Reply With QuoteI agree there is something nice about an uncomplicated full set of numbers on a dial. I like this limited edition from Oris which has yet to hit the streets.
It's occurred to me I have a bit of a thing for dials with full Arabic numerals, and I'd be interested to see if anyone else has a few favourites. I'll allow missing single numerals to accommodate date windows, but otherwise no batons etc. in the mix please!
I don't know why it is, but there's a purity about them that appeals to my childhood idea of what a watch looks like.
Here's one of my crushes to kick off, a Stowa 90th anniversary special edition that I was knocked out by when it came out:
I agree there is something nice about an uncomplicated full set of numbers on a dial. I like this limited edition from Oris which has yet to hit the streets.
Dornbluth 99.0, I love the simplicity and quality of finish.
The small seconds is in perfect proportion, I'm not keen on a dial where the numerals are partially sacrificed for subdials.
Last edited by W124; 13th August 2017 at 13:04.
I know what you mean.
As a boy most watches worn by adults around me were simple, functional pieces usually with Arabic numerals - hence they always seem like 'proper' watches to me.
Of what you can buy new currently this is my favourite.
My Kemmner marine
The full set of Arabic numerals on this Longines felt to me pleasingly unusual when I first saw it - adding a touch of practicality to the basically dressy design (the centre seconds seemed to add another)
This isn't a pic of mine, but I have one of these and really like it....
Two Zeniths I like (got one, want one):
I also have this, my favourite:
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I couldn't agree more and can't really add anything other than, personally I don't like idices or Roman Numerals at all and wouldn't buy with either.Originally Posted by rodan
It's occurred to me I have a bit of a thing for dials with full Arabic numerals, and I'd be interested to see if anyone else has a few favourites. I'll allow missing single numerals to accommodate date windows, but otherwise no batons etc. in the mix please!
I don't know why it is, but there's a purity about them that appeals to my childhood idea of what a watch looks like.
Here's one of my crushes to kick off, a Stowa 90th anniversary special edition that I was knocked out by when it came out:
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CWC G10 – 2005
SmithsW10 - 1967
I have SRQ021 with hand painted black dial
And this lovely Lorus
Also thinking of getting this Laco if the pound ever improves
This one under the allowed exceptions .....
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And another old timer
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Last 2 , I promise .
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I love the variation in numerical font and the legibility of full (or almost full) Arabic dials.
Mine are nearly all either vintage or hark back to an earlier era.
😩
DSC06309 2 by Anthony Andrades, on Flickr
The g10s are pretty coolCWC G10 – 2005
SmithsW10 - 1967
Damasko do it well, no cut off even with day and date. No batton just a triangle.
Ops sorry , naughty stair and 100 lines .
Won't do it again , promise !
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Does anyone know why they're called Arabic? They just look like regular numbers to me
The numerals originate in India. They came to Europe via Arab traders.
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Because they were invented in India, and arrived in Europe via Arabic texts.
Kind of like why Turkeys are called that because they come from the Americas....
Well, learned something new. Cheers 👍
Beautiful. I'm very envious!I have SRQ021 with hand painted black dial
Some really nice watches here.
And Arabs don't use them!
Is a sub dial OK? Nice idea for a thread.
I love the font on this one and I waited ages to find one with the dial in this condition.
Very true!
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Cheap option ?
z
Here’s my Stowa and my Glycine.
Very nice! Quartz?Cheap option ?
z
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Yes. And less than Ł175 too, so definitely a cheap option.
z
Can my IWC join in or is it too busy for some? Granted it does have sub dials but at least they have Arabics too.
I just love the blued numerals that stand up on the face. It was one of the main features that drew me in.
Some varieties of HMT Pilot have full arabic numerals:
These used to be available for about $40 on eBay. They're too small for my taste, though.
EDIT: An idle search of the bay shows they are going for about $20 shipped.
Last edited by seffrican; 13th August 2017 at 23:21. Reason: Numbers
Full set + date...
That's a really nice one.Some varieties of HMT Pilot have full arabic numerals:
These used to be available for about $40 on eBay. They're too small for my taste, though.
EDIT: An idle search of the bay shows they are going for about $20 shipped.
Great thread, with some beautifully uncluttered watches.
Especially love some of the vintage Smiths, the Stowas, the Dornblüth, that gorgeous Helvetia and, in a slightly different category, Dommorton's elegant IWC.
It's almost the ideal TZ-UK watch. It's small, handwound, has a completely in-house movement, comes with domed acrylic crystal, the lume on the hands is already pre-aged, and the dials are individually hand painted so each one is like a special edition.
The only downer for TZ-UK is that they go for as little as $10 shipped, they would need to cost 1000 times that to get any interest here.
BTW I searched eBay but couldn't find any on offer with the dial in the picture I picked.
absolutely stunning.
it's just such a clean, well proportioned watch.
I've been eyeing it as well.
i've had too many stowas already though.
I am an occasional member of an Indian watch forum and there is an equally passionate and knowledgeable group of enthusiasts on it, who appreciate everything from HMT and Ricoh to Patek Philippe. Proper original Pilots are quite hard to come by, along with the fabled white dialled limited edition with blue hands. I've been putting off buying a Pilot along with a Janata until the next time I visit India - I thought that would be long before now.
And it has a Durowe movement as well! Are they still available?
absolutely stunning.
it's just such a clean, well proportioned watch.
I've been eyeing it as well.
i've had too many stowas already though.
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I had one of those a few years ago. The case, specifically the integrated lugs, was astonishingly badly made. The smallest lug was literally less than half the width of the largest.
Arabic, I hear you say... (sadly no longer with me but I think I should try to get another)
These have the full set:
And these are almost there bar the omission of one digit:
Is this a Rhodesian issue example?
These have the full set:
I have been looking for one for years.
Cheers in advance
John
Yes. I think it was my second purchase on SC.
Very nice it looks too.
I would love to see a few more pictures in BMW if possible one day.
:-)
Sorry for the thread de-rail
What about this one:
I like a dial with Arabic numerals
Unlike some I also quite like cut out numerals
I have a few more knocking about as well as these.
Cheers
John
Truly Full Arabic:
(I can't remember why, but a railroad dial like this, with numerals for all sixty minutes, is called a Montgomery Dial)
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