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Watches with Eastern Arabic numerals
Eastern Arabic numerals are a graphic variant of the Hindu–Arabic numeral system, used in the countries of the Mashriq, the east of the Arab world, as opposed to the west, called Maghreb.
In the countries of the Mashriq, these numerals can be found anywhere:
A clock in the Cairo Metro:
The clock of Our Lady of Saidnaya Patriarchal Monastery in Saidnaya, Syria:
An egyptian telephone keypad:
A fruit stall near the Sabil-Kuttab of Tusun Pasha (Muhammad Ali) in Cairo:
The clock of Our Lady of Saidnaya Patriarchal Monastery in Saidnaya, Syria:
An egyptian telephone keypad:
A fruit stall near the Sabil-Kuttab of Tusun Pasha (Muhammad Ali) in Cairo:
And there is a Persian and an Urdu variant of these numerals:
But, of course, what I want to show is how these numerals have been used in watches.
So here is a random selection of watches with Eastern Arabic numerals organised by brands in alphabetical order.
ARNOLD & SON
1/ HMS1 Abu Dhabi Exclusive, 20 pieces
credit: @fitzroviawatches
2/ Luna Magna Abu Dhabi Edition of 20 pcs
credit: @yousefalkhoori
3/ Nebula, ref. 1.NEAS.F01A.C219S
41,5 mm case. 25 pcs.
credit: the marin vault
AUDEMARS PIGUET
1/ Code 11.59 Tourbillon Ref. 26396QT.OO.D009KB.01 - Middle East special edition designed during the Dubai edition of “Create the Extraordinary” in June 2022
Stainless steel case in 41mm with ceramic case middle, sapphire crystal with display case back. Automatic flying tourbillon movement Cal.2950. Meteorite dial with Arabic indexes. Limited to 30 pieces
credit: @watchprofessor & @s_pixels83
2/ Royal Oak Tourbillon Ref. 26530TI.OO.1220TI.05
41 mm titanium case. Salmon “Evolution Tapisserie” with applied Eastern Arabic numerals. Cal. 2950, automatic with flying tourbillon escapement, 27 jewels.
credit: Christie's
LUDOVIC BALLOUARD 'Upside Down'
41 mm platinum case. Navy blue with Eastern Arabic numerals. Cal. B01 Manual-winding
credit: Christie's
BALTIC MR-01 'Perpétuel' Edition
36 mm steel case. Limited to 300 pieces. Movement: Hangzhou Watch Factory ELA05MN
credit: @maxtor71 & @thrillwatch
BULGARI Octo Finissimo Arabic Numerals
credit: A Collected Man
CARTIER
1/ Cloche NSO (New Special Order) - Platinum, dark blue dial
credit: @thewatchrookie
credit: S.Song
credit: @yohann_martinez
1/ DB27 Heat blued titanium case and Eastern Arabic numerals
credit: @6dot8
credit: Monochrome
37 mm steel case. Watch specially made to celebrate the wedding of Simon Sfeir, the son of Mr. Claude Sfeir.
credit: Hodinkee
Ref. 81010-11-1750-11A
Ref. 81010-11-1745-11A
Ref. 81010-11-1746-11A
Ref. 81010-11-3075HB4A with a Western-Arabic date disc...
credit: the marin vault
credit: Bachmann & Scher
39 mm tantalum case. Manual, Cal. 1304, 22 jewels
credit: Phillips
credit: Lunar Oyster
credit: k2luxury
15-piece limited edition, made in stainless steel
credit: a collected man
credit: @horology_ancienne
credit: @wildman_nyc
credit: @lehorologyclub
2/ Ref. 6144/6145
32 mm steel case, green enamel dial
credit: @gordonwonglc
credit: @momentumdubai
credit: @benaswatches
credit: horology_ancienne
credit: Hodinkee
credit: Bulang & sons
credit: @tudorwatch_club
41 mm steel case
credit: @n.72qtr
33 mm yellow gold case. Dial with portrait of Sultan Qaboos bin Said.
credit: @momentumdubai
40 mm platinum case
credit: k2luxury
40 x 7,5 mm steel case, cal. 1120
credit: @horology_ancienne
2/ Bespoke Traditionelle small seconds, ref. 82172
BONUS: CARTIER Santos Dumont XL “Timepeace” Edition, ref. 4536
25 pieces in yellow gold
Malachite dial designed by Yoni Ben-Yehuda, featuring a selection of numerals drawn from some alphabets around the world:
2/ Tank Asymétrique NSO - Platinum case, champagne dial
credit: S.Song
3/ Santos Dumont Platinum Middle East Limited Edition Ref. WGSA0060
46.6 x 33.9 mm platinum case
credit: momentum-dubai
CHOPARD Alpine Eagle 41
1/ Middle East Edition
credit: the store fzco
2/ Qatar Edition
credit: @yohann_martinez
DE BETHUNE
credit: @6dot8
2/ DB25 Starry Varius for Emirates Watch Club
42 mm titanium. Calibre DB2005
credit: Monochrome
PHILIPPE DUFOUR Simplicity
credit: Hodinkee
GIRARD PERREGAUX LAUREATO 81010
42 mm steel case, self-winding cal. GP01800-0008
Ref. 81010-11-1749-11A
Ref. 81010-11-1750-11A
Ref. 81010-11-1745-11A
Ref. 81010-11-1746-11A
Ref. 81010-11-3075HB4A with a Western-Arabic date disc...
