What is the greater sin?

A 4:30 date complication doesn't really annoy me all that much. I think it's a intuitive use of space to fit a date on tricompax chronographs that's still readable without having to roll up one's sleeve.

I despise date wheels that aren't colour-matched. It just looks cheap.

I’d like to see more dates at 12, like the new Mido.

Shit that is misaligned like the shitty Aragon I got from a mystery box that will probably spend it’s life in its box before being thrown away after 10 years.

Dislike any date complications tbh.

That’s horrendous.

Tell me about it! I should just bin it.

On the color matching side of things, sometimes it’s better not to as the contrast might help visually replace the missing indice at 3pm.

One of my more unusual date windows is a black window on this blue Scurfa M.S.21. The next version of the Scurfa M.S. has a white window, so it’s neat to have a bit of a quirk in the 2021 version.

Not overly fond of persons who nitpick the date window on a dial, 3, 4:30, 6 even 12 would be ok. Prefer colour matched but on a white background shows up well for older eyes. I have a watch enthusiast friend who hates date windows, used to buy me lunch to set his perpetual calendar watches. Not sure free lunches were worth it to listen to his rants about setting watches. I suggested Seiko quartz in place of his rose gold Pateks.

Date at 3 is the best. Ideally in a way so it blends in with the markers. In particular, it mustn't bee too far on the inside which is what happens when the movement is too small for the watch/dial.

Binning it won’t do. I think you know what must be done. Don’t worry, we’re all behind you.

Or I should just send it round the world like what @benandwatch did with a Casio. 🤣

I remember your post buddy, this watch would definitely have benefited from the NH38 no date. I understand Master Wing was trying to use all 12 tubes, but the fitment is not as visually appealing.

A good design can make most kind of date complication work. A great design can even make it feel like you'll lose something if the date is not there.

They're all fine to me. I'm not picky about the date.

Generally do not like the date window.

Which is likely one of the many reasons I like the Oris Pointer Date

Legibility. If you're going to shrink the date to sub-atomic levels, remove it or add a cyclops.

I can get onboard with just about any date window execution as long as it seems thoughtfully implemented. What I won't stand for is microbrands using movements with dates and covering them with no-date dials. It's like putting decorative laminate panels over a nice brick wall, and it makes me crazy

I'll take that off you if youre gonna throw it away 😂

I have always loved the the date position at the 6 and color matched at either the 3 position or 6. I also like the small seconds at the 6 showing the date.

That's a blasphemy, kill it with fire!

A non 6 o'clock date wheel pretty much kills a watch for me.

I prefer none but my preference is 3 or 6 with match dial colour.

12 o’clock is a sin !!

Look how nice the date looks on this cheap Casio!

I do probably prefer a 6 o'clock date if we're going to have one, but placement matters less to me than color. It boggles me that matching/coordinating isn't the default. Even more irritating that standing firm on this aesthetic preference would mean missing out on countless otherwise amazing watches. You just kind of have to grimace and take it.

I don’t like date on a mechanical watch.

If I need the date, theres this:

Not having a date is the worst and a date at the twelve is the second worst.

So didn’t vote.

Everyone complains about the Omega AT shades not having a color matched date wheel.

Honestly, I think it looks great with the white background and doesn't bother me in the least. It DOES bother me that they didn't position it lower by a couple of mm to put it in line with the hour markers though.

I also don't care about the rotational positioning other than what DrewP94 said....I wouldn't want it at 12:00. I agree that not having a date is the worst.

I (personally) think the biggest sin is thinking there are sins in the first place - there's a watch out there for everyone, but not all watches are for everyone 🤝

I am very surprised by the date at 4:30 result. I love that display on my Archimede

I think it's very well integrated and do not unbalance the dial. When done properly, it's as good as the date at 6 for me. Both these placement are the bests for a date display IMO.