![](\"https:\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEjyzQ4c4dh1rkq11NmCQLw-zxWiP7M7CwjoLpexuRXwr69zXCtNvSrzj-4Tr0ac2n4y5LDEv0G2oaZAgdjC1eVqkKNOduUBM2eGd3enF36ej0n8NI6fvSS1mN7v1rNQfc-2HxUyfyRWpHdXXW90Zf3uJUMtgxwa6A00-xA4_0BdHwYEgF5Ud39HioI2kjzM\/s1250\/Arabic-top.png\")
<\/a><\/div>\nIn
\nwatch terminology, an \u201cArabic numeral dial\u201d normally means a dial using
\nfamiliar numbers such as 1, 2, 3, and 4, as opposed to Roman numerals or simple
\nhour markers. However, this common description creates a certain irony: the numerals
\nmost watch collectors call Arabic are not necessarily the ones they would
\nencounter on signs, documents, and clocks in much of the Arabic-speaking world.<\/p>\n
The The On Such Part All The Mechanically, they are identical to standard 40.5mm Bambinos and use the same F6724 movement. Hence, the date wheel still features standard “western” numbers, which is not surprising, although it would have been nice if the dates were also printed using Eastern Arabic digits.<\/p>\n
\nsymbols \u0660<\/span> <\/span>\u0661<\/span> <\/span>\u0662<\/span> <\/span>\u0663<\/span> <\/span>\u0664<\/span> <\/span>\u0665<\/span> <\/span>\u0666<\/span> <\/span>\u0667<\/span> <\/span>\u0668<\/span> <\/span>\u0669<\/span>
\nare generally known in English as Eastern Arabic numerals or Arabic-Indic
\nnumerals. Their familiar Western equivalents
\nare 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9. Both belong to the broader Hindu-Arabic numeral
\nsystem, which originated in India and was developed and transmitted through the
\nIslamic world before reaching Europe.<\/p>\n
\nterm \u201cEastern\u201d is important because the numerals are not used uniformly across
\nevery Arabic-speaking country. They remain common in the Arabian Peninsula and
\nthe eastern Arab world, while Western numerals are widely used in parts of
\nNorth Africa and are also frequently seen alongside Eastern numerals elsewhere.
\nThere is also a related Persian form, in which some of the characters differ
\nslightly. A watch described simply as having an \u201cArabic dial\u201d may therefore
\nrequire a closer look at exactly which numeral style it uses.<\/p>\n<\/a><\/div>\n
\na watch dial, Eastern Arabic numerals offer more than a change of language.
\nTheir rounded and flowing forms give a familiar watch design a noticeably
\ndifferent character. Depending on the typeface, they can appear highly
\ntraditional, almost calligraphic, or surprisingly modern. Even collectors who
\ndo not read Arabic can usually learn to recognize them quickly, since their
\nposition around the dial provides an immediate reference.<\/p>\n
\ndials are often associated with watches made for the Middle Eastern market.
\nRolex is probably the best-known historical example. The company produced
\nwatches with Arabic-language day and date displays and Eastern Arabic hour
\nnumerals for prominent customers and regional markets decades ago, particularly
\nwithin the Day-Date collection. Modern Eastern Arabic numeral Rolex models have
\nhelped renew international collector interest in the style, although the idea
\nitself is far older than the current fashion surrounding them.<\/p>\n
\nof their appeal comes from rarity. In many cases, an Eastern Arabic dial was
\noffered only through particular distributors, in certain countries, or as part
\nof a small regional edition. This can turn an otherwise familiar watch into a
\nmuch less common variation. At the same time, the numerals should not be
\ntreated merely as an exotic design theme. For many buyers, they are simply the
\nnatural local way of displaying numbers.<\/p>\n<\/a><\/div>\n
\nthis information comes to mind following a recent batch of Eastern-Arabic
\nversions of the Bambino, which popped up on Orient USA website (but not on the
\ninternational \/ Japanese site). I can only assume these are also available on
\ncertain local distributors in the Middle East.<\/p>\n
\nwatches released include reference RA-AC0035E with a green dial and golden markers
\nand hands, ref. RA-AC0036L with a blue dial, RA-AC0037R with a red dial,
\nRA-AC0038S with a white dial and gold-colored markers and hands, and reference
\nRA-AC0039Y with an ivory dial.<\/p>\n