credit: the marin vault
IWC
Portugieser Chronograph Al Jalila Foundation UAE Ref. IW371489
Steel Blue Dial With Persian Numerals Limited Edition
credit: Bachmann & Scher
F.P. JOURNE
1/ Chronomètre Bleu Byblos
39 mm tantalum case. Manual, Cal. 1304, 22 jewels
credit: Phillips
2/ Chronographe Rattrapante - special-order pieces
credit: Lunar Oyster
credit: k2luxury
KRAYON
'Anywhere' variant made in collaboration with Perpétuel Gallery (2021)
credit: a collected man
OMEGA
Triple Calendar Cosmic Moonphase, Ref. 2486
37,5 mm case
Note that the numerals are Farsi (Persian or Perso-Arabic variant) not Eastern-Arabic.
credit: @horology_ancienne
PATEK PHILIPPE
I didn't find any Patek Philippe watch with Eastern Arabic numerals: this is, just for fun, a Wildman NYC customised Aquanaut
credit: @wildman_nyc
ROLEX
1/ Ref. 6144
32 mm steel case, blue enamel dial
credit: @lehorologyclub
2/ Ref. 6144/6145
32 mm steel case, green enamel dial
credit: @gordonwonglc
3/ Day-Date, ref. 1806
credit: @momentumdubai
4/ GMT ref. 1675 Blueberry
Courtesy of Bill's great review: Rolex 1675 Blueberry with a twist. The legend the Mystery the Myth.
5/ Day-Date 40 Platinum, ref. 218206
credit: @benaswatches
6/ Platinum Daytona ref. 116506-0004
credit: horology_ancienne
SEIKO 5 ARABIC DIAL, ref. SNKP21J1
42 mm steel case, cal. Seiko 7S26 automatic movement
credit: Hodinkee
TUDOR
1/ Black Bay Chrono Dubai Edition Arabic-Indic Numerals Ref 79360N
42 mm steel case
credit: Bulang & sons
2/ Black Bay 58 18k Abu Dhabi Limited Edition to 50 pcs by Mohamad Rasool Khouri Abu Dhabi
39 mm yellow gold case
credit: @tudorwatch_club
3/ Black Bay 41 – 75th anniversary of Fifty One East Tudor Official Dealer – Doha Qatar store "Eastern Arabic Numerals" – 75 pieces
credit: @n.72qtr
UNIVERSAL GENEVE
credit: @momentumdubai
VACHERON CONSTANTIN
1/ American 1921, ref. 82035/000P-H063
credit: k2luxury
2/ Cabinotiers Overseas ref. 2000V
credit: @horology_ancienne
2/ Bespoke Traditionelle small seconds, ref. 82172
38 mm platinum
credit: @horology_ancienne
credit: @horology_ancienne
credit: @horology_ancienne
credit: @horology_ancienne
3/ Bespoke Traditionelle small seconds, ref. 82172
38 mm platinum?
credit: @horology_ancienne
4/ Bespoke Traditionelle small seconds ref. 82172
38 mm platinum case & dial
credit: @horology_ancienne
BONUS: CARTIER Santos Dumont XL “Timepeace” Edition, ref. 4536
25 pieces in yellow gold
Malachite dial designed by Yoni Ben-Yehuda, featuring a selection of numerals drawn from some alphabets around the world:
- 1, 4, 8, 10, 11, 12: Roman
- 2: Eastern Arabic
- 3: Western Arabic
- 5: Runic
- 6: Mandarin (liù)
- 7: Hebrew ז (zayin)
- 9: Greek Θ (theta)
credit: @hairdude (1-2) & @thewatchrookie
Watches with Eastern Arabic numerals
Eastern Arabic numerals are a graphic variant of the Hindu–Arabic numeral system , used in the countries of the Mashriq , the east of the Arab world , as opposed to the west , called Maghreb . In the countries of the Mashriq , these numerals can be found ...
Thanks so much for collating these 👌🏻👍🏻🙏🏻
I find somehow Cartier pulls it off best but am also incredibly partial to the 1921 here, as I would be 😁👌🏻👍🏻
Yes, both are very well done.
I think I like the Cloche even more because it features the twelve numerals and is very clean. Best, Emmanuel
Just like you, I find the Cartier Cloche
and the American 1921 both very well done. The first Arnold & Son is quite nice too. I like it when the dial is clean and features the twelve numerals. For that reason, I also find the dial of the Overseas well done. Best, Emmanuel
Thank you. These two are particularly well done,
I agree! The 1st Arnold & Son and the Overseas also have a nice and clean dial with the twelve numerals (which I like), imo. Best, Emmanuel
Superb post. There are some marvels, here!
One more: From our dear, beloved and deeply missed Geo: ...
Thank you! I’m sorry to read that your friend Geo
has passed away. His Tank Cintrée is very original with stylized numerals. They rarely come in this simplified design. Best, Emmanuel
Awesome work again, Emmanuel.
