Initially drawn towards watchmaking through a childhood passion for astronomy, Marco Guarino now unleashes his creativity by creating ingenious astronomical complications. Recently elected as a candidate for the prestigious AHCI, the maker’s Marc & Darnò atelier is carving a new niche for originality within the independent genre, with a growing portfolio of exceptional timepieces characterised by sophisticated horological mechanisms and stunning aesthetics. A piece that is capable of indicating the lunar equation, the Marc & Darnò Lunar Equation watch marks a world first in watchmaking.

Housed in a rounded 39mm case with a trim bezel, the watch at first glance has a plain beauty that defies its complex character. On the façade, the hours and minutes dial at the centre, which is screwed onto the mainplate, is fitted with diminutive hands and engraved markers. On a scale on the left a seemingly innocent hand takes up position to display the lunar equation, and this is where the sophisticated nature of the piece becomes apparent. This scale represents the difference between the mean synodic data, the average time it takes the moon to complete one cycle,  and the astronomical data, or put simply the difference between the moon’s apparent and mean motion relative to a gap of 40 seconds for each lunation. Turn the piece over, and the caseback reveals another dial for the indication of the phases of the moon with engraved full, new and quarter moons, and a scale precisely divided into six hour increments and days via a central arrow tipped hand.

Marco Guarino chose to use a base ETA 2892-A2 calibre for the model due to its efficiency, durability and also its ability to function with precision with the addition of complications. Significantly re-worked to include his divided lunar mechanism the calibre is unrecognisable from the original, and the meticulous finishing showcased on the front facing elements is complemented by the superb detailing devoted to the engraving on the rear.  Notably, a robust power reserve of 38 hours is retained despite the complex mechanical arrangement, and the calibre operates at a frequency of 28’800 vib/h.

A piece that demonstrates the inventiveness of independent watchmaking, the Marc & Darnò Lunar Equation watch is available with case material options of stainless steel, white or yellow gold.