A counter for measuring apparatus such as a water meter or the like includes a first number wheel for a low decade; a drive shaft for driving the first number wheel; an additional number wheel for values of a lowest decade; a clutch coupling for coupling the additional number wheel to the drive shaft; and, a cam mechanism for aligning the number wheels. The cam mechanism includes a rotatable cam shaft for actuating a first pawl for engaging an alignment star of the first number wheel and an additional pawl for engaging an alignment star of the additional number wheel. The cam shaft is configured so as to first cause the additional pawl to engage the alignment star of the additional number wheel, and then, to cause the first pawl to engage the alignment star of the first number wheel when the cam shaft is rotated.