What is a Rendez-Vous Moonphase 240 imitation?
A Rendez-Vous Moonphase 240 imitation is a copy of the Jaeger-LeCoultre Rendez-Vous Moon, a women's dress watch built around a moonphase display above 6 o'clock. The "240" in most listings is a seller stock code or a case-width note, not an official Jaeger-LeCoultre reference number. Judge the watch on its parts (case size, movement, crystal, moon disc), not on the digits in the ad title.
Why the "240" tag tells you little
Sellers reuse numbers to sort inventory. A 240 can mean 34 mm across, a batch number, or nothing at all. Two ads with the same "240" label can hide a quartz watch and an automatic watch that differ by $300.
Ask for the case diameter in millimeters, the movement name, and clear photos of the caseback. A seller who answers with numbers and photos is easier to work with than one who repeats the model name.
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Case size and wrist fit
The Rendez-Vous Moon line sits in the small-size range, and copies follow those proportions. On a 6.5-inch wrist a 34 mm case reads like jewelry rather than a tool watch. Check lug width too, because a 16 mm or 17 mm gap limits which straps you can swap in later.
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How does the moonphase work on a copy?
A true moonphase disc turns one step per day and finishes a full cycle in about 29.5 days, driven by a 59-tooth wheel. Cheap copies print the moon on a fixed disc behind a cutout, so it never moves. Mid-range copies run a real moonphase module off the hour wheel, and the disc changes position each night.
Quartz moonphase vs automatic moonphase
- Quartz: battery powered, and the moon disc often runs on a separate stepper motor or stays frozen. Low service cost, small charm.
- Automatic: a rotor winds the mainspring and the moon disc advances with the calendar train. Service needs a watchmaker.
- Decorative moon: a printed dial behind a shaped window. It photographs well and never changes.
Setting the moon correctly
Find the date of the last new moon, then advance the disc one click per day until it lines up. Do not use the corrector between about 9 p.m. and 3 a.m., because the calendar gears are meshed and can break. Use the tool in the box or a wooden toothpick, not a paper clip.
Materials to check before you pay
Four parts separate a $180 copy from a $500 copy: crystal, dial finish, case work, and strap.
- Crystal: sapphire with anti-reflective coating resists scratches. Mineral glass picks up scuffs within weeks.
- Dial: applied indices plus a sunburst or guilloche finish. Flat printed dials look dull in daylight.
- Case: 316L stainless steel, or gold plating measured in microns. Thin plating wears through near the crown.
- Strap: real alligator is rare at this price. Good copies use calf leather with a soft lining.
- Clasp: open and close the folding clasp, then check the engraving depth on the buckle.
Movement choices and what they cost you
Most Rendez-Vous Moonphase imitations ship with one of three movements: a Japanese quartz, a Chinese automatic with a moonphase module, or a Swiss ETA-based automatic. The quartz version is thin and light, and it never needs winding. The automatic versions add weight, a sweeping seconds hand, and a service interval of three to five years.
Ask which factory built the case and which movement sits inside. Catalog pages that sort replicas by movement grade tell you more than any single spec sheet.
How to spot a low-grade imitation
- Study the moon disc under a lamp. A flat printed circle with no depth is a red flag.
- Turn the crown. Gritty winding and a wobbling stem point to a cheap movement holder.
- Check the lugs and caseback edges for sharp burrs and uneven brushing.
- Compare the date window to the dial. Crooked numbers or a sunken window show rushed assembly.
- Weigh it. A 34 mm steel automatic should feel dense for its size.
What does a good copy cost?
Prices for a Rendez-Vous Moonphase imitation run from about $150 for a quartz piece to $600 for a top-tier automatic with sapphire and a working moonphase. Anything under $100 often means mineral glass, a printed moon, and a plated case. Pay in the middle of that range if you want a watch you can wear for years.
Is buying an imitation legal?
In the United States, selling a watch that carries a counterfeit brand name is illegal, and importing one can lead to seizure by Customs. Buying for personal use carries less risk than resale, but the watch is still not genuine and comes with no brand warranty. Papers, boxes, and authorized-dealer service do not exist for a copy.
Frequently asked questions
Does the Rendez-Vous Moonphase 240 have a real moonphase?
It depends on the version. Quartz and entry-level copies use a fixed or decorative moon disc. Automatic models with a 59-tooth wheel have a working moonphase that advances each day.
How often does a moonphase need adjusting?
A mechanical moonphase drifts about one day every two to three years against the real lunar cycle. Most owners reset it once a year.
What size is the Rendez-Vous Moonphase 240?
Most copies sit between 34 mm and 37 mm, matching the original women's line. Ask the seller for the exact diameter before you order.
Can a jeweler service an imitation?
Some independent watchmakers will take the job, and some will refuse. Parts for generic automatic movements are easy to source. Brand-specific parts never are.
What should I check on arrival?
Confirm the moonphase advances, the crown sets date and time, the crystal is sapphire, and the strap hardware matches the photos. Report faults inside the return window.
Bottom line
Treat the "240" as a listing label and judge the watch on its movement, crystal, dial finish, and moonphase function. A working automatic with sapphire glass and a clean dial earns the extra money. A $150 quartz copy with a printed moon looks fine on a screen and disappointing on a wrist.