Question about the #4

[GBJIV]

Hi all. I have read in the past many postings especially where watches are for sale mentioning that "there is no number 4 in the serial number". I looked on line and read a bit about the number 4 in Chinese culture:

Four
Although the number 4 (四, Pinyin: sì) is considered unlucky by most Chinese (see Unlucky section for details), it is considered lucky in some local Chinese dialects where it is a homophone with the word "事" (Pinyin: shì） meaning job, business, or task. When the number 4 is encountered during a celebration, people would often remark "四四如意" (Pinyin: sì sì rú yì), which would also refer to "事事如意" (Pinyin: shì shì rú yì) meaning "Everything done as wished".

4 also sounds like the word 'thinking': 思 (Pinyin sī). 4 in solfège sounds like "fā (发)", meaning "get fortune"; 14 in solfège sounds like "dōu fā (都发)", and is also combined with 1 (meaning all, everyone) and 4, meaning "everyone gets fortunes".

My question is. How important is the number 4 in serial numbers? Here in the U.S. I know that 13 is often thought of as "unlucky" in fact, many hotels in large cities - Las Vegas for example don't even have a floor "13" that is it is skipped in the numbering on elevators etc... Also, three sixes is often considered unlucky.

With watches is it just a serial number or model number too? For example - if someone believed the number 4 was unlucky would they avoid the PAM 24 for example or other popular models with a 4? or is it just if you have a 4 in the serial number? Also, would you avoid buying a watch you really liked if it had a 4 in the serial number? Do you think it reduces resale value?

Thanks - just curious.

[niels74]

Quite interesting, I was not aware that the No4 was considered to be unlucky in any culture, however personally any 4 or 13 in a serial number would not stop me from buying the watch , but then the No4 in my culture is not considered unlucky the number 13 is however considered to be unlucky, however is more seen as a superstition but also this would not stop me from buying the watch as such.
If it would influence the pricing, perhaps indeed in the country where this is indeed considered a token off bad luck, however again it might be personal also.

But interesting point

[louie]

Jack, i posted this on my local Rolex forum the other day....and guess what afew days later,4444 came out lottery FIRST price!!!

http://sg-roc.com/showthread.php?t=17494

[GBJIV]

Hi louie, thanks very much - interesting - you had almost the same question...

Louie, would you buy PAM 24?

[louie]

Originally Posted by GBJIV

Hi louie, thanks very much - interesting - you had almost the same question...

Louie, would you buy PAM 24?

oic now,Jack you wanna buy the 24 huh. I'm not so concern of the model nos. But i'm pretty particular with BB/movement/millesimation numbers. cos it is worn on my wrist. Many chinese including myself don't like the number 4,cos it pronounce dead in chinese to us.



Jack, you also particular with number 4 too..?

[hflee55]

the "4" is a no-no to us chinese. Buildings/condominiums in Malaysia lacks the 4th floor, they're know as 3A. No chinese would want the no. 4 in their car no. plates or their house no. (if it can be helped). We're so particular (or me only...) that my phone no.s must not have 4.

[louie]

Originally Posted by hflee55

the "4" is a no-no to us chinese. Buildings/condominiums in Malaysia lacks the 4th floor, they're know as 3A. No chinese would want the no. 4 in their car no. plates or their house no. (if it can be helped). We're so particular (or me only...) that my phone no.s must not have 4.

so i'm not alone...

[brainbizz]

My 270 is 666 which I just read upside down 999. I am not superstitous but
do not wear it much.

[louie]

Originally Posted by brainbizz

My 270 is 666 which I just read upside down 999. I am not superstitous but
do not wear it much.

brainbizz,this is very cool numbers!! We luv this numbers 666 or 999...And 3 of the same number,sure a winner if we playing cards..

[GBJIV]

Thanks all for the info. I am not superstitious about numbers. I don't look for "unlucky" numbers - I do like numbers though. 33,77,88 - have meaning to me. so, I like my 233,177 and my 88 for those reasons...

I do like the 24 too - and want to pick up a PAM Sub. Just curious about the number 4 as it comes up quite a bit on the boards.

I would not even worry about 666 brainbizz! Especially on a watch as cool as the 270.

Thanks all!

[GBJIV]

Originally Posted by louie

oic now,Jack you wanna buy the 24 huh. I'm not so concern of the model nos. But i'm pretty particular with BB/movement/millesimation numbers. cos it is worn on my wrist. Many chinese including myself don't like the number 4,cos it pronounce dead in chinese to us.



Jack, you also particular with number 4 too..?

Originally Posted by hflee55

the "4" is a no-no to us chinese. Buildings/condominiums in Malaysia lacks the 4th floor, they're know as 3A. No chinese would want the no. 4 in their car no. plates or their house no. (if it can be helped). We're so particular (or me only...) that my phone no.s must not have 4.

Originally Posted by louie

so i'm not alone...

Originally Posted by brainbizz

My 270 is 666 which I just read upside down 999. I am not superstitous but
do not wear it much.

Just think... 666 and there is no 4 lol

[mfer]

When you say Chinese, you need to specify between Mandarin and Cantonese. Hong Kong is Cantonese. The numbers are pronounced very much differently and that is part of the reason why they are lucky or unlucky.

Almost all words in Cantonese have 6 (yes six) tones.
The tones are:
1 - high level
2 - high rising
3 - middle level
4 - low falling
5 - low rising
6 - low level

Basically Cantonese people "sing" their sentences.

The number 4 is pronounced - sei^3. The 3 indicates middle level

The word "dead" is pronounced - sei^2. See how similar they are.

[VazLube]

mine has perfect sequence: 1234!

[TswaneNguni]

Intersting thread.

As for myself,I am not superstitious at all.
My society/culture isnt really superstitious,except perhaps for 13 and Friday the 13th.

[GBJIV]

Originally Posted by mfer

When you say Chinese, you need to specify between Mandarin and Cantonese. Hong Kong is Cantonese. The numbers are pronounced very much differently and that is part of the reason why they are lucky or unlucky.

Almost all words in Cantonese have 6 (yes six) tones.
The tones are:
1 - high level
2 - high rising
3 - middle level
4 - low falling
5 - low rising
6 - low level

Basically Cantonese people "sing" their sentences.

The number 4 is pronounced - sei^3. The 3 indicates middle level

The word "dead" is pronounced - sei^2. See how similar they are.

Very interesting Mik. Thanks for the info. Amazing how much there is in this world to learn...

[Launch Mini]

My poor brother in law & his wife ( she is Chinese), their daughter was born April 4th ( 4/4/08). She was not inpressed with the date.

[GBJIV]

Originally Posted by Launch Mini

My poor brother in law & his wife ( she is Chinese), their daughter was born April 4th ( 4/4/08). She was not inpressed with the date.

Hopefully, she is the luckiest person you ever know!!!!

[Trurolexer]

What are you Guys talking about?

[100thmonkey]

So any chinese with a PAM 24......just call me Ill buy it!! Ideally with 444 in the serial number