It's a little simpler than you asked for - they don't even need to delete the date wheel, just don't punch the date window in the dial. Several dive watches offer either with or without date options, and the date wheel is present in both on the ones I have entertained/purchased.

: Jeff,

: Thank you for your thoughts... I assume that you have the attention
: of at least a few of the "bigs" at Tag.

: I agree that a 40-41 mm size would be in the Goldilocks range for a
: modern reincarnation. But only if the proportions of the watch
: are kept just right. Upsizing a case by making a wider bezel,
: and keeping the dial real estate the same would be
: off-putting/downright wrong.

: I too am less concerned about an automatic vs manual wind movement,
: as long as the thickness is not negatively impacted... I have
: only seen images of the aborted CH80 Carrera (I believe 2-3
: years ago shown at Baselworld), so I have no idea of the
: thickness of that movement when cased. Too many movements are
: placed in bulky cases, which again throws off the tactile
: feel/balance of the final product. This is not a diver needing
: more than 100m water resistance, which I doubt this watch will
: even have. (Hopefully it will be solid steel caseback rather
: than a sapphire too.)

: My one firm disagreement with your comment is on the date. Yes, the
: CH80 has a date at 4 o'clock. I don't know what production
: difficulties would ensue if indeed the movement in the 2017
: Autavia is the CH80, were they to consider removing the date
: wheel.

: However, the argument that men's watches will not sell, in 2016 and
: beyond, without a date function is erroneous. If Tag/Biver say
: "the market demands a date", I say show me your focus
: groups, tell me where you found them, and I can find another
: focus group to say the opposite. The truth is simply: if you
: make the watch and it is nice enough, people will buy it.

: I believe that producing the watch with no date would not deter ANY
: interested buyer from purchasing it. However... having a date on
: it will keep some (yes some, not necessarily all) parties from
: buying it because of the a) asymmetry, depending on placement or
: b) disruption of the harmony and simplicity of the dateless
: dial. So there is no downside to producing a modern version sans
: date, a la the original. Of course, this is in keeping with your
: comment about extraneous verbiage placed on the dial, like
: "automatic".

: These companies can do whatever they please, obviously, but when
: will all the marketing departments realize that style from the
: late 50s and 60s remains appealing today for a good reason!