To me the perpetual calendar is the watch at its functional best. As the owner of

several (well, actually five with the sixth on the way: UN Perp GMT +/-, IWC Portugiese, JLC Master Perp, Andersen Secular Calendar and Parmigiani Toric Perp.) I see no problem wearing any of the watches. With the exception of the UN, yes, the only risk is that they can not be set back if the date is passed (actually I believe that the Toric can but it is a pain). I think that any of them are robust and are no more "delicate" than any other watch. I would not be afraid to handle or wear any perpetual at any time or under most conditions (within reason).

I do not understand, however, the perpetuals that are hand wind with only the standard 40 hr power reserve. To me that is just an inconvenience and takes away from the practicality and functionality of the watch. The same, I might add, could be said about moon phase watches with the same 40 hr power reserve. The watches with longer power reserves are certainly more convenient and those that are automatic can, and I do, be kept on winders so that they are ready to go at a moment's notice. Of the hand wind ones, the JLC is easily adjusted as the single pusher handles all functions and the day/night indicator is a safety feature that prevents inadvertent advancing beyond the day. The IWC corrects all the functions with the crown.

Mitch

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Understanding the allure of perpetual calendars

By: mac : June 11th, 2010-19:02

I am hoping for insight. I find my interest in perpetual calendars runs hot and cold. While I find the complexity and engineering alluring, I question the practical aspect of living with one that would not be a daily wearer. I wonder if the setting proces...

IWC Port pert calender

By: Hororgasm : June 11th, 2010-20:20

i had similar concerns....go for one with long power reserve. the above with 7 day power reserve is perfect, i wear the week once a week and leave it till next, never had to wind the watch much, function perfectly. into my 5th year of ownership, no issues...

a day without my GO Nav. Perpetual

By: bart1 : June 11th, 2010-20:27

is like a day without sunshine. For me the perpetual is the ultimate complication because it's pure and elegant - it's not a useless complication, it's incredibly practical. I have a couple of identical daily wearers, never had any issues and I'm always e...

Despoute what the name "Horogasm" might suggest :-)

By: ArthurSG : June 11th, 2010-20:39

The dude has a point. I think all Perps (but not many) should come with long pwer reserves given the many indicators. In fact, if Lange's 31 day capability coulld be added to a Perp, that would be ideal for,e...

You can have some Robust Perpetual Calendars...

By: amanico : June 11th, 2010-22:55

That you can also set very easily, with the crown... All the Ulysse Nardin Perpetual Calendars are like this. You can set them backward and forward without fear to break the movement. Best, Nicolas

could not agree more

By: Mohannad (aka Riddler) : June 13th, 2010-02:03

the UN perps definetly are the easiest to handle and work with the setting is just relaxed that you don't realy consider the off-wrist time you can just strap it an set it and vua la your ready to go

It depends on the perpetual calendar

By: eric.vonschonberg : June 12th, 2010-01:54

I have both a Patek 3970 and a Patek 5970, which are both well know manually wound perpetual calendar chronographs. I don't wear them every day, and I don't keep them on a watch winder, but when I do wear them, it take less than a minute to set them. The ...

i've only ever owned a UN Perpetual so perhaps i've been spoilt

By: G99 : June 12th, 2010-03:42

they are so easy to set that you take it for granted, but i can imagine that others are more delicate. if in doubt by a UN. best Graham

Glad you asked, mac. My sense is . . .

By: Dr No : June 12th, 2010-09:40

. . . the overlap between complexity and practicality is most capably represented by perpetual calendars. The only experience more magical than watching a perpetual transition from February 28th to March 1st is the transition to the 29th during a leap yea...

Do your GOs all have different base calibers?

By: mac : June 12th, 2010-12:27

If so, do you have a favorite either because of design or ease of use? Also with 4 calendars, do you leave some unwound, while others running? I believe you posted before about unwanted wear & tear by using a winder. I assume the more features and higher ...

All are cal 39s . . .

By: Dr No : June 12th, 2010-21:23

. . . and while I've never owned a cal 100 perpetual, my experience with the cal 39 is mostly positive. Two had the 'sticking date' issue endemic to the cal 39, both of which were resolved under warranty. My Senator perpetual survived a two foot drop to a...

Thank you for the added detail

By: mac : June 14th, 2010-07:33

That is a very interesting shot of the GO. Thank you for sharing it as well as your experience with winders.

While I fully understand your concern, the solution is simple ....

By: Marcus Hanke : June 12th, 2010-10:34

... as already indicated, it is just a question of buying the "right" perpetual. There are a few easy-to-use, solid perpetuals out there, which are also easily legible. I like the GO perpetuals because of their good and legible layout. Their downside is t...

Can you provide some examples of more rugged designs?

By: mac : June 12th, 2010-12:30

Or in the reverse what models you find more delicate and why? Thank you

What features makes a perpetual rugged?

By: mac : June 12th, 2010-12:21

Thank you for the responses so far. What features or designs elements do you associated with more resilient and reliable movements? Is it fair to say the Lange & GO are in the more robust crowd with their teutonic heritage, while FPJ is more a delicate wi...

Some notes about ruggedness of perpetuals ....

By: Marcus Hanke : June 13th, 2010-10:22

Generally, the question of ruggedness is not an issue for the calender mechanism as such. In fact, a perpetual calender is not a very complicated mechanism, and also does not imply a lot of energy that would cause increased wear of parts. To illustrate th...

Horological Meandering