Do "time only" watches have any advantages over date watches

[ral]

I was wondering if a time only watch, like a Explorer I, Milgauss, AK or OP have any advantages over Rolex date watches. Are they more rugged of something, or is it simply lower manufacturing cost and product placement?

[Mars]

No, IMO. The only thing is one less complication in watch speak i.e. adding date adds a complication, adding month adds another, adding moonphase adds another & so on. Just depends what you like. I like having a date

[leopardprey]

Of course have an advantage. Time only means less parts in the movement. In general on anything mechanical, less parts and less functions, means less that can break or go wrong. Also an advatage of not having to change the date or worry about the date. Some like the asthetics of a time only watch as well, as dial is siimple and clean.

[Marrk]

x 2


but I am not a watch expert.

Originally Posted by leopardprey

less parts and less functions, means less that can break or go wrong.

[cbsmohai]

I enjoy having a date on my watch as I'm quite the scatterbrain. I even like perpetual calendars more (ie Citizen Chrono Alarm)

[ral]

I like the date complication a lot too. Am not fond of complicated dials (well unless we are talking about a Patek Philippe Ref. 5159), but I do not find the date (or the GMT for that matter) overly obtrusive, and find it useful.

I guess I am looking for some "justification" for a non-date watch.

[topcat30093]

Apart from all the servicing implications as well as the chore of having to change the date several times a year!!!
I would say NO.
I would be lost not knowing what the date was.

[cbsmohai]

As far as Rolex goes, increased price and one more thing on the dial is about all you get

[sea-dweller]

Generally, I like the date for functional purposes. I also like the aesthetics of non-date watches (Explorer 1 and nondate Sub) for their simplicity and clean lines.

[Tools]

You know, I can grab this thing out of the box, set the time while I'm passing the dish receiver on the way to the door, and I'm on my way...

It doesn't get much easier than that....

[lorsban]

Advantages for me are:

1. Clean look
2. Cheaper
3. Less finicky - with a date feature, you have to set hands between 5 and 7 before you set the date itself.

I have to admit though, I did miss the date feature the first few days when I got my AK. I just have to check the phone/pc/calendar now - sure beats having to spend an extra grand or so for a DJ or Date.

[Phill (UK)]

Originally Posted by lorsban

Advantages for me are:

3. Less finicky - with a date feature, you have to set hands between 5 and 7 before you set the date itself.

Forgive me if I'm missing something glaringly obvious here, but what do you mean by this?

You can set the date on a Rolex with the hands set at any position.

[what3ver]

Originally Posted by Phill (UK)

Forgive me if I'm missing something glaringly obvious here, but what do you mean by this?

You can set the date on a Rolex with the hands set at any position.

Some watches (particularly older Omega's, not sure bout Rolex's) you couldn't change the date between certain times as it could damage the movement.

I personally completely disregarded this and have always changed the date on my older watches whenever I wanted, with no problems.

[Phill (UK)]

Ahhh, we're talking watches in general, not just Rolex... my bad

I know the Valjoux 7750 movements can be damaged if the date is set between the 'changeover window' of 8pm and 2am, compared to the more modern Rolex in-house movements that can be changed at any time.

[JRWoOo]

To me, ND are clean but I have to admit the dates are great too!

[Hatchet]

Yes, they cost less.

[1MAC]

The main advantage of a no-date watch is that you could potentially set it once and never adjust it again. If there is a date wheel, you will have to correct it every month that does not have 31 days (5 times a year).

[Mike B]

Originally Posted by 1MAC

The main advantage of a no-date watch is that you could potentially set it once and never adjust it again. If there is a date wheel, you will have to correct it every month that does not have 31 days (5 times a year).

Ahh, but the lovely daylight savings time would force you to take your watch off, and re-adjust the time anyway (for those of us who live in a place where day light savings time takes effect). However, taking your watch off 2 times a year compared to 5 is an advantage :)

[Romi]

If it is not your daily watch, then it has all the advantages over the watches that have the date function because it is less complicated, cheaper to purchase and maintain, cleaner look, and you don't need to set the right date and guess if it is on am or pm.

[ral]

Thanks for the inputs. It helps me gather my thoughts:

1. One less thing to break down - I can relate to this one, I have a 14 year old TAG Heuer Divers watch that now changes date at 11:15 p.m. so it needs to go back to get serviced for this.
2. One less feature - I am using a no-date watch (a second hand PAM 111) right now, and awhile ago I glanced at it while dating a letter (since my other two watches have date displays). No biggie I was writing the letter on my laptop, so I had another source for a date, and I carry a crack berry (A non-Blackberry QWERTY Smartphone) wherever I go. Still I look for the feature.
3. Simpler setting. I don't have a daily wear watch right now as I rotate three watches, depending on my mood mainly (and clothing sometimes)...
4. Cheaper. The cheaper part, I cannot really relate to since I am thinking Milgauss (non-green glass black dial)... a watch I like with no functionality that is really useful to me but is not cheaper than more functional watches like the Submariner or Explorer II (date + dual time or date + 60 minute timer).

Will have to flip the Datejust if I go through with this.

[carlyman]

For me, I love the clean look of a no-date Rolex. However, I have what's probably an unpopular opinion...I can't stand the cyclopes on a Rolex crystal. Having a date on the face...GREAT; having to look at it through the cyclops...BLAH!

There...I said it! Bring it

-JC

[chadrh]

Originally Posted by carlyman

For me, I love the clean look of a no-date Rolex. However, I have what's probably an unpopular opinion...I can't stand the cyclopes on a Rolex crystal. Having a date on the face...GREAT; having to look at it through the cyclops...BLAH!

There...I said it! Bring it

-JC

Simple enough, get yourself a Sea Dweller!

[ral]

Heresy!