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Since their appearance at the beginning of the 20th century, watches with Day-Date complications have become essential horological icons. These timepieces, renowned for their timeless elegance and practical functionality, are often seen as a symbol of prestige and refinement. Traditionally reserved for the highest budgets, they are now accessible to a wider audience.
On the program of this article, six day-date complication watches that offer excellent value for money, all offered at less than $1,000!
Citizen Platform Sporty
It was at Citizen that we picked up this first watch with a day-date complication presented well below $1,000.
A neat model, adorned with a 42 mm stainless steel case water-resistant up to 100 meters and a bracelet in real leather black alligator style.
The dial is elegant and equipped with interesting stylistic details with its beige background on which the blue luminescent indexes and hands are placed. The famous day/date complication, also surrounded by blue, is naturally positioned at 3 o’clock. Around the edge, each 10-minute segment is marked with numbers, for a more precise display that changes from the usual layout.
As a bonus, you can admire the mechanism on the back of the piece! This is the caliber Miyota 8200-Q21a movement known for its robustness and precision.
Citizen Promaster
An accessible diver with Day Date complication, here is what Citizen offers with its Promaster NY0141-10L.
This watch plays in the big leagues since it is waterproof up to 200 meters. Enough to indulge in your underwater explorations without any problems!
We are here on a sporty design clearly evoking the world of diving with its particularly comfortable blue silicone strap and its 44 mm stainless steel case whose screw-down crown is placed at 8 o’clock for optimal handling.
The notched unidirectional bezel is particularly useful since it allows you to measure the decompression time. Its blue color matches that of the strap as well as that of the dial. On the latter, the large indexes and hands coated with luminescent material offer excellent visibility in all conditions. They are complemented by the day-date window at 3 o’clock
Finally, on the movement side, this watch has on board the caliber 8204, a very reliable Japanese automatic movement.
Orient Neo Classic Sports
We go into a completely different style with this Orient whose look is inspired by the brand’s models dating from the 60s and 70s. retro therefore, enhanced with a certain dynamism brought by the touches of orange scattered here and there.
First of all, the black dial is quite complex and displays a lot of information. There is of course the day/date window at 3 o’clock (with the day in red), the luminescent hands, the fine second hand, as well as orange indexes. Two railroads are added to the set, one in orange, the other in white, used to measure the time elapsed. A stylistic choice reminiscent of the speedometers that can be found on sports cars.
This automatic watch has a stainless steel structure and its barrel-shaped case is water resistant to 200 meters. It is therefore also a diver! It is powered by the Japanese caliber F6922 and is available at a more than reasonable price given its capabilities.
Hamilton Khaki Field King
With its chic adventurer look, this Hamilton creation is not lacking in charm! It comes with a brown leather strap with beige stitching and a 40mm stainless steel case.
On the dial, we recognize the standard display of the brand, two circles of numbers with the military time in the center on 12/24 hours, and the classic time on the edge. Black background, white numerals and hands with luminescent coating: readability is perfect! On this model, the Day-Date complication stands out between 11 o’clock and 1 o’clock, with a large arc for the day and a small window below for the date.
This Khaki Field King Auto operates using the caliber H-40 and offers a frequency of 21600 vibrations per hour as well as a comfortable 80 hour power reserve.
A beautiful timepiece ideal for everyday life!
Mido Commander Gent Automatic
We go up a little more in range with this superb Mido! At once urban, refined and understated, it combines its 37 mm round steel case with an elegant Milanese mesh bracelet. Also beautiful with its smoky gray dial embellished with black indexes surrounded by white. The hands follow the same design, as well as the day/date window at 3 o’clock, creating a harmonious and distinctive whole.
The timepiece opts for quality both outside and inside since it offers a very good Swiss-made movement: the caliber ETA 2836-2. It is a dress watch that will be worn both in the office and during a festive event.
Mido Ocean Star Tribute
The latest model in this selection of day-date complication watches is the Ocean Star Tribute diver from Mido.
Functional and design, it is distinguished in particular by its remarkable dial whose tone red sticker is as pleasant as it is unusual. Above, the luminescent indexes and hands offer optimal visibility day and night. The day/date window at 3 o’clock also stands out very well.
This timepiece, capable of going up to 200 meters in depth, is dressed accordingly: black vintage Tropic-style rubber strap allowing quick drying, robust 40.5 mm stainless steel case topped with a rotating aluminum bezel notched and automatic movement of Swiss manufacture (80 caliber of Mido) with a power reserve of more than 80 hours!
Thanks to the hard work of many historical watch brands, the dream of owning a watch with a day-date complication is gradually taking shape for a large number of people. Under the bar of 1,000$, there is no shortage of offers today!
