A watch is the perfect fashion accessory. Not only because of the function, but watches are also used for everyday style. Watches are the most worn accessories, whether it’s the latest state-of-the-art smartwatch or a classic vintage watch. The debate of what hand you should wear your watch on has been ever-present. But is there a right or wrong wrist to wear your watch on? Is the left hand considered to be right? Or can you wear your watch on whatever hand you prefer? Time to settle the issue once and for all! We answer the question: ‘What hand do you wear a watch on?’
What hand do you wear a watch?
Time for a history lesson! The wristwatch was introduced to the world at the beginning of the twentieth century. These were mechanical watches that had to be wound by hand. The winding button, the crown, was always on the right side of a watch. Up until the sixties of the last century, being left-handed was seen as sinister and it was inappropriate for lefties to write with their left hand. They had to write with their right hand, even if that meant developing poor handwriting. Since being left-handed was not accepted, everyone (including the lefties) had to be able to wind their watch with their right hand. Needless to say that everyone wore their watch on their left hand.
Another reason why the etiquette of that time prescribed that you had to wear your watch on your left hand, was because everyone worked with their right hand. If you wore your watch on your right hand, your watch was likely to get damaged.
After the 60s, being left-handed ceased to be a real problem for people, and instead become something that could be celebrated. The first quartz watches hit the market and winding your watch to know the right time became part of history. Slowly people started to accept lefties wearing their watches on their right hands.
Today, no matter whether you’re right or left-handed, you don’t have to follow the stereotype of wearing your watch on the left hand. Just do what feels good for you. We do recommend that you wear your watch on your non-dominant hand though. Your dominant hand is the hand that you use for writing. Are you right-handed? Then it’s probably more comfortable to wear your watch on your left wrist. You may prefer to wear your watch on your right wrist if you’re a leftie. That way, your watch is not in the way if you have to write something and it’s easier to check the time.
How tightly should you wear your watch?
Regardless of what hand you choose to wear your watch on, you may have some ideas of what watch suits you best. But how tightly should you wear your watch? Whether you wear a hybrid, classic timepiece or smartwatch, you can’t go wrong if you follow these rules.
- Don’t wear your watch too low or too high. Wearing your watch too low just looks sloppy. A watch that’s too high up your arm looks a bit odd. The best way to wear your watch is just above the bone of your wrist.
- Don’t wear your watch too tight or too loose. A watch that’s too loose will slide back and forth. A watch that’s too tight is very uncomfortable. Can you move your watch back and forth two centimetres? That’s perfect! Please note: the watch should not slide up and down by itself!
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