The Orbit’s innovative on-demand retrograde date hand essentially has two modes: a stationary mode and an active mode. When the date hand is in the stationary mode, it remains in its fixed position pointing at 12 o’clock, leaving the off-centred dial unobstructed. Using the pusher on the left side of the case, the date hand is ”engaged” and jumps to point at the correct date. In this mode, the date automatically advances once per day at midnight. With another push of the button, the hand returns to its stationary position, with a mechanical memory allowing it to jump back to the correct date whenever demanded by the wearer.