1940’s Roman numeral dials from quality brands

[Vintage.View]

The Roman numeral dial. Tracing back to the 13th century when Roman numerals where still in use for clocks.

As to this day the Roman hour markers are still used on watch dials. Although commonly seen as flashy or trashy.

The use on 1940’s watches with subtle numerals mixed with dot markers and slim hands make it a very classy aesthetic and commonly seen for the period.

I own a Jaeger LeCoultre and Ulysse Nardin with this very period look.

I personally love it or absolutely hate it. How these are executed is in my honest opinion one of the best dial designs ever. This is prime design for 1940’s design. Where you can later see the use of Romans in very tacky designs that don’t speak to me at all.

What is your opinion on Roman numerals on watches? And I would love to see this design from other pieces as well!

 

[Tony C.]

I tend to prefer Arabic, but do like well-executed Roman numerals.

This Juvenia is a nice variation, in my view, while the Omega is a more classic application.

 

[allwoundup]

Here are a couple of mine from the period in question. The black dialed Lincoln is powered by a Kurth Freres (changed name to Certina in 1939) cal. 300 and is very similar in design to KF sub-brand “Grana” watches I have seen. Perhaps “Lincoln” was a KF sub-brand directed at the US market. I find the use of Roman numerals in vintage watches somehow more “convincing” than more modern executions.

 

[seekingseaquest]

I think this one is 1940s, a Valjoux 22 powered 35mm steel Baume & Mercier

 

[gatorcpa]

Eterna Automatic circa 1948:

The patina is from yellowing of the dial lacquer. The middle was as white as the edges originally.
gatorcpa

 

[Vitezi]

These are both circa 1941: