8 of the best watches with a polarising 4:30 date window
Time+TideThese days it seems like brands are increasingly opting to have 4:30 positioned date windows on their watches. Just earlier today we introduced yet another watch, a new chronograph from Parmigiani Fleurier, which is the latest to present a 4:30-dated watch. This is a bit ironic considering how well-documented the polarisation of such positioning is. For some, it is not preferable – but also not the end of the world. For others it is an absolute dealbreaker. When you turn the volume down, block out all the 4:30-date hate noise, and look at the landscape of watches that have the date in this controversial position there are definitely some really attractive watches within the segment. Here, we highlight eight of the best.
Grand Seiko SLGC001 Tentagraph
- Grand Seiko Tentagraph SLGC001 marks the first-ever fully mechanical chronograph from GS
- Tentagraph stands for TEN beats per second, Three days, Automatic chronoGRAPH
- New 9SC5 calibre built upon Grand Seiko’s 9SA5 calibre
You can learn more about the watch here.
| Brand | Grand Seiko |
| Model | SLGC001 ‘Tentagraph’ |
| Case Dimensions | 43.2mm (D) x 15.3mm (T) x 51.5mm (L2L) |
| Case Material | High-intensity titanium |
| Water Resistance | 100m (screw-down crown) |
| Dial | Blue Mt. Iwate dial |
| Crystal | Sapphire crystal and caseback |
| Bracelet/Strap | High-intensity titanium bracelet, three-fold clasp with push button release |
| Movement | In-house automatic hi-beat 9SC5 |
| Power Reserve | 72 hours |
| Functions | Hours, minutes, running seconds, chronograph, date |
| Availability | Now |
| Price | A$20,500 / US$13,700 |
Zenith Chronomaster Sport
- El Primero 3600 1/10th of a second chronograph calibre sets Zenith apart from the pack with hi-beat might
- Modern 41mm diameter with wrist-manageable 47mm lug-to-lug length
- Technically superior alternative to the popular Rolex Daytona
You can learn more about the watch here.
| Brand | Zenith |
| Model | Chronomaster Sport |
| Case Dimensions | 41mm (D) x 13.8mm (T) x 47mm (L2L) |
| Case Material | Stainless steel |
| Water Resistance | 100m |
| Dial | White |
| Crystal(s) | Sapphire crystal and exhibition caseback |
| Strap | Stainless steel bracelet with folding clasp |
| Movement | In-house automatic calibre El Primero 3600 |
| Power Reserve | 60 hours |
| Functions | Hours, minutes, small seconds, date, 1/10th of a second chronograph |
| Availability | Now |
| Price | A$16,600 / US$11,000 |
Code 11.59 by Audemars Piguet
- The first Code 11.59 by Audemars Piguet watches to be produced in stainless steel
- The departure from precious metal makes them more approachable in price than their predecessors
- New handcrafted stamped guilloche dials developed with Swiss guilloché craftsman Yann von Kaenel
You can learn more about the watch here.
| Brand | Audemars Piguet |
| Model | Code 11.59 by Audemars Piguet Selfwinding Chronograph / 41mm |
| Case Dimensions | 41mm (D) x 12.6mm (T) |
| Case Material | Stainless steel (26393ST.OO.A343KB.01 / 26393ST.OO.A056KB.01) Stainless steel with black ceramic midcase (26393QT.OO.A064KB.01) |
| Water Resistance | 30m |
| Dial | Bleu Nuit, Nuage 50 (26393ST.OO.A343KB.01) Green (26393ST.OO.A056KB.01) Smoked beige (26393QT.OO.A064KB.01) |
| Crystal | Double curved glareproofed sapphire crystal and exhibition caseback |
| Strap | Dial-matching leather and rubber strap with stainless steel AP pin buckle |
| Movement | Automatic calibre 4401 |
| Power Reserve | 70 hours |
| Functions | Hours, minutes, small seconds, date, flyback chronograph |
| Availability | Available for inquiries now |
| Price | US$35,000 / CHF 29,000 (blue/green), CHF 31,000 (beige w/ black ceramic mid-case) |
Breguet Type XX/20
- After five years removed from the catalogue, Breguet recently presented the fourth generation of the Type XX/20
- The two new references each bring the aesthetic closer to their respective original models, but are by no means homage
- Powered by new in-house 728-series automatic flyback column-wheel chronograph movement exclusive to the line
You can learn more about the watch here.
| Brand | Breguet |
| Model | Type 20 (ref. 2057) Type XX (ref. 2067) |
| Case Dimensions | 42mm (D) x 14.1mm (T) |
| Case Material | Stainless steel |
| Water Resistance | 100m |
| Dial | Black galvanic dial |
| Crystal(s) | Sapphire crystal and exhibition caseback |
| Strap | Interchangeable leather strap and fabric NATO strap |
| Movement | Automatic calibre 7821 (ref. 2057) Automatic calibre 782 (ref. 2067) |
| Power Reserve | 60 hours |
| Functions | Hours, minutes, small seconds, date, flyback chronograph |
| Availability | Now |
| Price | A$26,200 |
Norqain Freedom Chrono Ice Blue
- The Norqain Freedom 60 Ice Blue Limited Edition brings fresh new colour to the catalogue.
