A day-date watch is one whose dial displays the day of the week in full, as well as the date, in two apertures. It was pioneered by Rolex, which introduced the world’s first day-date in 1956. These two indications are also part of a “complete calendar”, along with the month and the phases of the moon. In this latter case, the day remains in a window, but the date is found on a subdial marked out from 1 to 31, with a hand. This is the nec plus ultra.
Hamilton: CHF 540
This military-inspired vintage model is driven by the H40 in-house calibre offering a power reserve of over 80 hours, twice as much as a standard automatic watch. It’s excellent value for money.
Khaki Fieldking in steel, 40 mm diameter, automatic movement, day-date display at 12 o’clock, leather strap.
Longines: CHF 2,300
This highly contemporary watch in full steel comes with an integral bracelet and a blue dial. The exclusive L867 calibre, which can be seen through the sapphire caseback offers 64 hours of power reserve and accounts for different month lengths automatically.
Master Calendrier Annuel in steel, 40 mm diameter, automatic movement, day-date at 3 o’clock, steel bracelet.
TAG Heuer: CHF 3,150
This timeless sports model was designed by Jack Heuer and launched in 1963. It features the same highly legible dial, that racing drivers can read in a glance, in the thick of the action. Note the exclusive Calibre 5, chronometer certified by the COSC.
Carrera in steel, 41 mm diameter, automatic movement, day-date at 3 o’clock, steel bracelet.
IWC: CHF 13,000
This chronograph was the first to be made completely from Ceratanium. This revolutionary new material is as strong and light as titanium, as scratch-resistant as ceramique, with a beautiful matt black lustre. The watch comes with a manufacture movement.
Top Gun pilot’s watch in ceratanium, 41.5 mm diameter, automatique chronograph movement, day-date at 3 o’clock, rubber strap with textile insert.
Blancpain: CHF 14,000
This affordable gateway piece to the haute horlogerie world, with a complete calendar, is seen here in a contemporary steel version with a slate grey dial. It is driven by the manufacture calibre 6654 which supplies a power reserve of 72 hours.
Villeret in steel, 40 mm diameter, automatic movement with complete calendar, day displayed in a window at 12 o’clock and date around the perimeter of the dial. Alligator strap.
Jaeger-LeCoultre: CHF 26,700
A watch with two faces and a reversible dial, created in 1931. It’s an invitation to collect complications on both the front and back, including a complete calendar and a second time zone. The legend is pictured here in rose gold, driven by a manufacture calibre that perfectly complements the shape of the case.
Reverso Tribute Duoface in rose gold, 49.4 mm x 29.9 mm, hand-wound movement with complete calendar and second time zone, with day-night indicator, weekday displayed in a window at 12 o’clock and the date on a hand at 6 o’clock. Alligator strap.
Vacheron Constantin : CHF 41,800 CHF
This mechanical jewel is driven by a manufacture calibre stamped with the Geneva Seal, nestled inside a white gold case. The superb brushed slate grey dial with its modern architecture also comes with a moon phase display and moon age indicator.
Traditionelle in white gold, 41 mm diameter, automatic movement with complete calendar, day displayed in a window at 9 o’clock and date by a hand and a scale around the periphery of the dial. Alligator strap.
Rolex: CHF 60,400
The most exceptional day-date is not only signed by the brand that invented the display in 1956, it’s also made of platinum. The most noble of precious metals can be recognised by the blue steel dial, which Rolex reserves exclusively for its platinum watches.
Day-Date in platinum, 40 mm diameter, automatic movement, day displayed at 12 o’clock and date at 3 o’clock, platinum bracelet.
