Roman Numerals by Rolex, Why is it IIII?

I’ve been wondering about something that seems minor but has always intrigued me: Why does Rolex use “IIII” instead of “IV” for the Roman numeral 4 on their dials?

I’ve noticed this on models like the Day-Date and Wimbledon, and it seems to be a deliberate design choice. Why would Rolex, with their reputation for precision and meticulous attention to detail, opt for this variation?

Is it about symmetry on the dial? A nod to tradition? Or maybe something else entirely?

I’d love to hear what you all think or know about this! Rolex doesn’t seem to do anything by accident, so I’m sure there’s some logic behind it.

Looking forward to your insights and theories.

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