Roman numeral four on clocks
Anyone who has ever taken a closer look at watch dials, and in particular at wristwatch indices, may have noticed the following fact: Not all watches are equipped with Arabic numerals. Many dials are adorned with Roman numerals. But why are numerals in Roman script still used on timepieces today? And what is the special feature of the Roman numeral four on watches? These are just two of the fascinating questions surrounding Roman numeral notation on timepieces, which we will answer in this article.
Meaning and use of Roman numerals
Roman numerals are a notation for numbers that originated in ancient times. A numerator is represented by "I," 5 is written as "V," and "X" stands for 10. There are also symbols for 50 ("L"), 100 ("C"), 500 ("D"), and 1,000 ("M"), as well as for 5,000 and 10,000.
These digits can be combined to represent any conceivable number. Counting is done using the subtraction and addition method. For example, the number 9 is written as "IX," with the prime before the 10 subtracted. The number 11 is written with a prime after the 10—i.e., "XI"—so that the prime is added to the 10.
Today, Arabic numerals have become more prevalent, which is why we rarely encounter Roman numerals in everyday life. When we do see them, they are usually found on old buildings, monuments, statues, or even on the face of a clock.
The fascination of Roman numerals on watches
The larger the watch collection, the more likely it is that at least one—if not several—of the watches will be marked with Roman numerals. It's actually not uncommon for watchmakers to choose Roman numerals for the indices on the dial. This may initially seem absurd to the layman, as not everyone is able to read Roman numerals easily. In terms of legibility for everyone, Arabic numerals seem to be the far better choice.
And yet, the enormous popularity of timepieces with Roman numerals suggests that this variant also has its place. The reason for the fascination with this notation is something we can only speculate about. The purely visual aspect certainly plays a significant role, as Roman numerals instantly lend a wristwatch dial a high-quality look and a historic touch.
The origin of Roman numerals in watchmaking
Some of the oldest clock faces featuring Roman numerals were likely tower clocks. Such early tower clocks were therefore classically equipped with Roman numerals, which were subsequently adopted for pocket watches, wall clocks, and wristwatches.
The Roman Four: IV or IIII?
The Roman numeral 4 is a particularly frequently discussed symbol in connection with the indices on timepieces. The correct spelling of the Roman numeral 4 is still hotly debated among watch enthusiasts today—a topic that never seems to lose its explosiveness.
The different representations of the four on clocks
If you're even slightly familiar with Roman numerals, you'll immediately recognize how to write four: "IV." However, this notation isn't used on all watch faces. Often, you'll find four dashes instead, i.e., "IIII," which can be quite surprising. The question of whether watch faces more often display "IV" or "IIII" instead of the four has a fairly clear answer: In the vast majority of cases, watch manufacturers opt for the four dashes. Nevertheless, there are, of course, a few wristwatches that feature an "IV" on the dial.
Why some watches use "IIII" instead of "IV"
The origin of the four-dash notation can be found in the development of the Roman numeral system. This system originates from counting on the fingers of the hand or from notches on clay or wax tablets. The number of dashes was counted—whether in the form of notches or finger by finger—and initially, auxiliary numbers such as "V," "X," or "C" were omitted. These were added over time and, above all, simplified calculation, which quickly became quite confusing using dashes alone. The phenomenon of the four dashes on a wristwatch can therefore be explained in part by the history of Roman numerals. Further reasons for preferring "IIII" to "IV" will be discussed in more detail later in this article.
Well-known watch brands with Roman numerals
If you're specifically looking for a watch with Roman numerals, it usually doesn't take long to find one. This is provided you look at the right manufacturers. A surprising number of watch brands in the mid- and high-price segments include several models with "IIII" or "IV" in their range, so prospective buyers will find a wide selection.
Want a few examples? Let's start with a classic "IIII watch": the Chopard Geneve. This men's watch, which stands out particularly for its minimalist design, features four lines on the dial, with Roman numerals perfectly underscoring the pure elegance of this classic timepiece.
At this point, we'd also like to mention a Rolex watch with four numerals, which brings us directly to the Rolex Datejust. On this delicate watch icon, the four "I"s—just like the other numerals—blend seamlessly into the overall design, contributing to an all-around, more than successful look.
Last but not least, the Montblanc Star Steel, a watch with a Roman numeral 4, shouldn't be forgotten. This chronograph with its straightforward yet elegant dial also features the four-bar numeral numeral and is certainly one of the models most watch collectors would love to own.
The art of Roman numerals on clock faces
When asked about the "IIII" on the dial, many watchmakers offer an explanation that revolves around a specific key word: symmetry. By writing the number with four lines, they claim, a kind of visual balance is created on the dial, especially with regard to the "VIII," which is opposite the four on the other side. In comparison, a "IV o'clock"—following this view—would always appear somewhat disharmonious, simply due to the symbols. One reason for using the four lines is therefore purely aesthetic.
The significance of Roman numerals in culture
There are several other theories attempting to explain why the "IIII" is so often preferred to the "IV" on clock faces. One of these is the Jupiter theory, which is based on a peculiarity of written language in ancient times. At that time, the letter "I" could also be read as "J," while a "V" could stand for a "U." "IV" could therefore be read as "JU," which can be interpreted as an abbreviation for Jupiter. In this context, this does not refer to the planet itself, but rather to a high god from Roman mythology. At a time when the legends surrounding the deities were far more than mere stories for many people, it would probably have seemed condescending and inappropriate to write "JU" on a clock face alongside other, quite ordinary numbers.
Another explanation focuses on King Louis XIV. The so-called "Sun King" is said to have recognized the number four written "IIII" as a significantly better version and ordered all clockmakers in his domain to write the number in dashes.
These two theories, which relate to cultural aspects, have been circulating for a long time and can neither be definitively confirmed nor completely refuted. Ultimately, everyone has to form their own opinion and decide for themselves which version of the story surrounding the design of the clock face they consider most likely.
Practical aspects of Roman numerals
Aside from Jupiter, the Sun King, and the like, there are several quite logical reasons for using the line inscription. First, there's the risk of confusion posed by the "IV." After all, the "VI" also belongs on the dial, differing from the "IV" only in the position of the line, which is feared to make the watch difficult to read.
Added to this is the aspect of economy: In the past, the indices—just like the hands, for example—had to be laboriously cast by hand. Molds were used for this. If one chose the number four as "IIII," one could conveniently use a mold with 20 lines and four recesses each for "V" and "X," and simply reuse these four times—and thus create a complete set of characters. If a watchmaker wanted to write "IV" instead, this procedure no longer worked, which may have significantly complicated the production of indices of this variant and thus made it somewhat less popular.
Conclusion
Anyone hoping for a clear answer in this article as to whether "IV" or "IIII" should be considered the correct choice of letter will be disappointed. There is no single correct spelling. Even though "IV" is much more common these days outside the watch world, "IIII" cannot be considered incorrect per se. Rather, there are several perfectly reasonable reasons for using the dash variant, especially when labeling a watch. So, it remains to be said: Both are acceptable! Which spelling a watchmaker chooses is likely largely a matter of taste.