Because it has become such a common feature on a watch, many of us don’t consider a date a complication anymore. In a technical sense, it still is and in today’s world one of the most practical ones. In terms of design, it can be challenging to integrate it will into the overall look of the watch, especially when it is a dress watch. Various approaches can, and have, been utilized for this, and these are our favorites!
Dress watches and date functions are not always the best of friends, but can be pulled off with a good design. We check out the various options to do this.
Vacheron Constantin Patrimony Retrograde Day-Date
Incorporating a date function on a classic wrist watch like Vacheron Constantin’s Patrimony is not an easy task. By utilizing a retrograde hand, the date remains not only easy to read but is also perfectly integrated into the “less is more” style of this watch. Vacheron Constantin was even able to include a day function in a similar style, creating true functionality in an understated Haute Horlogerie package!
Breguet Héritage 5410
Another great example in which the date function is perfectly integrated into a classic watch is the Breguet Héritage 5410. They opted for a big date, positioned at twelve o’clock. It complements the curved tonneau case perfectly and balances the dial nicely by being placed opposite of the sub seconds dial.
Tank Louis Cartier
Cartier took a bold approach when they integrated the date function in one of their landmark models: the Tank Louis Cartier. By increasing the window, it shows not only the current date but also that of yesterday and tomorrow. A daring move, as this style is usually incorporated in sports watches. It works, however, wonders, but also because Cartier doesn’t let it stand alone on the dial, but matches it with a power reserve indicator.
Blancpain Carrousel Phases de Lune
Indicating the date by a hand coming from the center of the dial is called a pointer-date. It is an excellent solution to retain the date function, yet make it less obvious. Perfect when you want to show off other complications, such as the moon phase and the rare carrousel complication on this Blancpain. It is by the way for the very first time that the carrousel and moon phase are integrated into a single wrist watch!
Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Ultra Thin Perpetual
When you want to display a lot of information on the dial of a watch in an orderly fashion, giving the date, its own sub-dial is often the way to go. Especially with perpetual calendars, this is a favorite approach, such as with this Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Ultra Thin Perpetual. The high contrast of the numerals with the black dial still makes the date easy to read. Unique about this watch is not only that Jaeger-LeCoultre spells out the year in full, but also that they offer it in a steel case.
