Opinion: date hands are trash

I think pointer dates are cool. 

I prefer pointer dates but i don't prefer mini sub-dials for date, since it not as legible

Yes I'm not a fan of pointer dates.

I never owned a pointer date. But I think that is an interesting way of indicating the date. It's different than most watches and that's probably what I find so interesting about  them. You also have a more balanced dial which many seems to prefer. 

But I get your point. It probably isn't the most practical way of indicating the date. But you could say the same about all non digital watches. So that isn't such a strong argument for me personally. But I have to admit that indicating the date in those tiny little subdials isn't always readable on first glance. 

Great examples of pointer date watches are the Oris Pointerdate or the Omega Speedmaster Triple Date. 

Either is fine with me. Variety is the spice of life. I will say that the date hand on Speedmasters are tricky to set and not very user friendly....

Not having owned one, I think they are the bee's knees. I suspect that having to use the function would change my opinion.

Pointer dates are a very sweet complication, but I agree that the date subdial is a little bit hit or miss depending on execution. I suppose it comes down to (a) do you like a date on your watch or not, (b) how busy you like your dials, and (c) how practical is changing and setting the date on the watch.

I love my Oris Big Crown Pointer Date, so put me in the camp of liking that complication.

I think that you are 100% correct. 

Couple a sub pointer date with a moonphase and we’re all good…

I like the fact it accentuates designs that to me are aesthetically pleasing. I agree that a date displayed anywhere other than the 3 o’clock position requires an adjustment. That includes size differences. This design feature is driving my pursuit of my next watch. A Seiko Presage "Fuyugeshiki" in the cocktail line. The design of the 2 sub-dials & the dial itself is what caught my eye. The practical functionality of these design features may pain me once I acquire this watch but I’m moving forward anyway……lol

If you have one and want to let go of it give me a shout.

I love my Oris Big Crown Pointer Date, the pointer date adds a lot of character to the watch

It's bad until Patek or JLC do it, then it's great. =)

(The image is from the JLC site.)

I always appreciate having a date function of any kind. But some pointer dates are done better than others, and it’s all a matter of opinion. 

I'm a really big fan of the Big Crown Pointer Date from Oris. I'm looking to pick one up in the future. I love the way the date feels like a considered part of the dial's design, rather than just finding somewhere to stick a date window...

Regardless of the mechanism it needs to be accurate and completely line up. I hate anything that misses the mark i.e. a second hand that doesn’t meet the marker. A date window that’s slightly out is as bad as a pointer not aligned to the date. On the opposite to this, if both line up, brill

I have both types and like them both - handed date and date window. my job needs me to sign lots of documents and date them. So every time I look for date on my different watches, it gives me opportunity to fall in love with my watches all over again And appreciate them. 

I like date complications… pointer and window alike. 

Overall, I generally love having the date on my watch, and I use the functionality of it regularly. I also have a watch with a pointer date:

Generally, I don't mind it.  However, I do truly despise the pointer date function between the 22nd and 25th of the month, when it interferes with my ability to see the seconds hand on my watch.

I'm all for diversity - if it works with the design than it's good.

Sometimes a date window destroys the visual aesthetic sometimes not.

A pointer or small date subdial works when it is appropriate for the design.

The Oris pointer date example as others have shown is a classic example of where it serves the design...

Many other examples already provided so I will rest my case.

I like the concept of the pointer date in terms of being able to maintain the symmetry of the dial without a need for a date window. With that said, the extra hand can sometime be a tiny bit confusing. I have an Oris Aquis Great Barrier Reef which uses a similar concept, but which doesn't require that extra hand. It takes a bit more effort to read the date than it would on a watch with a decent date window, but it does at least provide the benefit of having the date available without the potentially off putting date window or the extra potentially confusing hand.

For me a date is practically a necessity.  Having said that I'll admit I've only ever had watches with a typical date window - never had a pointer date.  I'd like to try out a pointer for a while and become accustomed to reading it that way.

By the same token that I prefer analog timekeeping over digital because it gives me a visual reference to the flow of time rather than a somewhat abstract numerical value, the date could be read the same way.

I tend to lean towards time only watches for the simplicity of the design. While I’m not a fan of the cyclops, there is something satisfying about that date snapping forward on a well made watch. 
I also like Oris’s pointer date because it adds character to a watch that is otherwise pretty simple. 

I feel like you have give it up for how they treat the date in that JLC moon phase. Its classic and inoffensive. 

Here‘s another interesting take from Nomos: 

I dont own a watch that shows the date in this way but i think it looks nice and would love to own one one day.

The only problem I have with pointer dates is that there's (up to) 31 days in a month, which isn't symmetric with anything else on the dial. Guinand has the same problem with pointer dates and solved it in a clever way - with a 30 day pointer date and an indicator window that flips to red on the 31st day (with the pointer date hand staying on 30).

I like mine - JLC do them well...equally, I like a date window too (bigger the better). Choose both!!

Love the pointer date!

For me, a sub-dial at six with any complication is welcome! Can be date.

This Oris BBR gives me a Skydweller vibe.

I never noticed that before, but once you mention it, I can certainly see it.