Different Types of Watch Indices You Should Check Out

When it comes to buying a watch, the watch indices are often overlooked. Many people will go for other features such as size, material, brand, and movement type (automatic or quartz) but ignore indices.

Watch indices are one of the perfect ways to find the right fit for your style. However, many people just don’t know how to utilize them properly.

This blog is about all the types of watch indices on the market. We’ll cover each index type, from simple to more complex designs, so you know which one suits you the best.

What are watch indices?

Watch indices are plural of watch index a part of an analog watch (know more about other parts of a pocket watch). They are a group of numerals or symbols that indicate time. They can only be found on analog watches. You should not confuse watch index numerals and the digital numeric display.

Digital watches’ numeric display shows the time like a stopwatch or computer screen. Analog clock numeric indices are fixed on the clock and cannot change their shape or form.

How are watch indices made?

As mentioned earlier, watch indices are numerals or symbols. Indices are made of various materials and styles. One watch index indicates one hour or five minutes span. Some watches may have only four indices which indicate 3 hours or 15 minutes span.

Now coming to how they are made, they are basically printed by a laser printer or such machine using ink stamps. But in high-end automatic watches, qualified artisans painstakingly paint these indices by hand.

Different types of watch index styles

Here are the types of watch indices on the market:

1. Arabic Numerals

The Arabic Numerals are the most popular type of indices on many watches today. They use numbers from 1 to 12 in Arabic numerals and letters that can be used to represent numbers.

Arabic numerals are used in all types of watches. From sports to quartz or analog watches, you’ll find these indices. They are also not clasp-specific. So, they can also be found on watches with different types of watch clasps too.

2. Arrow Maker

These are the most basic and often used by Rolex watches. As the name suggests, they have an arrow at the noon mark. The noon arrow points towards the center.

A few manufacturers might also use arrows on the 3, 6, and 9 marks. The majority use the arrow on the 12 o’clock position and other numerals for the rest of the hours.

3. Baton Indexes

Baton indices are thick and rectangular. They look like a stick and are used to mark every hour. The index is broader for each half-hour, so you can tell when a new hour starts and when it’s half.

The best thing about these watches is that they are luminous. Hence, you can easily tell the time at night. They’re great for camping or going on a night trip since they’ll let you know the time, even with zero visibility.

4. Breguet Numerals

These indices are similar to Arabic numeral indexes. However, they have different font types. They were invented by the famous French watchmaker Abraham L. Breguet. Decades ago, every manufacturer was using this type of index on their wristwatches and wall clocks.

Today, they are not popular. However, they can be found on many types of watches, including dive watches, sports watches, and dress watches. They can also be found on more expensive watches.

5. Dagger Indexes

Other indices used in different types of watch dials are the Dagger indexes. Just as their name suggests, these markings are shaped like a dagger. Their sharp edges face the clock’s center.

The advantage of this type of index is that it can be used to mark every hour on a clock face, making it easier for you to keep track of time.

6. Diamond Markers

These indices are one of the most beautiful and expensive of all wristwatch indices. These markers are made from diamonds, which are cut into tiny stones. They are placed to mark each hour or a quarter of an hour. The diamonds give light to the indexes and make them sparkle.

These types of markers are often used to make watches beautiful and glowy. Hence, they are common in ladies’ wristwatches. However, a few manufacturers incorporate them in men’s styles.

7. Roman Numerals

Up next are the Roman Numeral indices, which are coined from the ancient Latin Alphabet. They have markings on each hour. Other manufacturers might have markings for 3, 6, 9, and 12 to avoid clattering.

Roman numeral watches are less common today compared to the last century.

8. Round Indexes

As the name suggests, round indexed watches have round shapes to mark each hour. Some manufacturers might combine this style with a baton or any other indices.

Round indexes make it easy for manufacturers to add luminous materials to watches. Such watches can be used in any visibility conditions.

9. Stick Indexes

These indices are named after their shape. They are long and thin, just like sticks. They are similar to batons; however, they are much thinner. They also don’t have a luminous material added to their dials.

A few manufacturers try to add this visibility property to their watches. Stick indices are used in dress watches as they are sophisticated, minimal, and sleek.

10. Square Indexes

These indices have a square shape, as the name suggests. They mark each hour and can be located in some watches at 3, 6, 9, and 12 positions.

Most manufacturers will add luminous materials in their square shape for visibility in every condition.

11. Tombstone Marker

Last but not least, we have tombstones. These indices look like tombstones, marking the noon position of your wristwatch.

Some models can mark the hour positions or 3, 6, 9, and 12 positions.

Conclusion

Now that we’ve covered all the types of watch indices on the market, it’s time for you to pick one. Ultimately, it’s up to you to decide which type of index is right for you.

If you want something more complicated than a simple watch face, choose complex indices like the diamond or Roman numerals. But if you want something that will let you know the time with one glance, go for a simple index like the Arabic numerals. Whatever your needs are, it’s essential to consider them before deciding what kind of watch index is best for you.