Horological Meandering

I … almost … agree with everything.

Regarding the 4:30 position for me also in this case it depends how the date window is integrated.

For example my BP FF where I can accept it:



Compared with the Bathyscaphe where I have the problem that the date window is not in line with the markers:



Cheers
Thomas

I agree with everything FabR says. Definitely prefer no date, but won’t rule out a watch with a date if executed well - unless at 4:30, which is a bridge too far for me.

As a physician, though I’ve mostly gone to electronic medical record’s, I do still prefer the functionality of having a date on my wrist when signing paper orders and prescriptions.

Aesthetically, no date is always more pleasing

I have both types for that reason

Love any big date. Because I can read them . Hate most small dates, but not all . In general watches are make to keep time only. IMHO

Plus an appreciation of what is not required. A proper selection of a tool for the task.

For me it depends.

I have to admit that I prefer clear puristic designs more and more.

I am not opposed to a date display in principle, but it is important to me that the date indication is tastefully integrated into the dial.

A positive example for me here is Moser. For example my Moser Perpetual Purity:



White date wheels that are combined with differently colored dials are really bad for me.

But even same colored date windows can really ruin a dial.
A „good“ example for me is the Breguet 5177 with an in and of itself extremely beautiful blue enamel dial:



Compare it to the Breguet 5175 „Ginza“ and you'll see what I mean:




A good solution for me is also a well integrated pointer date.
For example my IWC Da Vinci Perpetual Rattrapante:




But this is of course just my very personal taste. 🙏☺️

Best
Thomas

It’s a pity and I absolutely don’t understand why the Ginza is not produced regularly. I would buy it at once without hesitation.

When you see these two examples, why would a company decide the No Date would be a minority?
That Moser is killer!!!

My AD told me that many of his customers wouldn’t buy a watch without date and asking for pure dials for aesthetic reasons at the expense of function is a “minority program”. “80-90%” of his customers opt for a date version. It is not a small AD. It’s Bucherer.

ruins all the goodness and beauty of that dial. But I agree with your asessment. Maybe the larger your collection gets the less often you find the "with date" option to be the more desirable option.  Reasons for this?... you have a lot of watches and its just a hassle, you don't like the symmetry of the dial's asthetics to be compromised, You're retired ...  which allowed you to accumulate a lot of watches and also resulted in 

I enjoy my “affordable” Seiko watches with Date. I also enjoy my Panerai without Date.
However, I wish my Date windows and hour markers where better balanced.
I am not a fan of watch winders. I think of them like idling your car so it is ready the next day or week. Unnecessary wear.
Anyway, what watch do you appreciate for their Date execution?

Keeping it simple Time Only or Time and Date?

answer that says it all! 👏

Cheers
Thomas

I would have to say my Journe perpetual or my Journe octa sport. Both dates are very legible.

unless the date is contributing value to the design, but most basic date @ 3:00, or date @ 6:00, watches aren't crossing that threshold.

honestly, to me, just clutter].

I use the date complication and opt for it whenever possible. I am not a big fan of most traditional, time-only watches (except for certain vintage pieces).

The Date window for the ALS1 is the design element at the vertex of the triangle and can't be removed.
The Chopard would be interesting to see in a No Date option with a small diamond marker at 6.
Thank you!

A wonderful piece. 🙏

Best
Thomas