Reading the functions

The arrows next to the watch above allow you to show different dates. Reading Oechslin’s calendar becomes intuitive after a short time on the wrist.

Date

The 30+1 holes around the perimeter of the dial display the date. The 10 minute markers serve as reference points. For example: the marker indicating 30 minutes also shows the 15th day of the month (30÷2=15). These 5 day markers allow for the date to be read at a glance and after a short time, you can recognize the date intuitively.

Month

The 4 perforations in the month disk indicate the month. When the outermost perforation points to 1 o’clock, it is January. When the outermost perforation points to 2 o’clock, it is February. The month disk rotates clockwise.

Leap year

The 4 perforations in the month disk also show whether it is a leap year or a common year. When the outermost dot is orange, it is a leap year (366 days). When it is dark, it is a common year (365 days). The leap year disk rotates clockwise beneath the month disk.

Power reserve

The small circle beneath 12 o’clock is the power reserve indicator. Full power (60 hours) is when the dot is beneath the rightmost 12 o’clock marker. Empty is when the dot is beneath the leftmost 12 o’clock marker. The disk rotates counterclockwise.

Hour and minute

The exact minute can be read using the date holes, which are spaced at 2 minute intervals. Holes mark even minutes and gaps odd minutes.

Second

Just above the 6 o’clock marker is a seconds disk with a milled excentric dot. This rotating disk indicates that the watch is running.

Control dot

The control dot is located between 1 and 2 o’clock. Together with the time, the control dot shows when it is okay to adjust the date. The video on the manual page shows how this works.