator leave the space between lunar cycles empty and undecorated. In such watches, the sky is a static element, and the focus is only on the moon. In real life, it's different. The Lunør dial takes a different approach, making the double moon phase indicator a true focal point. Between the two glowing moons made of Super-LumiNova, a luminous aurora borealis unfolds across the disc, also made of Super-LumiNova. As the moon gradually disappears, a bright image of the Northern Lights appears on the disc, adding extra visual interest to this model.
Technical Specifications of the Watch
The Lunør case is made of stainless steel, measuring 39 mm in diameter and 11.8 mm in thickness, with a lug-to-lug distance of 48 mm and water resistance up to 100 meters. This is the same case used in the sports model Søværn, reviewed by Dave in 2024. The case is characterized by sharp angular edges, giving it a modern look, and the combination of matte and polished finishes enhances its visual appeal.
The watch comes with a three-link bracelet in an Oyster style, featuring a fold-over clasp, screw links, quick-release spring bars, and a tool-free micro-adjustment system. However, Nordic Marine Instruments also includes a leather strap as standard with the watch.
Dial Variations
The Lunør is available in three dial colors:
- Atlantic Blue - a dark blue shade paired with a leather strap in an even richer blue color. The most stylish option in my opinion.
- Shore Gray - a gray dial with a dark gray strap.
- Sky Blue - a bright blue dial with a vibrant blue leather strap. This is the version I tested.
All variants have the same dial configuration. It consists of two main parts. The outer ring is smooth, with minute markers and hour indices filled with Super-LumiNova BGW9, which glows blue in the dark.
The hour markers continue into a textured ring on the second part of the dial, with a polished steel ring in between, adding an elegant touch. The central part of the dial with a sunray effect contains a large moon phase indicator in the upper half and a smaller "Måneblik" - "Moon View" - indicator in the lower half, creating a harmonious design balance.
Northern Lights Day and Night
As seen in the photos, the Northern Lights not only glow in the dark thanks to the luminescent coating but are also visible in daylight in a light green color. As the moon moves across the upper indicator, the aurora also becomes visible, adding color and character to the watch, reminiscent of the beauty of this natural phenomenon. Since both moon phase indicators are driven by a single rotating disc under the dial, the aurora can also be seen through the Måneblik window.
The mechanism responsible for this visual magic is a modified Miyota 9015 with a custom drive wheel to support the double moon phase indicator. This modification replaces the standard date function. The automatic caliber operates at a frequency of 28,800 vibrations per hour, contains 24 jewels, and provides a 42-hour power reserve. It is a reliable movement with an accuracy of -10/+30 seconds per day, suitable for the Lunør.
Comfort and Wearability
Moving on to the wearing experience, I want to note the ease of adjusting the bracelet thanks to the screw links and tool-free micro-adjustment system. The matte finish of the bracelet and clasp creates a sense of quality. Although the bracelet is not the best among models under 1000 euros, it is sufficiently reliable. On the wrist, the watch feels good: the case quality and finish are at a decent level, with a predominance of matte surfaces and a few polished accents.
The main attraction remains the dial. Its design is balanced and pleasing to the eye. The Northern Lights add additional visual accents, making the watch interesting to look at repeatedly. However, the light green hue of the aurora may not perfectly match the sky blue dial.
Although I have not seen the other options in person, I believe that the combination of dark blue and light green will look better on the blue and gray versions. Overall, the watch appears modern, which disproves the stereotype that moon phase watches must be classic.
The case size is well-balanced. With a 48 mm lug-to-lug length, which is quite substantial for a 39 mm case, the watch did not cause discomfort on my 18.5 cm (7.3-inch) wrist. For those with thinner wrists, the Lunør may seem a bit large.
Managing the Watch
In terms of practicality, the mechanism is easy to use. After unscrewing the crown, it can be pulled out in two positions. I should note that on the pre-production model, unscrewing the crown was not very pleasant - there was a metallic screeching sound. It is expected that in the production versions, this issue will not be present.
In the first position, the moon phase can be adjusted forward and backward, with characteristic clicks heard. Thanks to the mechanism modification, instead of the date, the lunar cycle is now easily adjustable. Since the disc with two moons rotates simultaneously, setting the upper indicator automatically corrects the lower one. A feature of the Lunør is the emphasis not only on the Moon but also on the appearance of the Northern Lights, making the watch operation fascinating for lovers of this natural phenomenon.
Price and Conclusion
I am sure many will appreciate the watch for its unique display of the Northern Lights. Overall, the Nordic Marine Instruments Lunør is an original model that is perfect for both everyday wear on a bracelet and a formal look on a leather strap.
The watch is currently available for pre-order on the official Nordic Marine Instruments website at a special price of 799 USD for 48 hours. This amount includes both straps - leather and bracelet. After 48 hours, the price will increase to 899 USD, but both options will still be included until the end of April 2026. After that, the stainless steel bracelet can be purchased separately for 200 USD.
Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know the Nordic Marine Instruments Lunør. These watches reminded me of how much I want to see the Northern Lights with my own eyes one day. It's amusing that a watch can be such a motivation - a well-deserved compliment to the brand for creating an inspiring and original model.
