Watches with Eastern Arabic Numerals Guide
Reference Guide

Watches with Eastern Arabic Numerals Guide

By quattro · Aug 24, 2025 · 49 replies
quattro
WPS member · Horological Meandering forum
49 replies13792 views69 photos
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quattro's comprehensive post delves into the fascinating world of Eastern Arabic numerals, exploring their cultural prevalence beyond horology before showcasing their exquisite application in luxury watches. This deep dive offers collectors a unique perspective on how these distinctive numerals enhance watch dials, making a strong case for their aesthetic and historical significance. His meticulous compilation serves as an invaluable reference for understanding this niche but growing segment of watch design.

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:



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

40 mm titanium. Cal. BVL 138


credit: A Collected Man


CARTIER

1/ Cloche NSO (New Special Order) - Platinum, dark blue dial



credit: @thewatchrookie


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

1/ DB27 Heat blued titanium case and Eastern Arabic numerals


credit: @6dot8


2/ DB25 Starry Varius for Emirates Watch Club

42 mm titanium. Calibre DB2005


credit: Monochrome


PHILIPPE DUFOUR Simplicity

37 mm steel case. Watch specially made to celebrate the wedding of Simon Sfeir, the son of Mr. Claude Sfeir.


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)

15-piece limited edition, made in stainless steel




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 reviewRolex 1675 Blueberry with a twist. The legend the Mystery the Myth.


credit: Bill


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

41 mm steel case




credit: @n.72qtr


UNIVERSAL GENEVE

33 mm yellow gold case. Dial with portrait of Sultan Qaboos bin Said.


credit: @momentumdubai


VACHERON CONSTANTIN

1/ American 1921, ref. 82035/000P-H063

40 mm platinum case


credit: k2luxury


2/ Cabinotiers Overseas ref. 2000V

40 x 7,5 mm steel case, cal. 1120


credit: @horology_ancienne


2/ Bespoke Traditionelle small seconds, ref. 82172

38 mm platinum


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

About the De Bethune DB25 Ref. DB25

De Bethune DB25 Reference DB25

The DB25 represents De Bethune's entry in the 44.5mm manual-wind category, distinguished by its silver dial configuration within the DB25 series. This reference launched in 2006 and continues the brand's approach to contemporary haute horlogerie complications.

The 44.5mm case is crafted from 18k white gold with a fixed bezel and sapphire crystal. Water resistance extends to 30 meters. The manual-winding caliber DB2105 movement provides a substantial 120-hour power reserve. The watch features a leather strap attachment.

This reference appeals to collectors seeking De Bethune's technical approach to timekeeping in a precious metal case. The extended power reserve and manual-wind operation position it for enthusiasts who appreciate hands-on interaction with their timepieces. The 44.5mm sizing places it in contemporary proportions within the independent watchmaking segment.

Specifications

Caliber
DB2105
Case
18k White Gold
Diameter
44.5 mm
Dial
Silver
Water Resist.
30m
Crystal
Sapphire

Key Points from the Discussion

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The Discussion
KM
KMII
Aug 24, 2025

I find somehow Cartier pulls it off best but am also incredibly partial to the 1921 here, as I would be 😁👌🏻👍🏻

AM
amanico
Aug 24, 2025

One more: From our dear, beloved and deeply missed Geo:

GO
Goh
Aug 24, 2025

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 surprisingly only 2 others (Bvlgari, Cartier) did so as well from those shown here.

GO
Goh
Aug 24, 2025

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.

QU
quattro
Aug 24, 2025

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

QU
quattro
Aug 24, 2025

I think I like the Cloche even more because it features the twelve numerals and is very clean. Best, Emmanuel

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