If you’re someone who likes to wear a watch, you may often wonder which wrist it should be on. There are pros and cons for each side of the body, so it is important to know both before deciding.
On the left hand, there is less chance of bumping into things or bumping into someone else accidentally with your watch arm. However, if you are right-handed most likely, your left arm will never get used during daily activities because it will be hanging at your side most of the time. A watch on the left wrist is also more noticeable, due to the fact that your pocket will be facing outwards. To make matters worse, some people may think you are exposing valuable or valuable information to others by displaying it on your wrist.
Now, let’s take a look at the right hand side of things. A watch on the right arm can very easily become loose over time without even realizing it. Something as simple as manipulating the buttons on your phone can inadvertently cause it to fall off of your hand. This is less of a problem with left-handed people.
People who have a large wrist should also watch for this right-wrist watch. Your watch can easily look out of place and could break the flow of the rest of your outfit. It should also be noted that a watch on the right wrist can be quite painful because you will have to twist your arm to see it from time to time, so unless you do not mind the pain, a watch on the right hand is a no-no.
So which hand should you wear your watch on? It is up to you, and since this has become quite popular lately it might be worth giving it a tryout.
We often say that wearing our watches on the left or right hand doesn’t matter. Though, we sometimes switch based on the circumstances of the day. There are several advantages and disadvantages to both wrists.
For Watch Aficionados Only – Brief History of Modern Man’s Wristwatches
Did you know? 100 years ago, only women used wristwatches as timekeeping tools and to adorn their wrists with. Pocket watches were the man’s choice. Everything was meant to change before the start of WW1. Army leaders decided to equip their soldiers with timekeeping tools in order to coordinate attacks, retreats, or other military strategies.
Pocket watches didn’t fit in much for two reasons. First, a pocket watch can easily fall out of the pocket. And second, valuable seconds are wasted to open your pocket watch and read the time. Not to mention that a soldier’s hands were already busy carrying a rifle. Imagine being in the middle of the battleground, an air attack is set to start at sunrise and you have less than a minute to plan your infantry’s retreat.
In short, the first man’s wristwatches, field watches, were more convenient at that time.
And here we are, 100 years later, still asking the same question: In which hand should I wear my watch? Left or right wrist?
On which hand should I wear my watch?
As a rule of thumb, feel free to wear your watch on your non-dominant hand. So, if you are right-handed, your non-dominant hand is your left. And vice versa! If you are left-handed, your non-dominant hand is your right. Evidently, right-handed people should wear their watches on the left wrist and left-handed people should wear their watches on the right wrist. Your dominant hand is the more dexterous one. While you’re doing most of the actions with it, you can easily keep track of time with the watch on your non-dominant hand.
What about women? In which hand should women wear their watches?
According to Google, this is one of the most frequently asked questions about wristwatch etiquette. The answer is that there are no special rules about women and the wrist they should wear their watch on. As aforementioned, feel free to wear your watch on your non-dominant hand. Lefties can wear their watch on the right hand and vice versa. Right-handed women in particular and people, in general, can wear their watch on the left hand.
Why should you wear your watch on the left wrist?
So it is settled. No one wants to dump their beer on their shirt while checking the time. Or accidentally scratch the watch while trying to grab a pair of shoes from the shelf. Let then try to adjust the time using the crown. It would be impossible.
According to the studies, only 10% of the population is left-handed. As aforementioned, lefties make an exception in the wristwatch etiquette as they get to wear the watch on the right hand (the non-dominant wrist). As for the rest of us 90%, the less special people, we can enjoy wearing our watches on the left hand. The reason is simple. By nature, the left hand is used with less work and its reflections are in some way, under-developed when compared with the right hand.
Quick Tip – Look at the Watch Crown
To properly wear a watch, first, you have to make sure it is being worn in the left hand. After, keep in mind that the crown (the small round knob used to adjust time or wind the internal spring) should always be pointing towards your fingers. Because many people prefer to wear their watch in the left hand, watchmakers make sure that their watches conform to this unwritten rule.
Luckily, for all you left-handers, there are options…
Left-handed Watches
Nowadays, you will find various stores made entirely for left-handed people. From notebooks to scissors and everything in between, hard that you will find a domestic product not made for lefties. And watches for southpaws make no exception. Also known as destro watches, (“destro” Italian for right) these particular watches are intended to be worn by left-handed people on the right wrist. Yes, the world of watches has something to offer to everyone and also major watch brands like Rolex, Tudor, Zenith, etc. manufacture left-handed watches.
…And if you think you got it all figured out now, take a look at these celebrities crashing the wristwatch etiquette into pieces…
Double Wristing Mania – Why you shouldn’t take wrist etiquette too seriously
The double wristing trend has existed for a long time now and is still being perpetuated by modern fashion. Although considered excessive or gaudy, wearing two watches is a trend that dates back to 1963, when Fidel Castro (Cuban revolutionary and politician) on a trip in Russia in 1963, was spotted wearing two Rolex watches on one wrist. The historical Cuban leader kept the two Rolexes for functional purposes. One Rolex, GMT, and the other, a Submariner. In total, Castro had a three-time zone overview by a glance on the wrist. (During the time the picture was taken, Rolex was simply considered as one of the most accurate watches of their time, and not the status symbol it is today).
As time moves forward, double-wristing is still a strange taboo-esque style and a bold statement that many everyday folks find difficult to digest. But, whatever you do, don’t be this guy…
Wristwatch etiquette – How to properly wear watches?
In addition to wearing your watch in the correct hand, there are other factors that indicate how to properly wear a watch. Follow this simple guideline and you will always wear your wrist with style.
Match your watch to the clothes
In most cases, not to say always, the formality of the watch you should wear is dictated by the formality of the event. Unless you want to grab some attention or make a statement, make sure your watch matches the occasion. For example, dress watches fit best with formal or semi-formal attire. Sports watches are particularly made to be worn with a sports costume or casual attire. If you’re further invested in how you should match your watch to your clothes, check out this article.
Make sure the watch fits perfectly
The last thing you want is your watch to not be sitting comfortably on your wrist. The watch might be too loose or too tight. Either way, not finding your correct band and case size, will also dictate a style-wise mistake. See, unless your watch is a family heirloom, it would not be considered a smart move to wear a watch with a 35mm case diameter on a large wrist. Current trends in the watch industry are focused on larger case diameters for men while ladies can enjoy smaller case watches perfectly adorning their wrists.
Fun Fact: The incorrect band size in an Apple watch can compromise the functionality of the watch’s heart rate sensor and the accuracy of other significant features.
