Horological Meandering

A partial six numeral with a sub-seconds was so common at one point in pocket watches, they were called "6 eaters". But, How do YOU feel about them? Do you prefer a dot? Nothing at all? What is best for a sub-seconds? Let me know your preference, please. ...  

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Certainly, in my opinion, the examples you’ve shown are nicer with the eaten 6. Regards Kev.

Not optimal, but better than leaving what looks like a zero in that space. I might personalize the 6 to make it stand out, like Bedat does with their number 8. Kurt

How about shrinking the six down, a little like how FPJ handles some numerals on some watches?

But one look at that gorgeous Omega and I could easily live with it! That’s a real beauty.

Well, maybe not, but they'd have some beautiful watches!

Historic inspired pieces? I think of the seamaster 300 co axial for example, a great piece with strong roots. Could you explain your point a bit more?

And I think they have yet to fully capture the aesthetic to its fullest potential. The Seamaster 1948 are good and I hope we see more like them.

I am less concerned with Tudor and more looking at, say, the globemaster, which I think doesn't quite reach the heights of the earlier Omega watches it tries to be inspired by.

-D-

On many watches there is no 3, because of a date window. An eaten 6 is a creative way design of a dial. Yes, the pocket watch heritage of smal seconds is the reason. Should i buy a watch with an eaten 6? No, because i chose watches with a central second h... 

There a more day date watches than the famous Rolex. I go to search which other watches have that complication. Later on this week i post a list.

Here’s how you determine the right course of action. First, adjust the size of the subdial. Its area should be equal to 10% of the main dial area, less if the effective area of the dial is reduced by frivolous chapter rings. Next, superimpose the 6 where ... 

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I go for the overall looks of a watch but would complain the most if a date at 4:30...a no no for me. ...  

I wish PP would add the date complication of your 5524 to a 5522 Cheers, -- Richard.

But I still prefer the 5522A to be dateless ...  

Understand how you feel, but I would love a 5522A with the date. Best, -- Richard.

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If the dial design is made up of Arabic hour markers, then I would prefer an eaten 6 versus a dot. It is more coherent for me. I find the dot out of place and a bit unnatural of the majority of hour markers are Arabic. An eaten 6 kinda feels as though the... 

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If I understand it correctly, the cut out is exactly 3 minute markers wide. So, main dial may be perfectly read as one missing minute is at the right edge of the cutout, the next is at the middle where the cutout's own marker is, and the final minute is r... 

Great to see a wrist shot. Geo

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It seems to me like it is intended as a "complication", rather than an afterthought. It is more difficult, in my opinion, to place correctly the incomplete fragments so they do not look unnatural to our brain, that tends to "see" and "read" a complete num...  

I think Jack Forster mentioned the "6 eater" and I figured he was a good enough source to cite. I'd love to see something more if you happen across a better source.

The 1815 up down is a particular nice example of an eaten 6 with the 6 still safe and well.

I like the the Scandinavian approach or this But what always bothered me was the subdial cutting in to the minute track! I sold a bunch of watches because of that... The minute markers are important to me;-))) ...  

Did you like it, other than the dial issue?

The finishing is quite impressive, but the dial killed it for me.

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Especially with highly classical dials it adds much. Great question. Cheers, -- Richard. ...  

Best, -- Richard.

A cut of six is OK when the seconds hand is not long enough to go all the way to the lower part of the dial. That happens of course when the movement has a smaller diameter than the case. Leaving it completely open does not look too good. ...  

. . . has an original dial. Here's an authentic original on Stefan's ref 2272 . . . . . . with a partially eaten applied 6 . Best, Art ...  

. . . is not only original, it's . . . [watch and photo credit: mac_omega (Erich)] . . . rare. A steel ref 2097 with an early cal 30 movement, one of . . . . . . the first six hundred produced. With an artfully composed eaten 6 , to boot. Art ...  

I personally find the solution for the Patek MR the best and most beautiful. Best Thomas

What a great thread!!! I love the eaten six... how many people here think there is a sense of humor in that?… I do!

Mine is maybe a bit more unusual, but I think the layout works. Slightly eaten 6 and 8, no 7... ...  

As long as it is well made and balanced. For example, the eaten 6 in your first picture looks perfect, as well as the dot in the Patek. The sub dial of the Shapiro is also good because it uses all the space, so there’s no need to use anything more. By the... 

NT