- Its 100m water-resistant case makes it ready for adventure even as a chronograph.
- It’s a limited edition of 300 pieces.
You can learn more about the watch here.
| Brand | Norqain |
| Model | Freedom 60 Ice Blue |
| Case Dimensions | 40mm (D) x 14.9mm (T) x 49.2mm (L2L) |
| Case Material | Stainless steel |
| Water Resistance | 100m |
| Crystal(s) | Sapphire |
| Dial | Ice Blue |
| Lug Width | 20mm |
| Strap | Nortide recycled linen, Perlon rubber, or steel bracelet |
| Movement | Sellita SW510-a |
| Power Reserve | 62 hours |
| Availability | Available from the Time+Tide Shop |
| Price | A$6,600 (Nortide) A$6,900 (Nortide with folding clasp or perlon rubber) A$7,100 (steel bracelet) A$7,200 (perlon rubber with folding clasp) |
Bulgari Octo Roma Chronograph
- The new Bulgari Octo Roma Chronograph collection pays tribute to the Swiss watchmaking side of the Italian brand.
- With dials featuring a hobnail pattern, their sportiness is accentuated.
- The watches come with a steel bracelet and extra rubber strap with a quick-release system.
You can learn more about the watch here.
| Brand | Bulgari |
| Model | Octo Roma Chronograph |
| Case Dimensions | 42mm (D) x 12.4mm (T) x 43.5mm (L2L) |
| Case Material | Stainless steel |
| Water Resistance | 100m |
| Crystal(s) | Sapphire |
| Dial | Blue or black |
| Lug Width | Integrated |
| Strap | Steel bracelet and colour-matched rubber strap |
| Movement | BVL 399 |
| Power Reserve | 42 hours |
| Availability | Available now |
| Price | €9,900 |
Chopard Alpine Eagle 41mm Pine Green
- The Alpine Eagle offers a distinct aesthetic and material in a saturated segment
- The lustre of Lucent Steel offers a seemingly white-gold appearance
- Eagle iris dial offers depth and texture in a novel way
You can learn more about the watch here.
| Brand | Chopard |
| Model | Alpine Eagle 41mm Pine Green |
| Case Dimensions | 41mm (D) x 9.7mm (T) x 47mm (L2L) x 53mm (Effective L2L) |
| Case Material | Lucent Stainless Steel |
| Water Resistance | 100m (screw-down crown) |
| Dial | Pine Green Eagle Iris Dial |
| Crystal(s) | Sapphire crystal and caseback |
| Strap | Lucent Stainless Steel bracelet with hidden butterfly clasp |
| Movement | COSC-certified 0101-C automatic |
| Power Reserve | 60 hours |
| Functions | Hours, minutes, seconds, date |
| Availability | Now |
| Price | A$23,000, US$14,800 |
Hamilton Jazzmaster Performer Automatic Chronograph 42mm
- Hamilton’s latest additions to the Jazzmaster line present some attractive and versatile all-rounders
- The Jazzmaster Performer Automatic Chrono brings neo-vintage styling in an appealing package
- Available in four configurations that cater to a wide variety of tastes
You can learn more about the watch here.
| Brand | Hamilton |
| Model | Jazzmaster Performer Automatic Chronograph 42mm |
| Case Dimensions | 42mm (D) x 15.22mm (T) |
| Case Material | Stainless steel, rose gold PVD stainless steel (white dial) |
| Water Resistance | 100m |
| Dial | Blue sunray, black sunray, white |
| Crystal(s) | Sapphire |
| Bracelet/Strap | Stainless 3-link, blue leather, black leather |
| Lug Width | 22mm |
| Movement | H-31 automatic chronograph |
| Power Reserve | 60 hours |
| Functions | Hours, minutes, seconds, chrono, date |
| Availability | Now, Available from the Time+Tide Shop |
| Price | US$2,195 (Black or blue/strap), US$2,245 (Black/bracelet), US$2295 (Rose gold/strap) |