The term “Eastern Arabic” numerals is a bit of a misnomer and very Eurocentric. It refers to the numerical digits used in association with modern Arabic script, as opposed to “Arabic” numerals used in European languages. Both are derived from Persian, but the latter is far younger.
Orient, a Japanese company owned by the Seiko Epson Corporation, sorted out this historical inconsistency with the new Bambino Version II Arabic Index. This collection uses “Eastern Arabic” hour markers for the first time on an Orient dial, following a recent trend in the collector-fueled luxury watch market.
As the name suggests, the new Bambino Version II Arabic Index is an update to the second generation of Orient’s flagship collection. It’s a fitting choice (from my history nerd perspective) because the original version features Roman numeral hour markers.
During the Middle Ages, Europeans gradually phased out Roman numerals in favor of an adapted form of Persian numerals, which are closely related to modern Eastern Arabic numerals. Why? Because the digits make complex math far easier to notate.
Historical parallels aside, the Bambino Version II’s 41mm polished steel case, slim dauphine hands and domed mineral crystal are unchanged. The dial has the same Orient coat of arms below 12:00 and script “Water Resistant” indication printed above 6:00 (despite only 30m water resistance).
Along with the new numeral set, the Arabic Index model also does away with the ruler-style 60-second track. However, the dash 60-minute track encircling the dial remains intact.
