The world of luxury watches is a wonderful one, but it can sometimes be intimidating. There are a lot of different complications to consider when making a watch purchase, and one of the more popular complications is an annual calendar. But what is an annual calendar watch, and how does it work?
In today’s BQ Watches glossary blog, we’ll take a closer look at annual calendar watches and provide some suggestions for the best brands that make annual calendar watches. Read on to learn more about calendar watches!
First, let’s define what a calendar watch is. A calendar watch, as the name implies, displays the current date somewhere on the watch dial. A date watch is the simplest example of a calendar watch. Another example would be a day-date watch, which displays both the current date and the day of the week. Most watches with a date window will require the owner to manually correct the watch following any months that have fewer than 31 days in the year.
There are also annual calendar watches and perpetual calendar watches, which contain more sophisticated complications, where the owner doesn’t need to adjust the watch after each month with fewer than 31 days. The difference between these two complications lies in how often you have to adjust the watch otherwise.
An annual calendar complication will display the date and only requires the owner to adjust the watch once per year at the end of February. This added convenience makes annual calendars a highly desirable complication.
Annual calendars are examples of fine watchmaking, as the complication is capable of accurately displaying the correct date throughout the year, considering the number of days in a month, and making a seamless transition from month to month. The only calendar complication that is more advanced is a perpetual calendar, which is capable of adjusting itself at the end of February and can even account for leap years. These watches are capable of properly displaying the date for decades and even centuries in some cases.
If you’re interested in adding an annual calendar watch to your collection, you will have some excellent options to choose from. Many of the top luxury watch brands in the world manufacture stylish and beautiful annual calendar watches. Here are some of the best options to get your search started.
You may be surprised to learn that the annual calendar complication has only been around since 1996. The pioneering brand that brought the first annual calendar to market was Patek Philippe, with its Ref. 5035 watch. This groundbreaking timepiece adjusts the day, date, and month and requires just one correction per year. Since releasing the first annual calendar watch, Patek Philippe has iterated on the model and released options with moon phase calendars, power reserve indicators, flyback self-winding chronographs, and more.
Whether you’re looking for something sporty or something more like a dress watch, Patek Philippe has you covered with its annual calendar selection. As always, Patek Philippe is known for making stylish and timeless watches, so you can’t go wrong with any of them.
International Watch Company, or IWC, is known for making precise and stylish watches with a wide variety of styles and complications available. Amongst IWC’s calendar offerings, the IWC Portugieser Annual Calendar is a particularly popular option.
The IWC Portugieser Annual Calendar features an absolutely timeless design that looks at home in both casual and formal settings. If you need an everyday watch that will be endlessly stylish for every era, you can’t go wrong with the IWC Portugieser Annual Calendar.
Rolex introduced its own annual calendar watch when it released the Sky-Dweller in 2012. Rolex pioneered other calendar watches like the Date and Day-Date, but this Sky-Dweller would be the first annual calendar complication the renowned company ever produced. Of course, it was as stylish and precise as you would expect from the revered Rolex brand.
The Rolex Annual Calendar comes equipped with an in-house movement and is available in a variety of materials. This way, you can purchase one to match your style and get a highly functional Rolex that will be a regular part of your watch rotation for years to come.
If you’re in the market for a calendar watch of any kind, you’re in the right place. BQ Watches has an eclectic and varied selection of calendar watches from all of the best luxury brands. Whether you want an annual calendar, a perpetual calendar, or a simpler calendar watch, we have you covered. Our pre-owned selection is constantly changing, and we’re always adding amazing options to our inventory. Of course, we can also source a watch if you have something specific in mind. Just let us know your preferred timepiece, and we’ll get to work.
Best of all, BQ Watches makes it incredibly convenient to shop for your next used watch by making our full selection available on our online shop. You can buy from anywhere and trust you’re buying from the best. We also specialise in excellent customer service, so feel free to reach out with any questions you may have. We’re also happy to host you in our beautiful London showroom if you happen to be in the area. There’s nothing like trying on a luxury watch in person!
Our goal is to help you find your ideal timepiece. If you know what you’re looking for, we’ll be happy to get you the watch you need. If you’re unsure, our team is always here to help you find a luxury watch that matches your style, budget, and preferences.
The team at BQ Watches is knowledgeable, friendly, and here to help. We offer comprehensive luxury watch services to meet all of your needs. If you need to sell or exchange a watch, we can help. Need an appraisal, repair, or professional cleaning? We’re here to help with that too. If you know which service you need, or if you have any questions, please fill out a contact form to get in touch with one of our team members. In the meantime, please enjoy browsing our full inventory of timepieces.