The Middle East must be a huge market. IMO, they work best when the dial is clean and most of these Eastern Arabic numerals are present. I quite like the few from VC, particularly the 1921. It is very appropriate to use green for the numerals, and surpris...
I think of this one...
Created in 1997 to commemorate the handover of Hong Kong to China. Not many deviates from the Arabic or Roman numerals back then. *both pictures from NEW YORK WATCH GALLERY. ...
Thank you, Goh.
Like you, I prefer the cleaner dials with the twelve numerals (or eleven of them). For me, the Cartier Cloche stands out as well as the 1921. The 1st Arnold & Son and the Overseas are quite nice too. Best, Emmanuel
The first chart is Super helpful! I have always admired Eastern- Arabic numerals, they just look cool and interesting!
I hope to have a watch someday that has that feature and the images you provided are simply amazing, how could I ever choose one?!!
I’m glad if it’s helpful, Larry!
I like these numerals too. For me, the cleaner the dial and the more of the twelve digits it contains, the better. I find the Cartier Cloche particularly well done, as well as the American 1921. Best, Emmanuel
Thank you for this extensive and informative post.
So many beautiful dials using Eastern Arabic numerals, some executed better than others. I believe I saw a Patek with Eastern Arabic numerals at the Patek museum. If i recall correctly, the watch was commissioned for a Kuwaiti client. Beyond that, who kno...
Great post! Many watches I had not seen before…
Here are some others I know of, by Bell & Ross and Unimatic: ...
Who knows indeed. But I find it quite striking that
no photo of a PP watch with eastern-Arabic numerals can be found online. Why? I wonder. Is PP reluctant to use such numerals? Horology Ancienne, who are a great father and son duo collecting many wonderful Patek Philippe watches have several bespoke piece...
This very sibylline ";)" can mean a lot of things, which will remain unknown to us!
Anyway, thank you so much for sharing some of the wonderful grails of your collection and your great horological knowledge and insights. Best cordial regards, Emmanuel
Incredible pictorial!
My favorites here are, predictably, the 1921, but also the beautiful Code 11.59 with the tourbillon and meteorite dial ....
Thank you, Filip. I agree that the 1921 and the Code
are very attractive. I also fond the Cartier Cloche quite nice. Best, Emmanuel
Another great post, thank you.
I feel the same way I do about numbers or romans, the cleaner the dial the better things look. For example, even the Daytona here looks messy. By contrast some of the Cartier look the best. As for that last Cartier “Timepeace”, I’ve seen it before and it’...
Thank you, Jay.
The Cartier Cloche stands out, I think so too. As for the TimePeace, well… it’s trying too hard to deliver a message, even if a good one of course… André Gide, a French writer, said: “It is with fine sentiments that bad literature is made”… Best, Emmanuel...
Great addition, thank you!
Seiko has also made some wrist watches with these numerals, like this 42mm SNKP21J1. Best, Emmanuel credit: hodinkee ...
Indian
As you said, originally Indian numbers. https://youtu.be/Ar7CNsJUm58?si=xMsUGsbmv_ZtEHJj Much of the math and science many think came from the west actually originated in the ancient institutes of higher learning of the east. But as usual, the narrative h...
Thank you. Yes, they're sometimes
also called Indic numerals or Arabic–Indic numerals Thank you for the backwards clock: I hadn't seen one like this. And I included some Laureatos (should have thought GP had done some of them with these numerals). Best, Emmanuel
Thank you for looking and chiming in.
I agree, these numerals give the watch a nice unusual look. Best, Emmanuel
Thank you so much dear Emmanuel for this wonderful post with…
… explanations about Eastern Arabic numerals and pictures of so many superb examples of watches with these indexes. I always found that these numerals add an special and exotic charm to the dials so marked. Regret to say I own only one example in my colle...
Thank you so much, dear Abel, for your very kind message.
The Seiko 5 might be "humble" compared to some very elaborate or pricey watches, but it looks very good and your photos are gorgeous. I will definitely add this reference to the post. Warm regards, Emmanuel
Eastern Arabic numerals will forever have a place in my heart and remind me of the wonderful years I had the privilege to spend in the Arabic/Persian Gulf.
Fun fact: Bahrain removed these numerals from their license plates because they are a reference to the country’s colonial past as it was the British who introduced these numerals in the Gulf region. Guess what the real Arabic numbers are… it’s those that ...
For all of you who would like to practice your Arabic numerals skills please look at the following video:
https://youtu.be/Vy3fKt0phUA?si=ITk8FuU4BsfTUk26 What is the area code of Amman?
Yes, very interesting and unexpected and quite paradoxical!
Thank you for letting us know! Best, Emmanuel
That’s not entirely accurate
Number plates with Eastern Arabic numerals are still legal for road cars produced pre 1990. However there is a $250 one time charge and are available upon request by the owner. Credit instagram@carsofbahrain As far as colonial references go, this isn’t co...
Yes, that’s the exception of the general rule but you see these very rarely.
The colonial reference was mentioned to me by my Bahraini friends, with Bahrain having been a British protectorate until 1973.