Writers Thoughts: Is the need for a date on certain watches necessary?

What is the date today?  A question asked on a sporadic basis during the week, when needing to fill out a form or needing to submit an assignment etc.

For me I will look to either my watch or my phone for the answer.  I am a purist when it comes to reading the time off my watch than my phone.  A watch is a mechanical working wonder and is moving all the time.  My iPhone is convenient for reading the time sometimes but it lacks "soul" of a wristwatch.

The date window can either add a nice aesthetic touch to the dial or it can throw the balance of the dial out.

A date is necessary for an annual or perpetual calendar, 90% of the time these are tastefully done and look fantastic.  Any Patek Philippe perpetual calendar comes to mind.

As for just the date window alone, A Lange and Sohne is in my opinion gets it spot on with their "Big Date" window.  It fits into the dial nicely and provides a nice balance

The great Lange 1

Recently a lot of brands have brought back designs that were made in the past and given the watch a new movement, bracelet etc.

The original designs were nice because they did not have a date window.  Some of the reissues have included dates which throws the balance of the watch off.

For example the Omega Speedmaster Mark II.  The original did not have a date.  The recent reissue does.   The picture on the left is the reissue and the one on the right is the original.
 

I suppose I am bit particular but I feel the date isn't really necessary on all occasions.  After all you can use your smartphone for that :)