jporos
2327
For 36.5 mm and under however,
I think that it is hard to beat Nomos for subdial placement. Note that on the date complication models, the subdial is perfectly centered between the center pinion and the date window. No eaten indices either (although I actually like when numerals are eaten or distorted). In terms of legibility, out of all my watches, this one is the easiest overall to read for my older and failing eyes. The Nomos Zurich series is a touch under a 40mm case size and still accomplishes this balance, although a smaller Zeta caliber is used (13 3/4 lignes) versus 14 1/2 lignes for the Beta movement in the Tangente. The result is what you described as your fear in the use of a small caliber, the date window is pushed right up against the subdial which produces a moment of awkwardness in an otherwise well balanced face.

Available on the marketplace
Sub-dial aesthetics
By: AndrewD : October 2nd, 2010-00:05
Hi All, I thought I would follow on from jschen888's technical question about sub-seconds with a thread on the aesthetics of sub-seconds displays. What are your favourites? What works and what doesn't? How do you feel about round sub-seconds in square or ...
Extremes
By: AndrewD : October 4th, 2010-02:21
The Grande Seconds of the first two examples struck me as the polar opposites of the PSM Shimoda in their presentation of time. Do you find that time passes any differently when wearing these watches? All nice example, and trust Journe to understand my di...
variation on a theme
By: jschen888 : October 2nd, 2010-09:07
I don't have much to compare against, being new to fine watches, but I really like the look of the sub second dial on my watch (VC Patrimony Traditionnelle date self-winding). Here is a close-up of a picture that I previously used to highlight my newfound...
Proportion and legibility
By: mkvc : October 2nd, 2010-12:03
I like a good subdial and I own several of them. I used to own more, but I had to give up several on grounds of illegibility to aging eyes. I also have a strong objection to the "small movement in large watch" trend that results in subdials' crowding the ...
placement and proportions
By: tee530 : October 2nd, 2010-16:19
Good question Andrew. I think subdial placement is one of the more subtle, yet important, design problems to solve. Agree with the the note above that unless the movement and the case are matched (and who does this better than Lange?) you end up with dial...
A little nibble is fine, but ...
By: AndrewD : October 2nd, 2010-18:01
... as much as I want to love the PP 5070, I can't because of what it does to the 2, 4, 8 and 10. I know there are many Purists including Quan, Nico, Provents and others that own this watch, but I do not love this design. Still, I am working on it, becaus...
Intercepting circles....
By: moc : October 2nd, 2010-23:42
It seems like this theme was in my mind in my early collecting carreer.....look at this ...no eating no adapting ,just clever design that gives the dials a playful, interesting approach. Two of my beloved,with a special note to the JD that I considered le...