The perpetual calendar indicators

Traditionally, a perpetual calendar combines a variety of information on a single dial. Arranging this information in an appealing way is a challenge of its own. The Moritz Grossmann PERPETUAL CALENDAR offers a symmetrical and clear dial where all the indicators come together to form a single, harmonious picture.

Both the watch’s appearance and its legibility benefit from the way the date is presented on a ring running around the dial, with a full date scale from 1 to 31 printed on it. To distinguish the date display from the hour and minute hands and keep the face tidy and clear, there is a cup-shaped indicator on the outside that marks the current date by framing it. Another ring further in on the dial has a fine radiant cut to it that bolsters the elegant appearance.

The month and day of the week are displayed on two subsidiary dials left and right of centre, at 3 and 9 o’clock. They are decorated using a refined Azurage technique, just as the small seconds are. This technique involves a circular pattern of ultra-thin grooves which catch the light in an intriguing and appealing way. Each of these subsidiary dials has a small window at its centre. One of them serves as a leap year indicator, as the hallmark of a perpetual calendar is its knowledge of leap years and indication of the 29th of February every four years. The second small window is a day–night display which makes it easier to link the time with the date when setting the watch.

Moon phase display

The 12 o’clock position features a poetic moon phase display where a gleaming mother-of-pearl moon tracks across a dark night’s sky with small, sparkling stars. The soft glow of the moon is set against a goldstone background which is illuminated by small copper crystals. Together, it is all reminiscent of a starry night’s sky.

Convenient operation

Correctors are located on the sides of the case for all the displays on the PERPETUAL CALENDAR. Using them, the date, day of the week, month and moon phase can quickly be set and coordinated. The correctors are recessed subtly into the case and are operated with a special tool that comes with the watch.

The timepiece offers a further special feature in the form of a sum corrector. If the watch goes a few days without being wound, this pusher is all the wearer needs to revise the date since the day-of-week, month and moon phase indicators will all follow automatically.