Why do Roman Numerals Suck?
I’ve observed on Watchcrunch, that when numeral designs are discussed…those of Roman origin are often lambasted.
As a wee boy, I learned how to tell time by way of the Howard Miller grandfather clock that loomed in the front corridor of my childhood home. So familiar did the Roman numerals on its dial become…that the analog expression of time itself was branded on my brain in a neatly-traditional Roman number font. Indeed…my mental picture of time is stenciled in Roman relief.
What is your opinion? Did the font on the clock from which you learned time telling influence your design preference…or do you just think roman numerals suck?
Time dictates my linear path to its bitter end. My watches keep me one step ahead of time…and one foot out of the grave.
I love Roman numerals.
I love Roman numerals.
Excellent! Another person who does.
I am trying to remember at which pre-adolescent age I learned Roman nvmerals. How else was one to know when movies or buildings were made? Anyway, yesterday there was a comment on the appearance of an Arabic numeral on a pendulum clock. I went to look at my own to see if it shared it. Mine has Roman nvmerals and I just had never consciously realized it, or remembered it.
They suck because the „4“ is always wrong :) but somehow on my DJ36 they do not suck
I am trying to remember at which pre-adolescent age I learned Roman nvmerals. How else was one to know when movies or buildings were made? Anyway, yesterday there was a comment on the appearance of an Arabic numeral on a pendulum clock. I went to look at my own to see if it shared it. Mine has Roman nvmerals and I just had never consciously realized it, or remembered it.
I C what you DiD there.
They don’t suck. We live in an age where some don’t know how to read the time. Some can only read it with numbers. Now, they have to remember how Roman numerals work? I kid…kind of.
To me it is a design choice. It works in some watches, but not others.
I have watches with Roman numerals and regular numbers and no numbers, just indices. I am an equal opportunuty dial lover.
I think the "hate" may be another case of a smallish group of individuals complaining very loudly.
I think everything has its place. On some watches it looks wrong but works perfectly fine on others. Same goes for so many other design features and details.
I'm sure as soon as some celebrity talks up Roman numerals on a watch, they'll change their tune.
I don't see anything wrong with Roman numerals. Design is subjective so I don't really put much concern about this issue.
I ❤️them great watch 😎
Currently wearing a watch with Romans
I don't hate them just would rather not have them haha. Some watches I think it works well on but one thing I do hate is California dials. Just like the rest of California confused on what it wants to be.
Love me some Roman numerals
I wasn't fussy on 'em (Roman numerals), but I've changed my mind on that over time (see what I did there! LOL!!) ... on certain watches Roman numerals Rock!!
Somebody made a watch with a Roman numeral date wheel. Would that suffice?
I think that would be friggin cool.
Great post, @DariusII I don’t mind Roman numerals, the only issue to me is how they clutter up the dial. I’m a minimalist guy when it comes to watches and I don’t like overly congested dials. To me, I don’t need Roman numerals because I know the positions of the hours on a clock. So a dash is plenty for me to figure it out
Very kind, good sir. Solid point regarding potential for dial clutter.
Quite an odd choice to exemplify roman numerals suck when it's beautiful piece haha
You misunderstand. The title of my post refers to the consensus of comments I have read on WC, since I joined two years ago, who have mentioned they don’t like Roman numerals. I am very fond of them. My mother owned a plethora of pendulum clocks prevalent with the said numerals.
You misunderstand. The title of my post refers to the consensus of comments I have read on WC, since I joined two years ago, who have mentioned they don’t like Roman numerals. I am very fond of them. My mother owned a plethora of pendulum clocks prevalent with the said numerals.
oh my bad!
I'm the other way. If all bases face center, I know where I stand. When there is a weird flip a bit past halfway down, it annoys me terribly.
Well, one of us is clearly right and the other one 100% wrong. I'm just not sure who.
I don't hate them just would rather not have them haha. Some watches I think it works well on but one thing I do hate is California dials. Just like the rest of California confused on what it wants to be.
One of my most favorite watches has a California dial. I think that people don't like them because they are afraid that they are going to get cancer. 😂 🤣😂🤣😂
The “IIII” vs. “IV” is a design choice for what is called “Circular Symmetry”
Look it up, and go in a circle from “I” and you’ll notice the pattern.
Only like them on Cartiers…not sure why
Love Roman numerals on Cartier Santos, not so much on the Calibre which is round, I do like California dials.
Love them!!!!
Love them!!!!
Very nice!
Depends on the case and overall, sport watch with roman is not as attractive as a dress with it. Catherdral, leaf, spade and breguet hands with roman is great compared to baton, arrow, dive or even a dauphine hands are borderline.
Roman All The Way !!!
They suck because the „4“ is always wrong :) but somehow on my DJ36 they do not suck
Why is the "4" always "IIII" instead of "IV"? Never understood this.
Why is the "4" always "IIII" instead of "IV"? Never understood this.
It seems as there are certain reasons that I have posted as an answer in this post to somebody else goes as follows: Exactly there are different theories from the better look due to the different sections divided in „I“s „X“s and „V“s to a better and easy reading especially in the past to read the time faster. There is also a theory about Louis XIV and that „IV“ was part of his name so kind of his branding and that he insisted that watch makers shall use IIII instead to avoid similarities with his „trademark“. But I think the most logical reason is the one you mentioned.