With modern technology and smart watches, knowing the date is possible without any adjustment. Yet, the lure of calendar complications is time-tested and transcends all these technological introductions. After all, the marvel of mechanics is something that will never cease to fascinate! Let the calendar unfurl…
The watch tells you the time, but the day and date are not far behind! In terms of utility Calendar displays are some of the most useful complications that exist in a watch. Besides time, these helpful complications tell the day, date and month as well. The Date is the simplest complication on a watch. A Date Window aperture is the most common way to view this. Sometimes, the date can also be on a sub-dial or a date-wheel. A Big Date allows a relatively larger view of the date and has the advantage of legibility compared to the traditional date window. A day date tells the day of the week in addition to the date of the month while an Annual Calendar takes the date, month and year. However, it does not take leap years into account.
To resolve this issue of the leap year, a Perpetual Calendar comes to play. It is a useful calendar complication that is easily the most complex type of calendar feature that exists on a watch! It displays date, day, month, and year. However, the striking feature here is that it also takes into account the leap year. Hence, it will need correction only in the year 2100 when the leap year will be ignored.
Such is the complexity that watchmakers have entered in the quest for accuracy. Perpetual calendars, understandably complex in themselves, are also a beauty to behold. Watchmakers ensure that aesthetics get prominence as well. Perpetual calendars have their own design features that add to the element of visual interest on the dial. Grand complications often incorporate perpetual calendars thanks to their usefulness and ability to work in tandem with and complement other complications.