Despite what its name suggests, a watch complication is not necessarily very… complicated. Or, at least, not very difficult to understand. Thus, the “big date” allows a watch to display… the date! With one small detail, however: here, it is two separate windows that allow this display in XXL format.
If it seems simple, this complication only emerged in the early 1990s. But what is certain is that it brings a crazy class to the models it equips. Proof with some of the most beautiful watches of the moment with a large date.
The big date, a small grand complication
A watch that displays the time AND the date? Wow, but that’s incredible! This is the kind of ironic reaction one can expect when discussing the grand date in watchmaking. Because, on paper, indeed, this complication does not seem very spectacular. In reality, however, it’s not that obvious.
Thus, it should be noted that the big date complication made its significant debut only in 1994. German brand A. Lange & Söhne, newly resurrected after reunification, brought it to the forefront by introducing its Lange 1 collection. This collection was particularly characterized by its asymmetric dial and its large date, known as “Outsize Date”. It has since become a real hallmark of the brand and has greatly contributed to its success and reputation in the world of high-end watchmaking.
But in practical terms, how does this complication work? Unlike traditional date displays where the numbers are shown on a single disc, the large date uses two independent discs: one for the tens (0, 1, 2, 3) and the other for the units (0 to 9). On the dial, the day’s date therefore often appears through two separate windows. This configuration allows for improved readability, as the numbers are generally larger and clearer. And on the Lange 1, there’s no longer a need to actuate the crown to set the date, but rather press a pusher.
Finally, it should be noted that the term “big date” is regularly used by brands that indeed offer two windows, but one displaying the day of the week and the other the date.
Our selection of beautiful watches with a large date
This famous “grand date” is usually found on relatively luxurious watches, but you will see that it is not necessarily essential to break the bank to wear this complication on your wrist.
Mondaine Evo2 Big Date
If you like minimalist watches or Bauhaus-inspired ones, Mondaine is a brand you absolutely need to know. Less reputed than some of its prestigious peers, this Swiss house nevertheless created the official watch of the Swiss railways. Hence the mention SBB CFF FFS that appears on the dial.
As for the rest, this quartz watch (Swiss made, of course!) keeps it simple and efficient with its 40mm steel case, its white dial, black baton hands and indexes, and its red second hand. The large date appears in a traditional manner at 3 o’clock on this Evo2 model which also appeals for its price: less than 300€.
Mido Multifort TV Big Date
One could say that Mido is the specialist in the “large date” complication. This feature is found in almost all of the brand’s models, from the Commander to the Baroncelli, including one of our latest favorites, the Multifort TV Big Date.
With its cushion-shaped case inspired by a vintage television, this watch gives off a 1970s vibe. While it is available with a colorful rubber strap, this 100% steel version gives it a very attractive sporty character. This impression is reinforced by the green dial, where the horizontal striations contribute to the overall charm, perfectly highlighting the date located at 12 o’clock.
Frédérique Constant Classic Power Reserve Big Date Manufacture
Is the big date not enough for you? Frédérique Constant adds two other very poetic complications to this model, the power reserve indicator (at 9 o’clock on the dial) and the moon phase (at 6 o’clock).
Both sober and perfectly balanced, the dial of this Frédérique Constant watch is of rare elegance in this midnight blue version. The accompanying strap, in blue alligator leather, completes the panoply of this timeless dress watch.
Glashütte Original Senator Excellence Panorama Date
We conclude this brief overview of watches with a large date with a model (almost) as beautiful as the Lange 1. It is no coincidence that it comes from the same German region, in Glashütte.
This Senator Excellence Panorama Date also bets on timeless elegance, with its 40 mm case, its finely grained silver dial and its blued pear hands. Here, no central separation bar on the date, but two concentric circles that spring into action at midnight thanks to a jumping date mechanism.
A true jewel of precision, the Manufacture 36 caliber that powers this Glasshütte Original watch also provides it with a very comfortable power reserve of more than 100 hours.
If you want to satisfy your curiosity, you can easily find other models to add to this list. Brands like Alpina and Certina, for example, offer nice watches with a large date at affordable prices.
If you have a slightly (or largely) more comfortable budget, the “big date” also features on some Zenith Pilot watches, as well as a few variations of Jaeger-LeCoultre’s Reverso. But, 30 years after its creation, it is still Lange 1 (around 45,000€) that appears as the most beautiful watch with a big date!