Horological Meandering

Marcus Hanke explains the various categories of mechanical calendar watches and what has to be kept in mind when using them. Simple, Full, Annual, Perpetual Calendars - more than just a date by Marcus Hanke On numerous occasions, I am asked about the diff...  

Breitling still uses the "Caliber 19" in their "Olympus" and Bentley Mark VI Cal 19 models. The Olympus was previously the 1461 (to correspond with the number of days). This module from Dubois Dupraz is one of the only semi-perpetual calendars I know and ... 

... but all those I found were either too small, too protected or too unsharp. The Breitling is a great watch, I always admired it. However, I would have difficulties reading the small indications today. Regards, Marcus

Marcus, Thank you very much for the clear indication of the issues, terms and technologies used in these watches. I especially liked the distinction you made between (a) the complexity of the date-calculating movement and (b) the complexity of the dial in...  

... always was one of my favourites, being among the very small group of sportive perpetuals. Unfortunately, your titanium version is practically impossible to find, while in steel, it is a bit easier, especially the somewhat unique salmon-dial version. F... 

that the state of the art for a perpetual calendar is with instantaneous changes of date display.

... but has nothing to do with the calendar mechanism. For me, it is more important that a perpetual can be set forward and back ward without damaging the mechanism, but I agree with you that for using the calendar, an instantaneous change of all indicati... 

for what I have read

... but I recall having seen all indications jumping at once, when the watch was demonstrated to me. The Moser is instantaneous, but has only two indications (date and month), compared to the the up to five indications of other perpetuals. Regards, Marcus

for an illuminating post. The diagrams showing how the date and day/date mechanisms work were most interesting. I wonder if there are similar diagrams for the perpetual calendar movement? Thanks again.

... but I will try to make some as soon as I can. Regards, Marcus

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I very much enjoyed reading this post. It was a great educational piece! Thank you for putting so much time and effort into this article for the benefit of all! Cheers, Daos

For your wonderfully constructed article. Though, you think that you know everything, there is always more that you can learn. And that is certainly true of your article

... with this type of reference articles every now and then. Regards, Marcus

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Thanks, Marcus, for that insightful and enjoyable write up. It has greatly helped me understand that differences and the make ups of these different calendar mechanisms. Richard

... to continue some time with the description of other complications. Regards, Marcus

I found the IWC Davinci always interesting and after having read your post, it opened my eyes for this marvelous watch. Many, many thanks ! Is there another watch that has the same properties as the Davinci ? Regards Moritz

... shares the same perpetual calendar mechanism, although without chronograph. However, they offer an equally interesting combination, with an alarm. Regards, and thanks for your kind words, Marcus

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thank you so much for this post sure a one to keep and return to in future Sincerely Damjan

Dear Marcus, Thank you for sharing your extensive knowledge with us. You elucidated and distinguished the differences between the different calendar mechanisms in a way that's easy to understand. It's a wonderful reference and a nice review of some of the... 

Got into this subject again, and read somewhere else that the UN GMT can be adjusted / settled forward and backwards as one likes. I did not read this in your really great post and I am just thinking that this should have been mentioned / stressed a bit m... 

Much to be learned. Thanks Bill