Dials With Date Windows: Why All The Hate?

Personally, I find the date window to be one of the more useful complications on a watch. So much so that every one of my watches has one so far. I think I look at my watch for the date more than I do for the time! It's one of those things where I just can't seem to remember what the date is on any given day. 

It is about execution and some brands do it way better than others. If the date window is an obvious intrusion to the symmetry of the dial, then the better execution is making the window an obvious feature of the watch, as in elegantly framing the window or placing and shaping the window in place of an hour marker. Matching the date window color to the dial color is always a good idea. The jury is still out on the cyclops magnifier for me. The best execution of the cyclops imho is what Panarai has done by placing the magnifier inside the crystal rather than the traditional wart like bump on the outside.

I don't despise date windows, but I don't like seeing them implemented in a manner where they mess with the symmetry of the dial.  I find the date to be a useful feature, and if it's implemented "properly", it can be great to have. 

I'm old enough that I was working for years before smart phones came out. I got into the habit of looking at my watch for the date, and still do to this day. 

I think the best date windows are ones that are well integrated into the design, but sometimes a high contrast day/date window also makes sense. My biggest dislike with date windows is when they eliminate a marker/lume plot. I love that the latest ISO certification Seiko follows eliminated that problem for me, as I really want to pick up a SPB 143 or 239. 

Some examples of well integrated dates from mu collection:

I grew up with watches with a date window, and am used to look at my wrist when I need to date something. If there is no date window I become oddly irritated, as if somebody just fooled me. 

I know the date window breaks the symmetry, but from a practical standpoint it's one of the most useful features of a watch, at least as far as I am concerned.

1. I've always enjoyed a Day/Date function on watches and frequently use mine. I will say there is something to be said about having a watch where you can thoroughly enjoy the face of the watch.  A Grand Seiko or a quality fleiger watch really doesn't need it.

I must say I don’t have hate for date windows but I much prefer either no-date or one that has been well executed to not interfere with the symmetry of the dial.

that said I know just as many enthusiasts who prefer a date complication. All personal taste, I’ll never fault anyone who wears what they like.

Very much agreed. I prefer a no date but when done correctly so it doesn’t interfere with the symmetry of the dial like my Helm Komodo I like them very much and I absolutely love a date hand complication on a dress watch.

Good question. The only thing that is a show stopper for me when buying a watch, is if it does not have the date. It's a required complication for me. It does not have to be in a window, it could be with a hand, but it needs to be there.

Oh, and as for date complications in reissued vintage watches, the first date complication on a chrono was in 1948 :)

I like having the date on a watch, and check it often. But it's not a deal breaker either way.

I dont see a problem with them as long as they are large enough. Some date windows are very small, hard to read.

Asymmetry creates tension, which draws the eye, generates interest, and gives a design some dynamism. Symmetrical watch designs tend to look flat and 'dead', inanimate gauges rather than characterful, stylish and personal objects. That's why most watches feature a date and/or other stylistic details - not because the wearer needs to know the date.

once my collection started to really grow, I started to become one of these said haters. Mainly because i make a legitimate effort to wear all my watches and find it tedious enough to set the time on the mechanicals. i find I can check my phone once and I’m good for the day, if I somehow managed to forget the date… 

personally for me it is quite usefull. i just hate if they dont have matching colour with the dial, also im very lazy to set them since i have to set it everytime i wear my watch. im afraid to set them in the wrong time that may caused damage to the movement 😚

prefer my watches with a date but it always comes down to the execution. would always like for a date window to match the dial color if not shaped like an hour marker to align with the symmetry of the other markers

That's one of the most "stealth" date windows I've ever seen.

The same reason people love to hate on Hublot.

🛻 <— bandwagon 

The perfect date window. 

I don't suffer particularly with the condition of date hate but here are two examples of where a manufacture (In this case Oris) has found an interesting way to implement the date complication in a more aesthetically pleasing manner.

The classic pointer of course..

And this one is in my collection..

I do like a date window but I find that a mismatched date wheel can ruin the overall effect.  I've a real itch for the Grand Seiko Shunbun.  The pink textured dial is gorgeous.  However a white date wheel just seems to jar.

Do people really hate date windows? That’s the oddest take I’ve heard in a while. Maybe I’ve not been on a watch forum for a while but to complain about a date window seems pointless considering how long the complication has been a feature on a watch. I like not having them but it doesn’t put me off a watch.

I don’t know if I would call myself a date hater, most of my collection does have a date, but given the option I would prefer a no-date on most watches. Whenever I sign something these days it is usually digitally so I don’t need to know the date. I find a no-date generally more well balanced. And I now have enough mechanical watches that it is nice to not have to figure spin the hands to figure out when it is AM/PM when setting the watch