This is my very first Mother of Pearl dial watch, and I’ve always been curious about the hype around them. Paired with a 31-day moonphase complication, the Wancher Kaguya Murasaki Blue seemed like the perfect place to start—so let’s see if it really lives up to the buzz.

Wancher – A Journey Through Time and Tradition

The story of Wancher Watches begins in the 1990s, when founder Taizo Okagaki was working in Egypt during the Gulf War. In the middle of harsh conditions, he realized how difficult it was to keep track of time—and how important time really is in our lives. This sparked his passion for watches and led to the birth of Wancher.

Wancher watches are crafted in Japan and assembled in Oita, Bungotakada, and China(Depends on the model itself. As far as I know the Dream watches are made in Japan while for example the Kaguya in Hong Kong). On the other hand quality control is carried out in Japan and takes around five days. This ensures every watch is thoroughly tested and inspected before being shipped.

The brand isn’t just about making timepieces—it’s about telling stories through Japanese philosophy, literature, and art, hence the name of the watches too.

A big part of Wancher’s mission is preserving traditional Japanese craftsmanship. Their watches often feature Urushi lacquer, created by senior artisans who have dedicated their lives to this ancient art. By working with them, Wancher helps sharing their skills and stories with the world, keeping these traditions alive.

On a side note, it’s worth mentioning that Wancher isn’t only about watches—they’re also well known for their fountain pens. Just like their timepieces, these pens reflect the brand’s dedication to craftsmanship and traditional Japanese artistry. Many of them feature Urushi lacquer and other heritage techniques, making them highly respected among writing enthusiasts worldwide. It’s another way they keep traditional skills alive while sharing a piece of Japanese culture with the world.

First things first the Timeless Legend of Princess Kaguya

One of Japan’s oldest and most beautiful folktales is The Tale of the Bamboo Cutter, which introduces us to Princess Kaguya.

The story begins when a humble bamboo cutter finds a tiny, glowing girl hidden inside a stalk of bamboo. He and his wife raise her as their own, naming her Kaguya-hime. As she grows, her beauty becomes legendary, drawing noble suitors from across the land—even the Emperor himself. But Kaguya is no ordinary woman. She challenges each suitor with impossible tasks, none of which they can complete.

In time, the truth is revealed: Kaguya is not of this world, but a celestial being from the Moon. Despite the deep love she has for her adoptive parents and the life she has built on Earth, her destiny cannot be escaped. One night, beings from the Moon descend to take her home, leaving her earthly family heartbroken.

The tale of Princess Kaguya is more than a story of beauty and loss—it’s about the fleeting nature of life and love, and the bittersweet passage of time.

And yes, one of the latest or modern iteration of the story is The Tale of the Princess Kaguya by Studio Ghibli from 2013.

Wancher Moonphase Kaguya – MURASAKI BLUE

The Kaguya Murasaki Blue is more than a watch—it’s a piece of wearable art and I really mean that. Inspired by the enchanting hues of the sky, the dial transitions from the deep blues of dusk to brighter, sunlit shades, creating a serene yet vibrant aesthetic.  Of course it depends on the light and your viewing angle, but the colours transition from deep blue tones to purple—creating a mesmerizing visual experience. Words can’t really express, you have to see it with your own eyes. It is just gorgeous.

I have to admit I often find myself just staring at the dial and moving it around to catch different sort of lights and shadows. It is really that beautiful.

At 10 o’clock, there’s a 31-day moonphase subdial showing the moon’s rotation, inspired by the story of Princess Kaguya. It’s not a real moonphase complication—just a modified date display—but it looks fantastic. The discs are nicely decorated, and the moon is beautifully painted.

The case is made of 316l stainless steel and polished beautifully all around, measuring 42mm in diameter, 48mm lug-to-lug, and 12mm thick. It’s slightly larger than typical dress watches, but it still fits my 17cm wrist comfortably. I love the signed crown which always elevates the full package.

The watch is protected by an AR-coated sapphire crystal, ensuring peace of mind during everyday wear by keeping it safe and resistant to scratches. On the back, a transparent caseback offers a clear view of the movement that brings this timepiece to life.

Inside beats the H7M01 Automatic Movement created by the Hangzhou company, offering an impressive accuracy of ±2 to ±10 seconds per day during active wear, along with a high-beat rate of 28,800 bph and a 48-hour power reserve. The movement is regulated by the technicians of Wancher watches to keep a steady 2-3 seconds/ day, which I find amazing. The movement itself has a nice decoration, so it is a pleasure to look at it.

Despite of all that, I have to be honest, this is the first time I have a watch powered by a Chinese movement so I am very excited and curious how it will fair in the long run. I would have appreciated this watch even more if it featured a Japanese movement, like a Miyota or Seiko. However, that upgrade would likely have increased the price as well.

The watch comes with an Italian cowhide leather strap that goes well with it being a dressier watch. It’s a bit stiff at first and will need some time to break in, but overall, it feels comfortable on the wrist and matches the elegant look perfectly. It’s worth to note it has a 21mm lug width.

Final thoughts

The Dream Moonphase Kaguya Murasaki Blue combines traditional craftsmanship with artistic storytelling. Its striking dial colors and imaginative moonphase-inspired display make it a watch that brings a smile every time you check the time.

Photographing the watch is also an amazing experience. It really depends on the lights and shadows what the dial would reveal from different shades of blues to purple even with some yellowish accents. It is truly mesmerising and now I understand the buzz around MOP dials.

In short if you’re after a timepiece that combines elegance, creativity, and reliable performance for a reasonable price this one is absolutely worth considering for your collection. At 314.5 USD it offers a lot and you don’t have to rob the bank to own one!

Specifications:

• Case size: 42mm
• Lug to lug: 48mm
• Thickness: 12mm
• Dial: Mother of Pearl
• Movement: H7M01 Hangzhou Factory In-House Movement 7th Series(48 hours power reserve)
• Crystal: AR coated Sapphire
• Features: 31-Day Cycle Moonphase, AR Coating Sapphire Crystal Face, Clear Caseback, Hacking and Self Winding 

Dream Moonphase Kaguya – MURASAKI BLUE