A fake Rendez-Vous Moonphase sold as "My Star" is a replica of the Jaeger-LeCoultre Rendez-Vous Moon, and its quality depends almost entirely on the movement and moonphase module inside. The genuine watch pairs an in-house automatic caliber with a lunar display that tracks the 29.5-day cycle for years, so a replica copies the look rather than the mechanism.
What "My Star" Means in the Replica Market
Sellers rarely quote full reference numbers. Short nicknames such as "My Star" act as a shortcut for one variant, usually the version with the starry moonphase aperture, a sunray-brushed dial, and a stone-set bezel. Two listings can carry the same nickname and still differ in case size, dial color, and the movement inside, so the name tells you the style, not the specification.
Before comparing prices, ask for photos of the actual watch: the movement through the caseback, the dial straight on, and the moonphase aperture photographed on two different dates.
How the Moonphase Complication Is Faked
A real moonphase is a geared complication that advances the disc one step roughly every 24 hours. Replicas handle this in three ways, and only one behaves like the original:
- Stepped moonphase module. The disc advances once per day and completes a full cycle in about 29.5 days. Closest to genuine behavior and the version worth paying for.
- 30 or 31-day disc. It steps daily but drifts from the true lunar cycle, so the moon sits in the wrong position within a few weeks.
- Day and night disc. The aperture rotates continuously with the hands instead of stepping once a day. It looks active and is the cheapest solution.
Test it by noting the moon's position, waiting two days, and confirming it moved by a small, even step. A moon that glides smoothly across the window is a day and night wheel, not a moonphase.
Movements You Will Find Inside
Most replicas in this size use a Japanese or Chinese automatic base with an added moonphase plate, since a genuine in-house Jaeger-LeCoultre caliber is not sold to third-party builders. Ask which base is used, whether the moonphase runs on its own module, and how the watch is wound and set. A modified, well-known base is far easier to service than an unmarked one.
Finishing is where the gap shows. Look at rotor decoration, perlage or Geneva stripes, and the depth of engraving on the bridges. Flat, printed-looking decoration under a display back points to a cheaper build.
About "1:1" and "Swiss Super Clone" Labels
These phrases are marketing shorthand, not a standard anyone certifies. They say nothing about the movement's origin or the finishing quality, so treat them as a description of appearance rather than a guarantee of internals.
Dial and Case Details That Give a Replica Away
- Bezel stones. Genuine diamond setting is even, with consistent color and no visible gaps or glue. Uneven spacing shows up fast in daylight.
- Dial texture. Sunray brushing should shift smoothly as the watch turns. Printed patterns look flat under a loupe.
- Moon disc finish. Check whether the moon face is matte, metallic, or simply painted, and whether the stars are engraved or stamped.
- Hands and markers. Look for sharp edges, clean polish, and consistent lume fill.
- Case thickness. Added moonphase modules sit higher, so a replica often wears thicker than the original profile.
- Crown and engraving. Compare font weight, logo shape, and the crispness of the caseback lettering.
Questions to Ask Before You Buy
- Which movement base and which moonphase module are used?
- Does the moonphase advance once per day?
- What are the actual case diameter and thickness in millimeters?
- Are the stones cubic zirconia, lab-grown, or natural?
- Is the watch pressure tested, or is it splash resistant only?
- What is the return window if the moonphase does not function?
Setting Realistic Expectations
A replica cannot be serviced by the brand, has no collectible resale value, and rarely matches the original's finishing up close. Judged as a look-alike worn for style, a well-built example with a real stepped moonphase can be satisfying. Judged as a substitute for the genuine Rendez-Vous Moon, it will not hold up, which is why comparing photos of the aperture and the movement matters more than the nickname a seller assigns.