Which Hand Do You Actually Wear a Watch? (Right or Left?)

So, which team are you on? Left-hand or right-hand team? For the majority of people, which hand to wear a watch isn’t something to be concerned about. As long as it can sit comfortably regardless of which wrist is best, anything would be just good. But for ones who pay attention to certain unwritten rules of fashion etiquette, the left or right wrist does matter either for strapping the look or the practicality.

Which hand should I wear a watch?

Although there is no standard rule, you might want to read this article for a new perspective of why some people pay attention to this matter. As a rule of thumb, most people wear a watch on their non-dominant hands. On the left hand for a right-handed person and right hand for lefties. The reason is simple, people don’t want to mess up between the watch they wear and the things they do.

The dominant hand is the one we use to perform most actions in daily activities, be it writing, holding a glass, or eating.  So, you might not want to spill your juice when you unconsciously twist your wrist to check the time. No one wants to worsen their day with spilled juice on their shirt. 

Wearing a watch on a non-dominant hand would free you up to tell time while you are doing another thing with the dominant hands, such as writing. For example, you are a right-handed person and have a watch with especially a large one on your right wrist. It’s unavoidable that you’ll feel quite uncomfortable if you are writing using that hand — that would be harder for you too to perform that activity. So, if you are a right-handed person, wearing a watch on your left hand would be a good option and vice versa.

In addition to that, wearing a watch at the opposition of the dominant hand could protect the watch. During the time you use your dominant hand in daily activities, there is likely the watch gets bumped, jolted, or even scratched. Therefore, keeping it on a non-dominant hand would make it safe from damages.  

However, it’s still not exactly a rule to wear a watch only on a non-dominant wrist. The choice will always be yours as the wearer. The matter of which hand you should wear a watch might seem as simple as just slapping it on your wrist. But, it turned out that some functionality and practicality are also things to consider. So, it’s not only about which hand you should wear a watch but also how it makes you feel comfortable.

Practical things to consider

The biggest concern of why you need to wear a watch on a non-dominant hand is the practicality to operate the crown. Look at your watch crown and where it is placed. Most of them are put at the 3 o’clock position because most people (90%) in the world are right-handed, which means at the right side of a watch. So, it would be difficult to operate the crown if you wear it on the right hand. Not to mention the small size of the watch crown that needs another effort.

Further, the crown is meant to be easily gripped and operated. Therefore, determining where the crown is located first would help to decide which hand you should wear a watch. If the crown is at 9 o’clock then it’s the opposite which is the right hand. Otherwise, you’ll need a lot of effort to operate it and it’s a total pain to just adjust the time. So, time setting will be much easier if wearing a watch in accordance with the watch crown’s position. Besides, the watchmaker may have a specific picture in mind while designing it on where the wearer should wear the watch.

On top of it all, nowadays watchmakers also make watches specifically for left-handed people. For instance, Dievas has developed left-handed model watches with the crown located at the left side of the watch case. Left-handed watches are also known as “Destro watches”. So, you don’t need to worry as the world of watches wouldn’t leave you behind to taste the art of horology.

Final thoughts

With all of that being said, still, the matter of which hand to wear a watch is a personal preference. There are some considerations to pay attention to, such as practicality functions. But above all, you could wear your watch on whichever wrist you prefer as long as it is well-strapped on you. While wearing a watch on the right wrist is rare, the left wrist is familiarly known as the “officially correct” wrist. 

The fact that most people are right-handed is the reason behind it. As we’ve known that the majority’s preferences are what eventually become the norm. So, it’s easy to understand why some people say that we should wear a watch on the left wrist. Even more, sometimes a certain group of watch enthusiasts wears a watch on both of their wrists. See, it’s all a matter of individual preference. 

Some people might also ask, “what side do men wear watches?” and “what hand do women wear watches?”. But, this matter is so far away about man or woman. Both of them could wear a watch however they like it. Some differences might have happened in the past when watches were still considered as women’s things. But, it’s changed and watches can be everyone’s favorite now.

Not all style rules are created equal.

Take watches – if you’re into them, you’ve heard that certain types of watches go with certain types of clothes.

And that’s true…usually. But what about when it’s not?

Below are ten common bits of advice about wearing a watch that you can feel free to play with – or even outright ignore.

One rule I’m breaking right now? Wearing a G-SHOCK with a suit. Check out the video below to see how beautiful it looks. G-SHOCK is today’s sponsor and they’ve surpassed themselves with the G-SHOCK MTGB1000-1A – this watch displays accurate time anywhere in the world using Bluetooth or radio waves.

Bluetooth connects it to the G-SHOCK smartphone app, which gives you dual dial world time – two time zones at a glance, great when you’re traveling or have family or colleagues abroad. You can even use your watch to find your phone! Click here to see the full awesome range of G-SHOCK watches.

