Another weird display question

[Colnago]

This one really has had me perplexed for years and years, nobody has ever given a reasonable answer....sure there will be more than one opinion here....

Dials with Roman numeral displays.....very simple....we learned at school that the Roman numeral for Four was IV...in other words one (I) before five (V).....

So why do watch and clock dials allways show four as IIII??????

From what I have seen there are absolutely no exceptions.....

Now, some might say that it's so you don't confuse IV (4) with VI (6) with the fonts flipping from top half to bottom half due to dial design....ok, but in reallity on a circular (or even rectangular) watch or clock dial how are you ever going to really make that mistake????

That's about the only explanation I have ever heard and I don't go with it.......any opinions or does anyone really know for sure????

[DRAWTOOL]

Originally Posted by Colnago

This one really has had me perplexed for years and years, nobody has ever given a reasonable answer....sure there will be more than one opinion here....

Dials with Roman numeral displays.....very simple....we learned at school that the Roman numeral for Four was IV...in other words one (I) before five (V).....

So why do watch and clock dials allways show four as IIII??????

From what I have seen there are absolutely no exceptions.....

Now, some might say that it's so you don't confuse IV (4) with VI (6) with the fonts flipping from top half to bottom half due to dial design....ok, but in reallity on a circular (or even rectangular) watch or clock dial how are you ever going to really make that mistake????

That's about the only explanation I have ever heard and I don't go with it.......any opinions or does anyone really know for sure????

That one has been addressed here, if memory serves it has to do with face symmetry.

[Overkill]

I found this: http://www.ubr.com/clocks/frequently...ock-dials.aspx

It has some interesting theories.

[Colnago]

Thanks and whoops....I forgot to search first....apologies...I should have known someone had probably already asked a similar question

[BLM2]

I read somewhere that the dial is divided into thirds. Numbers 1-4 are simple Romans (I, II, III, IIII), 5-8 have a "V" in the number and 9-12 have a "X" in the dial for symetry (sp?).

Lee

[Alcan]

http://www.bhi.co.uk/hints/roman.htm

http://www.ubr.com/clocks/frequently...ock-dials.aspx

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clock_face

http://www.sdreader.com/php/ma_show.php?id=404

http://www.web40571.clarahost.co.uk/roman/clockface.htm

Originally Posted by Colnago

From what I have seen there are absolutely no exceptions.....

There are.

[TempoKing]

II prefer the original Roman way, never IIII instead of IV
BECAUSE what would then stop us to use IIX for 8.?

Also look at the trouble for dial symmetry if we used Greek numerals

1 = Α
2 = Β
3 = Γ
4 = Δ
5 = Ε
6 = ST
7 = Ζ
8 = H
9 = 8 (theta)
10 = Ι
11 = IA
12 = IB

[Colnago]

Originally Posted by Alcan

http://www.bhi.co.uk/hints/roman.htm

http://www.ubr.com/clocks/frequently...ock-dials.aspx

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clock_face

http://www.sdreader.com/php/ma_show.php?id=404

http://www.web40571.clarahost.co.uk/roman/clockface.htm





There are.

Blimey....well there you go.....thanks very much, honestly that's the first exception I've seen.......great replies....thanks to all for what was probably a crazy question....just something that has puzzled me for years....you guys (and girls) really are a great source of knowledge....quite amazing

[allanofcalifornia]

I would guess that the IIII is chosen over the IV on watches today because of legacy and tradition.


Allan

[Alcan]

Originally Posted by Colnago

Blimey....well there you go.....

[GinGinD]

Although there are some charming fables about it out there, the actual answer is dial symmetry.

Jeannie

[MrCowboy99]

Originally Posted by GinGinD

dial symmetry.

x2

Look and see what balances better?

VIII IIII

- or -

VIII IV

You other options are Sticks?