A watch complication can be best described as a feature of a mechanical watch that goes beyond the simple movement of showing the hours, minutes, and seconds of the day. With the increasing means of technology to help achieve the impossible, watch complications are gaining a wider spectrum of features that are highly beneficial to its users. Besides the mechanics of your timepiece that make it unique and desirable, the complications of a watch can further help make the piece an even better pick for you.
Date Display
The first of many include the simple feature of displaying the date that is categorically divided into four main types depending on the style of the watch. The first includes a digital display where the numbers are displayed usually at the three o’clock position on the face of the most custom made watches. The other includes a simple analog display that involves using a center hand that points towards a date present along with the dial of the watch. This is a wonderful twist on the standard date displays and can amp up the look of your timepiece.
A day-date display specifies the day of the week at the 12 o’clock position of the watch alongside the date at the usual 3 o’clock position. The last one is a triple calendar option that not only displays the date and day of the week but also extends to showing the month of the year. This offers an unrivaled specificity that is truly desirable for users who are bound to make the utmost use of such complications in their professional life on a daily basis.
Calendar
The details of the date display are advanced by watchmakers in the calendar settings of the watch, where two main developments are used, namely the perpetual and annual calendar. The perpetual calendar displays the day, date, and month of the year and requires minimal adjustment as the features are automatically updated by the mechanics in the timepiece. This includes displaying the right information every leap year and adjusting for every 30-day and 31-day cycle every month.
The expectation of such a detailed complication is that it needs an update at every turn of the century to remain accurate thereafter. The annual calendar, on the other hand, requires a little more effort wherein the date has to be adjusted at the end of February every year to keep it thoroughly in line with the days and dates of that particular year. The other functions remain automatic and adjust themselves accordingly as needed.
Power Reserve
This complication is a particularly useful indicator of the energy reserve of the watch and helps the user identify when the next winding is needed for their automatic or manual piece. Most automatic customized watches have a power reserve of up to 10 days and manual one up to 15 days, either of which is often displayed using four main types of indicators.
The first being an aperture, the second is a linear display, another being the display in the shape of a semicircle, also named the pie and the last being a + and – indicator. These four indicators are the most popular ones; however, the power reserve indicator can vary from watch to watch depending on the brand and model.
Time Zone
Often helpful for military personnel and those of the aviation industry, a time zone complication can be mainly of two types when it comes to the display. The first is a dual time zone display where the time of any two countries or cities that differ in their GMT zones can be indicated within the face of the very same watch.
The other includes a world time zone feature that is particularly desirable for international businessmen who often travel as the complications allow for a display of all 24-time zones. This ensures that you have information ready at hand on any time zone across the world for your benefit.
Tourbillon
This unique complication is often termed as the brain of a timepiece that is a delicate hairpiece that is present on a balance wheel. Each rotation is equated to a tick of the watch and often changes depending on the gravity effects that influence the mechanics of this complication. The tourbillon shows the rate of timekeeping and can provide more information on how every place can affect a watch, even diamond watches and their workings in its own unique way.
Moonphase
The moon phase is an indicator of the lunar phases of the moon and mainly displays the full, half, and quarter phases. Many watch enthusiasts look for this complication in a timepiece, in particular, not only for its utility but also for the simple beauty it offers to a watch. It is intricately based on a 29 days 12 hours 44 minutes and 3 seconds cycle that has been scientifically measured and calculated as the perfect duration of a lunar cycle.