It's a standard argument, oft-repeated - "I like x, so I don't understand why more people don't like x".

Yup, there are smartphones and computers everywhere so we don't need to know the date. Or the time, for that matter. No-one gets to decide how much is "enough", because they are not any kind of authority. "I will grant you a portable means of carrying an analogue time display, but not the date - for that is too much!" - it's a ridiculous notion.

Seiko has traditionally always put the date on its dive watches. They just have, it's a cultural thing. If you don't like that culture, rather than force it to change, consider many of the other manufacturers out there who offer date-less watches. Or, get a custom non-Seiko dial for the watch you already have.

 

The argument goes: Watches without dates keep symmetry in the dial. Adding a date “disturbs” the symmetry.

Myself, I prefer a date - others don’t.

Then there’s the discussion of where the date window should be placed…whole other story

 

The argument goes: Watches without dates keep symmetry in the dial. Adding a date “disturbs” the symmetry.

You should see what the hands do when they go round and round the dial pointing every which way - causes absolute chaos

Oris makes the same diver watch with and without a date. Even with the date window, you're sometimes hard-pressed to tell it's there because they tucked it away at the bottom and didn't frame it. It can be designed in well.

Another way to do it, and I'm surprised this isn't more popular, is with a pointer date. No date window to worry about, if it's just the aesthetics which rankle.

 

I find the date complication extremely useful as I have a hard time remembering the date and need it often enough to appreciate it being on my wrist, where I can quickly check.

Only exception I'd probably make is the Speedy. Don't get me wrong! There are alot of watches out there that I think look great without it! But that's just how important the complication is to me.

 

Simple… most people want a date therefore most watches offer this complication. The exception does not prove a rule.

 

I think the real reason is that it requires two different movements. If you just erase the date window you end up with a "ghost" date position on the crown if you don't actually modify the movement. Some brands just roll with that but it's not a sign of high quality, so I think most just opt for date to keep production cost down.

 

This is what I was wondering. I figured they could just either alter the movement or not connect it/include those parts. I was just wondering why the ones without it tend to cost so much more. I love Seiko design, so in no way are the date windows a deal breaker but,, for example, with the first one I bought, I chose to find out the earlier version of the Alpinist SARB017 because they lack the cyclops. I understand it is more practical for many people, but this hobby, for me, is really more about aesthetics. I buy mechanical watches because I admire the micro-engineering involved. If I was focused more on being practical and concerned with extreme precision and ease of use,, I would probably buy quartz watches.

Thank you for your comments.

 

For about 1,000 ideas for no date divers, you can check this out:

Membership Recruitment:No Date Divers Club:::

Some of us have gotten to the point where we don't want to be reminded of our advancing years.We have even taken to wearing watches that do not have a day or date function.As founding member these are my no date divers.Please show your support by posting your No Date Divers & let us know if your...

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Find no date divers look boring to my eyes.
Although I do get the symmetry thing.
As long as the date window and font used is appropriate I don’t have a complaint but purists will insist a date window is the work of Lucifer 😈

 

I prefer a Day-only...

 

Witchcraft!

 

I like to have both but just sold my last no date watch and now I’m hunting for a diver…
Other then the aesthetics it’s a personal choice that in my case highly depends on my mood and what I’m doing that day.

 

I agree with the OP, but Seikos come like that on 99.999% of their models. As far as I recall, the only Seiko without dates are Sbgx115 and Sbgx117, but those are GS. "They" say that a "true dive watch" should not have a date window.

 

I prefer a no date in any watch however a date at 6 would be the best placement if necessary.

 

Would you still buy a dateless version of a watch knowing that the movement is the same but the date window removed?

 

Most people want a date. Most watches therefore have a date. Those of us who don’t want dates have come to accept watches with dates. If I like the watch and the date is done reasonably well (Don’t stick it at 4:45. Don’t stick it in subdials. Don’t cut off part of an Arabic number, etc.) I can live with it.

But brands can take their day complications and stick em right up their casebacks. Those just suck.

 

Some watches works with dates, some dont. I have watches that have dates that Im not crazy about but after a while I dont even notice it.

 

Unpopular opinion... the real reason is price... somehow movements that include a date window are cheaper... by association you may think that watches with a date window are seen as cheaper. I share the feeling that more brands should take advantage of that niche market and produce more no date watches at a sub $3k price point.

 

Some manufacturers have done exactly that. But brand trumps all; TAG-Heuer could make its entire dive line date-less and it wouldn't make a difference. Almost all of Montblanc's recent releases are date-free, and the silence is deafening. Stalwarts like the Speedmaster Pro, dozens of Nomos and Panerai, various Oris and so on are all still made. Of course there is also the standard Submariner and Oyster Perpetual from Rolex, but they are assuredly not being bought because they don't feature a date complication.

 

The only way I would want a date window is if I only owned one watch. No fun in that. Most folks here prefer no date watches. I have four no date watches that I wear all the time. I have one with a date window that I never wear, don't claim and can't give away.

 

Most folks here prefer no date watches. I have four no date watches that I wear all the time.

I don't know that this is true.
I'll start a thread with a poll.

I prefer both day and date on my watches.

 

Sometimes you feel like a date. Sometimes you don't......

 

They do exist but I don't need them. My watch should always have a day/date complication

 

I never go desk diving without a watch with date

 

All my watches have a date complication. This is must for me.