IIII or IV?
Most clocks write four as IIII rather than IV. It balances the heavy VIII on the other side of the dial and follows a tradition older than the modern rule, though famous clocks such as Big Ben use IV. Both are correct on a clock face. Read why clocks use IIII.
Clock face tattoo ideas
Clock face tattoos usually record a moment: the time a child was born, a wedding, or the time a loved one passed. Common touches include:
- Hands set to a birth time, with the birth date in Roman numerals below the centre.
- Only XII, III, VI and IX for a cleaner, more modern dial.
- A double rim and minute marks for a pocket-watch look.
- No hands, as a frame around a portrait or another design.
A clock face can't show am or pm, so 2:30 in the afternoon looks the same as 2:30 at night. If that matters, add the date, or ask your artist about a small sun or moon. For more ideas, see the date tattoo guide.