Without further ado, I've got 10 watch rules every gentleman should follow.

Watch Rule 1. Wear Your Watch On The Non-Dominant Hand

The idea here is pretty simple: if you're right-handed you wear your watch on the left hand and vice versa.

The trouble here is that since most people are right-handed, the hardware on watches tends to be placed with wear on the left hand in mind – so if you follow this rule strictly as a lefty, the pushers or crown of the watch could start to get in your way.

At the end of the day, you should wear your watch where it’s most comfortable and functional for you. That will depend on the particular design you’re wearing as well as plain old individual preference.

Watch Rule 2. No Bling Watches

Understated style is often the most timeless style, so it’s tempting to act like this is a hard and fast rule. Fact is, though, an outfit that’s sober and traditional from head to toe leaves little room for personal expression.

If a flashy watch is where you want to flaunt your unique taste, and you have the confidence to pull it off, go for it. Yes, they’re functional, but nowadays especially, they’re also jewelry.

Watch Rule 3. Match Watches To Clothes

This infographic has recommendations on how to choose a watch for every level of formality. But these are guidelines. You CAN bend them if you do it for the right reasons.

It’s traditional not to wear a watch with black tie dress, for instance. But if you have an heirloom watch that means something to you and it’s dressy enough to pair with a suit, you might decide to wear it to a wedding or a gala anyhow.

At the end of the day, it's important to know how to match your watch with your outfit but remember the rules serve you – you don’t serve them.

Watch Rule 4. Don’t Wear A Watch That’s Too Tight Or Too Loose

Okay, so there’s no real reason to break or even bend this rule. Wearing a watch too loose isn’t good for it – you’re more likely to break the band and bang up the mechanisms. And wearing it too tight just hurts your wrist.

Watch Rule 5. Don’t Check Your Watch When Speaking With Someone

Checking your watch is a lot less obvious than checking your phone, but it’s still pretty rude. It sends a message that you need to be somewhere else or that you’re bored. You may as well yawn in their face.

Knowing how to be a modern gentleman is about controlling the signals you send to the world. That’s one signal most people don’t control.

Watch Rule 6. Don't Touch Another Man's Watch

Actually, you can go ahead and break this one… IF he gives you permission. Some guys will just take off their $100,000 watches and hand them to you to hold… it's a little rude to refuse under those circumstances!

Just don't touch without consent. (This is a good life rule!)

Watch Rule 7. Match Metals And Match Leathers

This rule refers to the leather band on your watch matching your belt and your shoes, and the metal matching any other pieces of jewelry, buckles, and so on.

Again, this is a base guideline. It looks good, it's a good place to start – but if you wear a gold wedding ring and you want a steel watch, or a gold/steel blend, you don't have to follow that rule.

Likewise, if you've got a dark brown leather, you could wear black with it.

The key is to understand the rule and to break it by choice, rather than by accident.

Watch Rule 8. Wear Dark With Dark, Wear Light With Light

This rule refers to the dial color – it means you should pair a dark dial with a dark outfit and a light dial with a light outfit. This is NOT a rule that you have to follow.

Sure, coordinate your watches with your outfits if you want to. But don't worry if you like that white dial with your navy shirt.

Watch Rule 9. Rule Of Proportions – Watch Case Size

The rule of proportions dictates that a man with a smaller wrist should wear a watch with a smaller case. If you have larger wrists you can go for a larger watch case.

In general, this is a good rule, but you can bend and break it. Some watch brands have huge cases but look great on smaller wrists.

It really comes down to the placement of the lugs and the overall design. The key is that if you find a brand that suits you, you can break this rule.

Watch Rule 10. Don't Wear The Same Watch Every Day

Once you start getting obsessed with watches, all of a sudden you start collecting them.

Watches are like chips – it's hard to stop at just one. 

This is not so much a rule as a fact of life. If you're just getting into watches, be warned… it's probably going to happen to you too.

So here's the rundown on these rules: should you obey them?

1. Wear Your Watch On the Non-Dominant Hand – MAYBE
2. No Bling Watches – MAYBE
3. Know How To Wear A Watch That Matches Your Outfit – MAYBE
4. Don’t Wear A Watch That’s Too Tight Or Too Loose – YES
5. Don’t Check Your Watch When Speaking With Someone – YES
6. Don't Touch Another Man's Watch
7. Match Metals And Match Leathers – MAYBE
8. Wear Dark With Dark, Wear Light With Light – NO
9. Rule Of Proportions – Watch Case Size – MAYBE
10. Don't Wear The Same Watch Every Day – Can you resist?

Whether you collect G-SHOCKs or this is your first, the G-SHOCK MTGB1000-1A coul

Click Below To Watch The Video – How To Wear Two (Or More!) Watches At The Same Time!

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