There was a time when watches only told the time. That was their sole purpose. However, as time went on, watchmaking technology improved. As a result, the number of complications built into watches increased. It all started with the ability to determine the date, and then the day itself. Since then, the number of possible complications that can be installed in watches has gradually increased.
This is exactly what perpetual calendar watches embody. With a little attention, you will immediately understand how they differ from regular watches, and given their complexity, it is quite natural that they usually cost a lot. However, this list includes those priced under $500, which should be affordable for anyone interested in acquiring them.
Tissot Perpetual Calendar T0636371603700
Tissot's goal in creating a perpetual calendar watch was to ensure accurate timekeeping, which is why they made it with a pure white dial to create time in its purest form. Moreover, they even used black indexes to signify minutes and silver tones for hours, including the number 12, placed on the corresponding marking.
The hands, in the same color with a needle-like design, allow precise timekeeping.
This goal is achieved by Tissot through the numerous complications that adorn the watch face. In the right corner of the dial is a complication determining the day of the week, and directly opposite it is the month of the year. At the bottom is a semicircular complication running from nine to three, indicating the date. However, this model indicates the date accurately, as it is programmed to skip days not included in the month, meaning it will include February 29 in a leap year and determine whether there is a 31st in the month.
The watch case is entirely made of stainless steel, ensuring durability. However, its strap is not. It is made of leather, which is not the best material to use when it comes to durable watches. Additionally, the dial glass is made from synthetic sapphire, which again is not the best material to use, although at least it is close to the original.
By the way, you might also be interested in: Le Forban Sécurité Mer pays tribute to its first diver with the Brestoise model
The Tissot perpetual calendar watch is equipped with a Japanese quartz movement and has a water resistance of 99 feet, meaning it can contact water, such as while washing hands or just getting splashed. No more than that.
Additionally, if you carefully examine all the details of the watch, you can see the dial.
Citizen BL8140-55E
Citizen's version of the perpetual calendar watch is less cluttered than Tissot's, thanks to the perpetual complications presented on a black dial. Three auxiliary dials are arranged in a triangle, making the design more compact and cleaner. The military time sub-dial is designed as a cycle, with large dates overlaying smaller ones. Opposite it, on the right side, are the days of the week, again in the form of a small circle. Nevertheless, what made the Citizen perpetual calendar watch design stand out was the decision to place the months on the border of the dial and bezel, marked above each silver hour marker. Additionally, the traditional date window presentation is placed at the four o'clock mark.
The third auxiliary dial is also located at the bottom, just above the six o'clock mark.
The watch is made of stainless steel, from the case to the strap, which is secured with a fold-over clasp with a hidden double push-button. However, the dial glass is made from synthetic sapphire, not of the highest grade, but cheaper. Perhaps to balance the retail price of the wristwatch.
The watch operates on a Japanese quartz movement and has a water resistance of 330 feet, allowing the user to shower, swim, and snorkel even with the watch on. However, like most warnings, do not use the push crown when the watch is submerged in water, if you do not want to regret it.
By the way, you might also be interested in: Watch Review: Dryden Heartlander, excellent everyday field watch
Seiko SPC131P1 Neo Classic
Returning to a cluttered design, the Neo Classic watch from Seiko looks just as cluttered or even worse than the first in this list.
The dial is in white, and most of the print on it, including the indexes, hour markers, and what they present as their perpetual calendar in the watch of this model. It can be found just above the small printed numbers. Most of the dial's diameter is occupied by the dates, and what remains is for the months and setting whether it is a leap year or not, since it is extremely important for determining dates and the day of the week, is in the auxiliary dial at the “12 o'clock” mark.
The six o'clock indication, however, is not clearly highlighted, as it features another auxiliary dial. The indexes are small, which does not help the user's ability to tell the time, especially if their vision is not good enough.
The most unique feature of the watch, which is not found among those listed earlier, is the presence of a tachymeter. This instrument is usually used in racing watches to help determine the speed of a vehicle or racer without the appropriate equipment.
The wristwatch is made of stainless steel, and the strap is made of leather for comfort and is secured on the user's wrist with a clasp. The watch operates on a Japanese quartz movement and has a water resistance of 100 meters, allowing the owner to engage in light swimming at the pool.
Orient EU030020W
This perpetual calendar watch from Orient features the most unique design in the list, being elegant and colorful. The uniqueness of the design is mainly in how the "auxiliary dials" are included in the design, as unlike the usual, they do not have a circular shape. Instead, they are elongated. At the top are the months, and at the bottom are the dates and days of the year. Although at the three o'clock mark, a date window can also be found.
By the way, you might also be interested in: Humism Rhizome Review: Kinetic art at an affordable price
Additionally, the crowns on the right side are used to control the settings of the date, time, and to rotate the inner bezel.
The visible hour markers are gold-plated, while the rest are overlapped by the sub-dials mentioned earlier. White indexes are also located at the edge of the dial and indicate the minutes. On the other hand, the bezel makes this model unique, as it is equipped with a slide rule. This gives the user the ability to perform mathematical functions on a limited scale for navigation calculations.
The watch is equipped with a Swiss automatic movement and has a water resistance of 100 meters, allowing the user to swim with the watch in the pool.
Frederique Constant FC-27OBR4P6
Another neatly designed watch, this model from Frederique Constant is the least complex among those presented in the list. It is made with a black dial against white indexes, Roman numerals indicating the hour markers, white hands, and white inscriptions on the sub-dials. What differentiates this watch from all those listed is the presence of a third sub-dial that shows whether it is day or night.
However, the print on the sub-dial in the area of the “three o'clock” mark is so small that anyone could easily confuse the dates.
The watch case is made of stainless steel, ensuring its durability, while the strap is made of leather to make the watch comfortable on the wrist. The watch is equipped with a Japanese quartz movement. However, the water resistance of the watch is only 50 meters, allowing contact with water only when washing hands or during light rain.
The electronic industry is not the only sector affected by technological advances. Even such an old craft as watchmaking is quite capable of using new technologies available to them, and although it borders on dirt, they will advance what they can do for their craft.
