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Complication Mechanical Watches - The Calendar Function
 
 Mechanical watches are marvels of micro-engineering and a complication watch movement presents challenges to the watchmaker and adds interest and value to the watch. One of the most common and useful complications is the calendar function.
A mechanical watch which provides additional functions other than telling the time in hours, minutes and seconds is called a "Complication Watch". This is an appropriate term as given the size limitations of the average watch and the fact that even the most simple of mechanical watch movements already contain over one hundred parts, the watchmaker is therefore presented with a challenge to fit the extra components required for additional functions into the confines of the watch case.
The more complications a watch has, the more difficult it will be to create. Watches with several complications are known as "Grandes Complications". These pieces are usually limited edition watches which are highly collectible. Patek Philippe and Breguet are well known producers of grandes complications watches. Complications available in mechanical watches include chronograph timing functions, second time zone, moon phases and power reserve indicators.
One of the most common complications is the calendar function. Many calendar watches display only the date which is shown through an aperture on the dial. A calendar watch, although useful does not take into consideration the varying lengths of the months. Adjustment of a calendar watch will therefore be required five times per year. Some manufacturers use the addition of a date indicator to add unique styling to the watch dial for example the Oris Frank Sinatra Date models with the magnified date window at the six o’clock position becoming a style feature not just a function.
An "Annual Calendar" watch will need less intervention from the wearer. The date mechanism in an annual calendar watch recognizes the variations of days in each calendar month apart from February and will therefore only need one adjustment per year.
Watch connoisseurs will be appreciative of the technical skills required to create and assemble a "Perpetual Calendar" watch because the mechanism for this function alone can contain several hundred parts. A perpetual calendar watch is one which recognizes not only the varying lengths of each month, but also the length of each year taking into account leap years and adjusting its date accordingly.
This astounding piece of horological genius has a built in mechanical memory driven via a differential gear mechanism from the hour hand which counts the four year cycle or 1461 days setting the correct date as it goes. A fine example of a watch with a perpetual calendar complication is the Blancpain Leman Perpetual Calendar Chronograph which features a moon phase indicator and three subdials one of which is a combined month and leap year indicator. The perpetual calendar watch as innovations go, is an example of skillful perfection, unlike our Gregorian calendar which dictates that the year 2100 will not be a leap year so this type of watch will need to be adjusted on March 1st that year to allow for this oddity.
Watch complications are often triumphs of the skills of the watchmakers, challenges which result in features for a watch which although not entirely essential are nonetheless accomplishments in the pursuit of perfection. The Secular Perpetual Calendar watch movement will continue to show the correct date even after the year 2100 without adjustment and is the ultimate calendar function and a highly collectible example of the fine art of horology.
For reviews and historical features of some of the most famous watch brands why not visit TheWatchPress.
By Sylvia McElherron
Published: 11/27/2009
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Your host Vasco Kirov
Award winning jewelry designer
and master goldsmith
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