Reviewing my Casio MTP Moonphase
This was my first moonphase watch, and it was an unexpected gift from my mum while she was shopping for watches in Lebanon. The model is named MTP-M305D-2AV. This is definitely one of my more elegant timepieces. When she showed it to me over facetime, I panicked as I thought it would've cost her more than she could afford. I fell in love with it immediately and already knew it would be a great addition.
Specifications
- Model: Casio MTP-M305D-2AV
- Movement: Quartz
- Case Material: Stainless Steel
- Crystal: Mineral Glass
- Case Size: 34 mm × 44.5 mm
- Lug Width: 22 mm
- Water Resistance: 50 metres
- Bracelet: Stainless Steel Bracelet
- Battery Life: 3 years
First Impressions
The watch gives off a retro and minimal vibe. It's said to be used for every day wear, but I do prefer it with more smart casual or formal attire. The square case surprisingly goes very well with the moonphase display. It's a bit hard to read at a glance, but lets not kid ourselves. That's really not the point.
One thing I noticed was how similar it looks to the Apple Watch. I went to Reddit to validate myself and I wasn't the only one. Another user pointed out that when the time was 11:05, the dial looked like a grumpy face. I made the decision to delete my Reddit account after this.
When I tried it on for the first time, it was actually a bit bigger than I expected. That being said, all I had to go off was the FaceTime. A friend of mine with a larger wrist tried it on, and to my surprise it looked the same in terms of proportions. The square shape turned out to look better than I imagined.
Design & Build
The design consists of three subdials with silver hands. They display the date, day of the week, and the moon phases. The only complaint I have about it was the bracelet pins which was atrocious to deal with. It's probably the weakest part of the package and is noticeably less refined than the case and dial. The mineral glass paired with the stainless steel improves the overall finish, and gives it that elegant look.
There are a few options for the dial colour. I opted for the ice blue/white, and believe this was the right choice. I'm not a big fan of the black dial, but a lot of people disagree with me here.
The moonphase is nice. Even though I don't use the moonphase for anything practical, I think it adds character to the watch. It's enjoyable to look at and separates it from other affordable dress watches.
Daily Wear Experience
I wouldn't wear this daily because of the bracelet and the more dressy appearance. For events where I need to dress up though, it's usually my pick. In terms of comfort, it does lack a little bit. Leather bands are my personal preference, but they wouldn't really suit this dial.
Verdict
This is a great watch to have in your collection. It's stylish, unique, and very affordable. It won't replace my daily watches, but it's one of the more interesting pieces in my collection. For people who are transitioning from smartwatches to analog, it's a great segue. I'd definitely recommend.
