How Does This Work?

[Linotype]

Here's one for the clever people to consider ... seems I've been wrong all these years into thinking I knew basic Roman numerals(!) For close on three score years and ten I've been led to believe that in RN the figure four was represented by IV (One before V) ... clearly not the case ... take a look at your watch (if it in Roman nums – or take a look at one the next time you walk past a jeweller's watch. You will see in the 'four' position four x IIII. Go figure ... it's true!

[pixie373]

Looks like we were all right-

http://petapixel.com/2013/06/27/why-photographs-of-watches-and-clocks-show-the-time-1010/

Sorry, lino

[stuey]

I wonder what will follow WWIII: WWIIII, or WWIV?:)

[Jackdaw33]

IV and IIII are not the only alternative forms. Often nine was written as VIIII (additive form) instead of IX (subtractive form). Admiralty Arch in London has the date 1910 as MDCCCCX, instead of the more usual MCMX.

[stuey]

Yes, the rules of usage for Roman numerals are not etched in stone, metal, or even Celluloid.

[Peter Pedant]

I can corroborate the Louis Legend
I was hoping to learn the number - lots to choose from

[stuey]

Peter, how on Earth can you corroborate a legend?:)

[DaisyNonna]

Carriage clock has 1111 (bargain at £4.50 from Oxfam)

[stuey]

DaisyNonna, is that mechanical or quartz?

[DaisyNonna]

Sorry stuey, very common battery operated. Just looks the part.

[stuey]

You're right, a lot of those are quite attractive, and they certainly serve their purpose.

[DaisyNonna]

I do have my grandparents' mantel clock. Westminster chimes. Saving up to get it repaired. Sentimental value only!

[stuey]

Can you post a picture of it and maybe the movement?

[Jackdaw33]

I remember when I was small, my mother bought a cuckoo clock. It had two weights on chains, one of which regulated the clock and the other the cuckoo. After two days my father removed the weight to disable the cuckoo, saying,"...otherwise I'l kill that bloody bird!"

[DaisyNonna]

Er, don't know how. Blushing with embarrassment.

[stuey]

JD, they can be harshly annoying, especially when compared to the sonorous mellow tones of a Westminster chime.

[Peter Pedant]

this one goes backwards !


http://www.chesterchronicle.co.uk/news/chester-cheshire-news/comic-relief-day-calamity-chesters-8831848

its a painting and they got it the wrong way round

[stuey]

Well, DN, could you post any details that are on the dial and the back of the movement (the "works"): names, numbers, symbols, etc.?

[stuey]

Interesting, PP. Clocks were made like that, and maybe still are. They were called "barber's clocks" and were placed in the shop so that the customer in the chair could just glance in the mirror and tell the time.

[joko]

yes the smile is advertising psychology, as it mirrors a smile and therefore is supposed to subconsciously make you happier - which you attribute to the product

interesting fact - a well known phone company now always had 10.8 on its phone screens - but on digital clock screens! ... so no smile, just the numbers.
I suppose the designer had learned somewhere that you had to use 10.08 on clock faces, but didnt actually understand why