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Annual Calendar

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(AN-yoo-uhl KAL-uhn-dur)

QUICK ANSWER

An Annual Calendar is a watch complication that automatically adjusts the date for months with 30 or 31 days, requiring manual correction only once a year at the end of February.

What does

Annual Calendar

mean?

An Annual Calendar is a sophisticated complication in watchmaking that automatically adjusts the date displayed on a watch, accounting for the varying lengths of months throughout the year, except for February. Unlike a simple date mechanism that requires manual adjustment at the end of months with fewer than 31 days, an Annual Calendar watch only needs to be corrected once a year, at the end of February. This feature is achieved through a complex system of gears and levers that track the passage of time and adjust the date accordingly. The Annual Calendar is a testament to the ingenuity and precision of horological engineering, offering a practical solution for those who desire a watch that requires minimal intervention. It is often found in high-end timepieces, reflecting both the technical prowess and the aesthetic elegance of the watchmaker. The development of the Annual Calendar complication represents a significant advancement in the field of horology, providing a balance between the simplicity of a standard calendar and the complexity of a perpetual calendar, which accounts for leap years. This makes the Annual Calendar an attractive option for watch enthusiasts who appreciate both functionality and craftsmanship.
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Frequently Asked Questions

What is an annual calendar watch?

An annual calendar automatically accounts for months of 30 and 31 days, requiring just one manual correction per year—at the end of February, which has 28 or 29 days. Regular date watches need correction 7 times per year (after each short month). Invented by Patek Philippe in 1996 (reference 5035), the annual calendar sits between a simple date display and the fully perpetual calendar in complexity and price.

How is an annual calendar different from a perpetual calendar?

A perpetual calendar knows the complete Gregorian calendar including February's variable length and leap years, requiring no corrections until 2100 (when the calendar skips a leap year). An annual calendar recognizes 30 vs 31-day months but not February's irregularity, requiring one correction each March 1st. Perpetual calendars are significantly more complex (adding another 100+ parts) and considerably more expensive—Patek's basic perpetual calendar references command 5-10x the price of comparable annual calendar models.

Which brands make notable annual calendar watches?

Patek Philippe invented and trademarked the modern annual calendar mechanism, making it a signature complication in references like the 5396 and 5205. IWC produces several annual calendar models including the Portugieser Annual Calendar. A. Lange & Söhne offers an annual calendar in their Saxonia collection. Rolex does not make annual or perpetual calendars. Other notable annual calendar makers include Omega, Jaeger-LeCoultre, and Breitling across various price points.

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