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29 kwi 2010 · Why do some analog clocks with Roman numerals have '4' as 'IV,' while others have 'IIII'? This is one of those questions where no one seems to have a definitive answer, and probably no one ever...
21 sie 2018 · The IIII numeral, more complex than the usual IV numeral, might provide better visual balance to the complex VIII found on the other side of the dial. Most modern or vintage watches and clocks rely on a mix of additive notation and subtractive notation (where the 4 is IIII and the 9 is IX).
Have you noticed that almost all clocks and watches with Roman numerals on the dial use IIII instead of IV? Here’s why.
7 paź 2024 · Discover why Roman numeral clocks & watches often use "IIII" instead of "IV" for 4 and explore the historical, aesthetic, and practical reasons behind this.
24 kwi 2022 · In short, modern clocks and watches with roman numerals use IIII instead of IV on the dial for visual balance and symmetry. Looking at the hour markers of a watch with roman numerals, such as the Rolex Datejust, we can see how the IIII hour marker helps divide the dial into three different, balanced sections: 1:00 to 4:00, displayed as I, II ...
The Romans didn’t have clocks. They did have sundials, and I suppose — although unfortunately Little Ed prematurely cleaned out the “Timekeeping devices, ancient” GIF file — that they may have used IIII instead of IV to identify the fourth hour.
Look carefully at a few examples of clocks and watches with Roman numerals on them and you may notice some discrepancy regarding one of the numbers... the number 4. The Roman numeral for 4 is IV, but many clock faces will use IIII instead.
