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Eastern Elegance: 5 Watches Showcasing Eastern-Arabic Numerals
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In markets across the Middle East, like the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, Oman, Bahrain, and Egypt, “eastern Arabic” dials are immensely popular. Instead of the usual simple hour markers, and in place of the common Roman or western Arabic numerals, you’ll find the eastern-Arabic equivalents (١,٢,٣,٤,٥,٦,٧,٨,٩,٠) on the dial.
This makes them easy to read for Arabic speakers, and the unique dial design draws the attention of collectors the world over.
Unfortunately, the market for eastern-Arabic dials is underserved. Though brands like Audemars Piguet, Patek Philippe, and Vacheron Constantin occasionally produce limited editions with these numbers, they sell almost immediately and typically must be special ordered from a regional boutique.
That said, there are a number of eastern-Arabic-dialled watches that are easier to find and more or less in constant production.
Let’s take a closer look.
Seiko 5 SNK REF. SNK063J5
Seiko’s commitment to quality is second to none, and the amazingly popular Seiko 5 SNK series benefits tremendously from the brand’s century of experience.
Designed in an era when watches were still used to tell the time, the SNK series reflects a winning combination of utility and style. Marrying form and function into a sleek 34mm case with a small crown tucked away at 4 o’clock, it wears comfortably no matter the occasion. Slim enough to slip under your shirt cuff without catching, and offering 30m/3ATM water resistance, you don’t need to worry about washing your hands or a sudden rain shower ruining your watch.
In short, this Seiko 5 is meant to be worn.
As you’d expect, the black dial highlights starkly-white eastern-Arabic numerals marking the hours. The day/date window, too, features Arabic day designations as well as English equivalents, with only the typical Seiko markings and date in an exclusively western font.
The luminous hour and minute hands, as well as a simple seconds hand, keep the dial immediately legible, a gesture toward the utility this watch was designed around.
Inside, you’ll find the time-tested Seiko 7S26 automatic movement, a solid, dependable choice that’s easy to service or repair pretty much anywhere in the world. Expect good accuracy, typically within –20 to +40 seconds per day – though in my experience, many SNKs run far better than that.
If you’re looking for a watch that balances slender wrists and smaller hands, the Seiko 5 SNK is a great choice. And if you need a watch with an eastern-Arabic dial that’s readable, reliable, and understated, you simply can’t go wrong with it.
Expect to pay roughly $200 for this timepiece.
Rolex Day-Date 40 REF. 228206-0048
No name in luxury horology carries more weight than Rolex, and perhaps no eastern-Arabic watch is more highly prized than their Day-Date 40. And while there are many models to choose from, spanning a wide range of dial colors, materials, and embellishments, my choice would be the exclusive REF. 228206-0048.
The solid 950 platinum case, measuring 40mm without the crown, creates a radiant platform for a soft sage/olive green dial. Eastern-Arabic numerals mark the hours, and baton-style hands, as well as an unadorned seconds hand, leave the dial free from clutter and mess. An Arabic day window at the 12, combined with the cyclops-style magnifying lens over the eastern-Arabic date window, are iconic dial details of the Day-Date 40, here customized for the Middle-Eastern market.
Rolex supplies this masterpiece with the in-house Rolex Caliber 3255, a flagship movement that offers, among other things, superb accuracy. A Certified Superlative Chronometer, the Caliber 3255 keeps time to within +2/-2 seconds per day, and features innovative design details like its Chronergy escapement and Parachrom hairspring, offering enhanced energy efficiency and durability, respectively.
An elegant statement on any wrist, this Rolex functions as much as a symbol of status and wealth as a timepiece. Meticulously crafted and exquisitely machined, from the movement to the dial, Rolex demonstrates why it’s at the top of its game.
Given the exceedingly high demand for these watches, expect to pay upward of $100,000 for the Rolex Day-Date 40 with eastern-Arabic numerals.
Cartier Santos REF. WSSA0055
Cartier’s unmistakable style sets it apart from its rivals, and this Santos’s distinctive sunburst green dial and black DLC coating set a new bar for casual chic.
Its 39.8mm case offers soft, sinuous curves that frame a square dial. Beautifully applied eastern-Arabic numerals, sword-style hands, and an eastern-Arabic date window at the 6 lend this watch an uncluttered look. And careful attention to details like the exposed screws, matching green alligator-leather strap, and faceted crown add visual interest while keeping the overall look sophisticated.
Inside, Cartier has chosen the in-house 1847 MC, an automatic-winding mechanical movement that is easy to service and uncommonly reliable. In my opinion, that takes this Santos to the next level by replacing Sellita- or ETA-based calibers with Cartier’s own design, reflecting the
brand’s push for manufacturing autonomy.
For collectors or enthusiasts searching for an eastern-Arabic dial, the Cartier Santos is a tempting option. Perhaps no alternative on our shortlist today has numerals that are as stunningly applied or designed, and if you can’t resist a dark green dial, the look they create together is unforgettable.
When new, these timepieces retail for roughly $14,000.
Shinola “Habibi Edition”
To create the “Habibi Edition,” Shinola collaborated with Dan Elhosni, “The Big Habibi,” to honor his Lebanese heritage and the Arab community in Detroit. The result is an American-made timepiece with unmistakable charm and eastern-inspired good looks.
A large 45mm polished stainless case sets off a royal blue dial with applied eastern-Arabic numerals to mark the hours. The small seconds complication at the 6 also features these numerals, as does the date window at the 3. And a fluted, pumpkin-style crown reminiscent of pilot’s watches adds flair without detracting from the understated elegance of this watch.
To me, the result is simply gorgeous, and the generous proportions work especially well for larger men and thicker wrists that can balance this watch’s large case size.
Shinola equips the Habibi Edition with the Swiss-made Sellita SW260-1, a reliable and accurate workhorse that ticks away relentlessly, making it ideal for daily wear. Capable of real-world accuracy in the range of ±12 to ±30 seconds per day, the SW260-1 is easy to service and as hassle free as they come.
I can’t get enough of this Shinola, and if you feel the same way, be willing to spend $2,800 for an example of this limited-edition watch.
Paul Rich Star Dust II Shadow Oasis
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Paul Rich is known for dials made from aventurine, creating a deep black background bespecked with shimmeringly bright stars. And for enthusiasts and collectors seduced by eastern-Arabic dials, the Star Dust II Shadow Oasis is a daily wearer with more than its share of panache.
Black aventurine glass isn’t particularly easy to manufacture, and Paul Rich leans into the look it creates on the dial. To keep the design simple and legible, only “Swiss Movement” and the Paul Rich logo and signature decorate the dial, accompanied by simple, elegant hands and eastern-Arabic numerals to mark the hours. Paired with a polished stainless-steel case with an angular, geometric bezel, this Paul Rich is on point with current style.
Though sharing design cues with the likes of Audemars Piguet, Vacheron Constantin, Omega, and Jaeger-LeCoultre, Paul Rich isn’t challenging haute horologie or offering an homage to a much more expensive timepiece. Instead, it’s offering a watch that’s distinctive in its own right.
Powered by a Swiss Ronda 763 quartz movement, exceptional accuracy and the occasional battery change are what to expect from the Star Dust II Shadow Oasis.
Priced at just $349, this Paul Rich is intended as a show-stopping daily wearer.
Conclusion
Eastern-Arabic dials can be hard to find outside regional-specific boutiques and small runs. But if you know where to look, there are excellent options for collectors and casual wearers at virtually every price point.
Whether you’re shopping with a caviar budget or have more modest amounts to spend, one of these beautiful timepieces is sure to be perfect for you.
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