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TheVTCGuy · 21 March 2020, 09:55 PM

Really am clueless when it comes to watch tech, so go ahead and call me a Dorklehead for asking, but

Why is the instant date change feature considered an advantage? I see it lauded in advertisements for Rolex and other high-end watches. My DJ has the instant date change, and it is fairly regular at about seven minutes after the hour. My Seiko’s do not, but they are also consistent, starting at around 11:40 and completed by 12:25 (or so). Besides the obvious of showing a half-changed date for a period of time, what is the technical superiority of the instant date change?

Patton250 · 21 March 2020, 09:57 PM

That’s an awesome question. I look forward to hearing a detailed answer.

brandrea · 21 March 2020, 10:14 PM

I’m no expert either Paul but I think you’ve answered your own question.

The only advantage is that the date changes over instantly vs. taking longer with some other brands.

mimo5000 · 21 March 2020, 10:26 PM

My understanding is that it is much more complicated within the movement to reserve the power and execute it immediately upon a date change, rather than let it release and have the date move slowly over to the new date.
Rolex has done it for a while, but I think they've improved the power release so that it can happen pretty instantaneously at midnight more recently.

Sent from my Pixel 3 using Tapatalk

enjoythemusic · 22 March 2020, 12:07 AM

First, no such thing as a dumb question. Ok, there actually is yet yours aint one of 'em.

IMHO it is a visual thing, sure, yet other benefits may include less 'fragile time period' on the movement during date change. This allows you to manually work the timepiece's gearing to set time/date during a wider time period (without fear of having the movement's mechanical bits 'messing up').

An extreme example is, say, the IWC where it also displays year on the dial. If you mess that up and go too far ahead in time, you can't 'go back' manually enough and so it needs to have the gearing 'reset' by a talented watchmaker.

Tools · 22 March 2020, 02:46 AM

No gears are engaged with the Rolex cam-plate arrangement.

You can change the date at anytime manually, without potential damage. Plus it looks cool to see it slapped over all at once.

21 March 2020, 09:55 PM	#1
TheVTCGuy Banned Join Date: Jul 2008 Real Name: Paul Location: San Diego Watch: 126619LB Posts: 21,540	Probably a stupid question. Really am clueless when it comes to watch tech, so go ahead and call me a Dorklehead for asking, but Why is the instant date change feature considered an advantage? I see it lauded in advertisements for Rolex and other high-end watches. My DJ has the instant date change, and it is fairly regular at about seven minutes after the hour. My Seiko’s do not, but they are also consistent, starting at around 11:40 and completed by 12:25 (or so). Besides the obvious of showing a half-changed date for a period of time, what is the technical superiority of the instant date change?

21 March 2020, 09:57 PM	#2
Patton250 2024 Pledge Member Join Date: Oct 2015 Real Name: Brett Location: Florida Watch: 5205R Posts: 5,158	That’s an awesome question. I look forward to hearing a detailed answer. __________________ Morality does not derive from consensus. It only comes from one place. Pride goes before destruction, and haughtiness before a fall. Often times unbelief is disguised as wisdom Instagram - patton250

22 March 2020, 12:07 AM	#5
enjoythemusic 2024 Pledge Member Join Date: Nov 2012 Real Name: Steven Location: Glocal Posts: 19,436	First, no such thing as a dumb question. Ok, there actually is yet yours aint one of 'em. IMHO it is a visual thing, sure, yet other benefits may include less 'fragile time period' on the movement during date change. This allows you to manually work the timepiece's gearing to set time/date during a wider time period (without fear of having the movement's mechanical bits 'messing up'). An extreme example is, say, the IWC where it also displays year on the dial. If you mess that up and go too far ahead in time, you can't 'go back' manually enough and so it needs to have the gearing 'reset' by a talented watchmaker. __________________ __________________ “Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside in a cloud of smoke, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming 'Wow! What a Ride!'” -- Hunter S. Thompson Sent from my Etch A Sketch using String Theory.

22 March 2020, 02:46 AM	#6
Tools TRF Moderator & 2024 DATE-JUST41 Patron Join Date: May 2007 Real Name: Larry Location: Mojave Desert Watch: GMT's Posts: 43,044	No gears are engaged with the Rolex cam-plate arrangement. You can change the date at anytime manually, without potential damage. Plus it looks cool to see it slapped over all at once. __________________ (Chill ... It's just a watch Forum.....) NAWCC Member

21 March 2020, 10:14 PM	#3
brandrea 2024 Pledge Member Join Date: Jul 2013 Real Name: Brian (TBone) Location: canada Watch: es make me smile Posts: 73,668	I’m no expert either Paul but I think you’ve answered your own question. The only advantage is that the date changes over instantly vs. taking longer with some other brands.

21 March 2020, 10:26 PM	#4
mimo5000 "TRF" Member Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Canada Watch: all of them Posts: 653	My understanding is that it is much more complicated within the movement to reserve the power and execute it immediately upon a date change, rather than let it release and have the date move slowly over to the new date. Rolex has done it for a while, but I think they've improved the power release so that it can happen pretty instantaneously at midnight more recently. Sent from my Pixel 3 using Tapatalk

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