Roman numerals are mostly reserved these days for movie sequels and Super Bowls, but they can still add a hint of elegant classicism to a watch dial, as in the five timepieces we showcase here.

BLANCPAIN VILLERET ULTRAPLATE

Blancpain?s Villeret series, named for the Swiss village where the manufacture was founded in 1735, is distinguished by classical design elements of earlier eras. The three-hand-date version of the Ultraplate embodies this historically inspired aesthetic with its double-stepped bezel; hollowed-out, sage-leaf-shaped hands; central seconds hand with ?JB? counterweight (evoking the initials of founder Jean-Jacques Blancpain); and applied Roman numerals at each hour position on the blue sunray dial. Its 40-mm, 18K rose-gold case is just 8.7 mm thick and its sapphire caeeback affords a view of the movement, Blancpain?s self-winding Caliber 1151, whose notable features include two series-coupled barrels, storing an impressive 100-hour power reserve, and an engraved gold rotor with a honeycomb motif. Price: $19,400 on leather strap, $38,900 on Milanese-style gold bracelet
Blancpain Villeret Ultraplate 6651-3640-MMB – bracelet

BREGUET MARINE 5517

Combining a sporty aesthetic with Breguet?s legendary luxurious detailing, the gold-cased models from the maison?s maritime-inspired Marine collection are mounted on bracelets that have been designed to continue the smooth lines of the case and caress the curves of the wrist. Like the cases, notable...