London, May 15, 2026
Duckworth Prestex is proud to announce the Prestex Big Date Automatic: a refined new timepiece that brings together classical watchmaking design with one of horology’s most practical and visually satisfying complications.
With its balanced dial, prominent double-window date display and open-heart detail, the Big Date Automatic reflects a careful approach to proportion, legibility and everyday usability, while continuing the brand’s focus on mechanical character and thoughtful design.
At the centre of the watch is the oversized big date display, positioned at 12 o’clock. Unlike a standard date window, which often appears as a small and secondary feature, the big date is designed to be read at a glance. Two separate discs work in unison to present the date in a larger, clearer format, creating a display that is both highly legible and visually distinctive.
For founder Neil Duckworth, the appeal of the complication lies in its clarity as much as its mechanical interest. The big date introduces a sense of order to the dial, while also delivering a precise and satisfying change at midnight.
Duckworth explains: “The big date is one of those complications that is incredibly useful but also very pleasing to look at. Because the numerals are larger, you read it instantly. But there is also something very satisfying about the mechanism itself; the way the discs change over together. It adds a moment of precision to the watch each day. And the whole package is just stunning to look at.”
The dial has been designed to support this sense of balance. The big date aperture at 12 o’clock is complemented by an open-heart display at 6 o’clock, offering a view into the movement and introducing a subtle sense of motion. Together, these elements create a symmetrical layout that feels both structured and dynamic.
A guilloché-style textured centre adds depth without overwhelming the design, while applied numerals and heat-blued hands provide contrast and clarity. The result is a dial that remains easy to read yet reveals increasing detail over time.
The Big Date Automatic is housed in a stainless steel case measuring 39.5mm, a size chosen to reflect traditional proportions while ensuring modern wearability. Coin-edge detailing along the case band adds a distinctive touch, drawing on vintage design cues that have long been associated with the Prestex aesthetic.
The watch is paired with a hand-finished leather strap, reinforcing its versatility as a piece that can move easily between formal and everyday settings.
Inside, the watch is powered by an automatic movement with a power reserve of over 48 hours. The inclusion of an open-heart aperture allows the wearer to observe part of the escapement in motion, offering a direct connection to the mechanical nature of the watch.
The Big Date Automatic is priced at £850, with private pre-order access now available. The first 50 pieces will be delivered in June 2026.
Combining a highly legible complication with a balanced dial design and considered proportions, the Big Date Automatic continues Duckworth Prestex’s approach to watchmaking: creating timepieces that are practical, characterful and designed to be worn every day.
