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The great date / no-date debate poll!

Discussion area for watches, clocks and all other timekeepers.

Which do you prefer?

1) Put that date anywhere on the dial, I needs that dang date!
2
7%
2) As long as well executed, I'm cool with a date on a dial.
20
69%
3) Just like where I like my watches from, I'm Switzerland. Don't care either way.
1
3%
4) Color matched date wheel or fuggetaboutit.
0
No votes
5) Keep that useless complication off my beautiful dial. No date rulez!
6
21%
 
Total votes: 29
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The great date / no-date debate poll!

Post by TheJohnP »

This has been discussed and debated ad nauseum, so why not see what the general consensus is regarding date / no-date.

Fill in your preference on the poll and show how you feel.
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Re: The great date / no-date debate poll!

Post by MoT »

I picked "As long as well executed, I'm cool with a date on a dial."

If it is in a symmetrical position (6:00, 12:00) or color matched to the dial, then I am totally fine with it. Otherwise, I'd prefer to do without a date display.
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Re: The great date / no-date debate poll!

Post by Boourns »

I voted #1 because that is closest to what I like, but it is possible to ruin a watch with a just awful date placement.
I wish that watch were 38mm?
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Re: The great date / no-date debate poll!

Post by whoagorgeous »

I actually prefer date models, mainly because I have the habit of checking the date all day long. :roll:

But I'm cool with no dates as well, since I wear my smart watch on the other wrist anyways.

8-)
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Re: The great date / no-date debate poll!

Post by tommy_boy »

Date or no date, either way is fine unless the date is a distraction, such as when it crowds or truncates a numeric marker.

A color-matched date wheel sure makes a difference, but that is not essential to me if the date window replaces a marker that contrasts sharply with the dial color and coordinates well.

One example:

Image

Here is a well-executed day and date complication with white wheels and subtle window frame:

Image

And then there's the matter of a date magnifier. One day I will heat this one up and slide it off.

Image
Just my $0.02 USD as always.
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Re: The great date / no-date debate poll!

Post by Rainshadow »

I'm conditioned, just keep checking my wrist when I need the date.
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Re: The great date / no-date debate poll!

Post by PetWatch »

Doesn't matter if or where as long as it conforms with the overall look of the dial. Day + date, only when one is above the other and preferably at 6 o'clock, definitely not at 3 or 9 o'clock.
Last edited by PetWatch on Thu Mar 25, 2021 9:32 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: The great date / no-date debate poll!

Post by Stretch44 »

I prefer a no date watch and will pick a no date over a date all day. I think a part of it is because I'm lazy and hate setting the date. That said, a date on the dial isn't a deal breaker.
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Re: The great date / no-date debate poll!

Post by cortman »

I usually prefer a date. But I don't care nearly as much as a lot of you where it is. 3:00, 4:00, 4:30, all fine to me. Only preference is I prefer very minimal or no framing of the date.
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Re: The great date / no-date debate poll!

Post by The Sultan of SoWhat »

I guess I generally prefer a date on the dial--but I hate when I have to squint to read the god-damned thing.
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Re: The great date / no-date debate poll!

Post by yinzburgher »

If I had to choose only one watch to wear every day, I would almost certainly choose one that had a date. I tend to like the look of a well executed date at 6 so I guess that's my preference. Oris has some good ones with the date at 6, like the Aquis. But more than that, I like variety. Date at 3 like more than half the watches out there. Date at 12 like a Longines Conquest Heritage. I like the idea of owning a watch with a big date complication at 12. Although it's probably more likely I'll end up with one of those Certinas or Midos with the big date closer to 6. If you're Lange you can slap a big date anywhere on the dial and people will love it. No date looks great, although I sometimes find myself looking down to check the date and it's not there. I'd still like to own a pointer date, the oxblood Oris would be nice. I'm good with a nicely done date at 4:30 like a lot of chronographs or some B & R models. Not entirely relevant but some of my favorite Rados have that day date running vertically from the center down towards 6. There's a cool looking old Omega chronograph with the date at 9 that I really like. I guess I like the idea of having a lot to choose from.

I really love this TAG Heuer Autavia reference below. I think it's a fantastic looking watch. But I remember when it came out there were a good number of people complaining about the date window......and yet all I could think about was how beautifully designed this timekeeping machine was and how well executed the date window was. It was as though we were looking at two different watches.
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Re: The great date / no-date debate poll!

Post by watchpalooza »

I am with you, if I had to choose only one watch, it would have a date. For me the least favorite placement (besides the REALLY wacky ones) is diagonally between the 4 and 5. Generally I prefer the date at 6 o’clock or 3 o’clock, typically without cutting off indices, and in most cases with a color-matched date wheel (a few exceptions). If also a day wheel, I prefer ones with red type for Sunday.
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Re: The great date / no-date debate poll!

Post by Sussa »

I'm becoming more ambivalent about dates. I don't like cut off numerals to fit a date window, or a 4:30 placement, or a round date window. Color matched date wheels preferred. But if the design works, date or no date, I'm in. I don't even mind the semi-quick set date on the Scuba Dude. Never thought I would like big-date style until I tried on this Eterna at a GTG.
Screen Shot 2021-05-07 at 7.43.04 AM.png
I also like this arrangement of day and date (and it's color matched!), even if I think a day complication is completely unnecessary.
Screen Shot 2021-05-07 at 7.51.16 AM.png
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Re: The great date / no-date debate poll!

Post by PetWatch »

This thread needs more pics. These are all good with me or they wouldn't be here.

An extra appendage.

Image


Don't forget these guys. They are watches too. You know!.. unlike what some may think...

Image


Now, symmetry isn't that difficult, is it?

Image


Day and date. Well done! Symmetry preserved.

Image


Date wheel color doesn't always have to match the dial. Who would have thought Invicta knew that! They do.

Image


Let's match the date wheel to the bezel color. Looking good, I'd say!

Image


Vice versa all the way.

Image


And many more... besides it all, who needs a date anyway!

Image
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Re: The great date / no-date debate poll!

Post by TheJohnP »

My comments in BOLD
PetWatch wrote: Fri May 07, 2021 5:32 pm This thread needs more pics. These are all good with me or they wouldn't be here.

An extra appendage.

Image

Dates make sense on a chrono, and that seems about the only place to put it. Not ideal though.

Don't forget these guys. They are watches too. You know!.. unlike what some may think...

Image

Of course a digital should have a date.


Now, symmetry isn't that difficult, is it?

Image

Agreed. That works for me.


Day and date. Well done! Symmetry preserved.

Image

Meh. Glad it's color matched, but would've been better without the day/date. Or 42mm case diameter.

Date wheel color doesn't always have to match the dial. Who would have thought Invicta knew that! They do.

Image

Nope. Date window too big and ruins the balance.

Let's match the date wheel to the bezel color. Looking good, I'd say!

Image

I guess, but would look better without a date.

Vice versa all the way.

Image

OK, nine works in that example.

And many more... besides it all, who needs a date anyway!

Image

Ah, MUCH better.
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Far and wide I will find 'em and I ride 'em
Bricks and mortar get my licks just for kicks
AD or authorized I don't analyze
Retail, wholesale never fail
Online or offline, I find I don't redefine
Too big to fail or yard sale they all hale
Run or hide just for fun deals I find
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