Are date windows on watches necessary?

I am agnostic with date windows.

It really depends on the watch. For the most part I don’t really like dates on watches. My issue is that they’re usually positioned at 3:00 and ruin the dial symmetry. However some watches, although the positioning is asymmetrical, blend in really well with the dial.

I guess my main issue is with a date that stands out terribly. And cyclopses.

6:00 dates don’t ruin symmetry.

Ultimately it depends on the design of the watch.

For some reason, this is fine:

Some are better than others. One dislike I have of my Ball watches is that the date ‘wheel’ is recessed relatively deeply on the dial face, making them rather difficult to read. By contrast, I love ‘big date’ complications as on my Breitling Crosswind Special and my Glashutte Original PanoMatic Lunar.

I'm option C, depends on the watch. I like the date on my Pogue as it gives it some asymmetry, but I wouldn't want it on a dress watch.

Not necessary, but helpful.

Some I like and some I don’t.

I can’t read the damn things anymore anyway!

C. Depends on the watch

I prefer them but not opposed to watches without them.

It's part of the time, just like moon phase. But it is a nuisance complication on mechanical watches that one lets wind down and an aesthetic compromise. Definitely prefer the date to be on a daily watch.

I generally refuse to buy a watch without a date complication. If the FXD or Ranger had a date I'd likely own one already...

I agree. Do prefer the 6 position.

I don't mind them but never use them. Many of my watches have dates. While I set the time precisely and religiously, I never set the date. And I don't care where they are located.

The date window a NECESSARY OPTION for watches. I had sign and date a lot of paperwork during my deployment. Sometimes, I didn't even know what day of the week it was until I looked at my watch. I have friends who work in the business, legal and law enforcement who are often told to leave their cellphone and smartwatches outside certain meeting rooms and compartments. If you don't have to worry about such, congratulations.

Generally speaking I prefer my watches without date windows but its not necessarily a deal breaker if it has one. I just hate date windows that are implemented like an afterthought and just snuck in somewhere instead of it being a part of the design. For example I think a Lange Datograph date is fine as its part of the design. But I hate the date window on say the new Breguet Type XX series etc.

This is not a yes or no for me. Something I like them and sometimes I don't. I do like the idea of a watch being able to hide a date window as a feature of the watch. I wonder if this has been done?

You’re not certain whether they exist or not?

Sometimes they place it on the dial like it can be odd. But if it's done correctly, I am not against it.

Haha! More like ambivalent about having one Mr. Grammerly 😉.