Indices
Indices are the hour markers on a dial: the points you read the hands against to tell the time. They can be printed directly onto the dial or applied as separate pieces that sit slightly proud. Common styles are baton, Arabic numerals and Roman numerals, and each affects legibility.
At a glance
- Also called
- Hour markers, indexes
- Construction
- Printed or applied
- Common styles
- Baton, Arabic, Roman
Indices set the language of the dial: your eye always places the hands against a marker, so the shape and construction of those markers decide how quickly you read the time. There are two basic distinctions, one of construction and one of style.
Printed or applied
Printed indices are painted straight onto the dial surface; they are flat, thin and keep the cost down. Applied indices (applied markers) are separate metal pieces fixed onto the dial, and because they sit slightly proud they catch the light and add depth. They are often topped with lume so you can read the time at night.
Styles and legibility
The choice of style sets both character and pace:
- Baton: plain bars, the fastest to read
- Arabic numerals: the number stated outright, clear and direct
- Roman numerals: a classic look that reads a touch slower
For examples of dial finishing in practice, have a read of our guide to the best Japanese watches.
Examples
The Orient Bambino is a clean example of a classic layout, with applied baton indices that catch a soft glint in the light.
View this watchThe Seiko 5 Sports shows the everyday approach that puts legibility first, with bold markers carrying lume.
View this watch
Comparison
Printed and applied indices do the same job in different ways.
| Option A | Option B | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Printed index | Applied index | A printed index is flat on the dial surface, thin and keeps the cost down; an applied index is a separate metal piece that stands slightly proud, adding depth and a glint in the light, but it pushes the cost up. |
Related terms
Watches that show this
Frequently asked questions
What are indices on a watch?
Indices are the hour markers on a dial that you read the hands against to tell the time. They can take the form of plain bars, Arabic numerals or Roman numerals, and they may be printed straight onto the dial or applied as separate pieces.
What is the difference between printed and applied indices?
A printed index is painted directly onto the dial surface, so it sits flat and thin and keeps the cost down. An applied index is a separate metal piece fixed to the dial; it stands slightly proud and adds depth and a glint in the light, which usually pushes the cost up.
Which index style is easiest to read?
Baton bars and Arabic numerals are usually the fastest to read, because the eye takes in the position at a glance. Roman numerals add a classic look but read a touch slower. Contrast between the index and the dial base matters as much as the style itself.