Righties vs. Lefties 👊🏼⌚️
Is there such a thing as wearing a watch on the “wrong” wrist?
Us watch people can be drawn into some very passionate discussions regarding seemingly mundane details about the hobby: a millimeter difference here or there, sapphire vs. mineral or hardlex, 60-click vs. 120-click bezels, low and loose vs. high and tight, micro-brands vs. big-industry icons, budget collection vs. saving for one grail, the list goes on. Some men just can’t live and let live.
Even with all of our quirky “rules” and lists of “do’s and dont’s,” what I don’t hear people talk about much is one’s preference for wearing a watch on their left or right wrist. It’s something that we know is dependent on each collector’s personal preference or hand-dominance, so it’s (almost) never discussed.
When you think about it though, aren’t all of our topics of discussion a matter of personal taste? If someone saves for ten years to buy one watch, should the self proclaimed “budget category connoisseur” belittle them for “wasting” time and money for just one watch? What if someone prefers the convenience and accuracy of quartz compared to even the best COSC certified chronometers? Or maybe they (sinfully) like wearing an G-Shock everyday, even to the office, rather than a dress watch? Again, matters of personal taste and opinion, but I digress.
Most watch enthusiasts, including myself, likely gave little forethought to the wrist they strapped their watch to this morning. It’s second nature by now: wake up, grab your favorite piece from the watch box or nightstand, put it on your (preferred) wrist, and go about your day. For many, I would venture to say that your wrist preference has to do with which hand is considered “dominant.” For myself, my right hand does most of the work throughout the day. Therefore, a watch on my right feels unnatural and I subconsciously place the watch on my left wrist. For some people, it’s the exact opposite: the dominant side also gets the watch, whether it’s the left or the right. But have you ever considered wearing it on the other side? Even more disorienting, have you ever tried it? 😱
I’ve also found that wrist shape and size also contributes to what one prefers. I’ve broken my left wrist 7 different times (I know, I needed to drink more milk as a kid 😂) and the healing processes have left that side notably weaker and about .5” smaller in circumference. Sure, it’s an insignificant difference, but it doesn’t feel that way when I’ve sized a bracelet for my left and put the watch on my right. I’ve honestly realized that wearing a watch on my left wrist (especially one that has some presence or weight) makes my it feel more balanced and proportionate to my right. Conversely, even a smaller watch on my right wrist makes my whole body feel out of whack, like my right arm looks like PopEye’s and my left looks like Napoleon Dynamite’s 😂.
I’m not sure if that’s just me, or if you all have similar experiences with wearing a watch on the “wrong” side. I know there are some collectors out there who break all laws of physics and wear a watch on each wrist, like General Schwarzkopf.
(He’s not impressed).
To those that do, I salute you! To the rest of us, let’s have a (mostly) civilized debate about which side is superior and why: left or right wrist? Whose side are you on?
Wristwatch enthusiast and bourbon enjoyer ⌚️🥃 Let’s talk strategy and philosophy for this hobby!
Left side…just feels like it would get banged up or in the way all the time if it was on the right.
I go right side, have since I was a kid. Three reasons. 1) It is the arm I lift when I think what time is it? 2) I can do up a strap without thinking. I struggle to buckle a strap when I have tried the lest wrist. Bracelets not so much of an issue. 3) A watch just feels weird on my left wrist.
I always wear it on my right wrist, it just feels more accessible and I just don’t feel like I bump into stuff enough to justify making the switch.
Left side…just feels like it would get banged up or in the way all the time if it was on the right.
Me too, especially now that I’m so accustomed to protecting my left wrist and not so much my right 😂
I go right side, have since I was a kid. Three reasons. 1) It is the arm I lift when I think what time is it? 2) I can do up a strap without thinking. I struggle to buckle a strap when I have tried the lest wrist. Bracelets not so much of an issue. 3) A watch just feels weird on my left wrist.
I definitely think whichever you decided to do as a kid has a great impact on what you do now. I grew up seeing my dad with his watch on his left, so I never even questioned it when it was time for me to wear a watch: it goes on my left!
I always wear it on my right wrist, it just feels more accessible and I just don’t feel like I bump into stuff enough to justify making the switch.
That’s exactly how I feel about the left! Still interesting to try if you really got bored 😂
Me too, especially now that I’m so accustomed to protecting my left wrist and not so much my right 😂
Left side is your wife, right side is your mistress…
Dang that’s the first time I’ve heard of that, what do you think caused it?
There is no more "right" or "wrong" side for your watch, it's whatever side works for you, the same as where on your wrist you wear it. Wear it where you like. The only "wrong" in watches is the Apple Wart. 😬
I'm a lefty and I love the crown facing away from the wrist. Never pinches. One of the few bonuses of being a lefty.
Lefty who wears his watch on his left wrist. Heresy, I know.
Sounds like a base metal or nickel allergy.
I always wore watches and always on the left wrist. I can't even imagine myself strapping a watch on my right.
There is no more "right" or "wrong" side for your watch, it's whatever side works for you, the same as where on your wrist you wear it. Wear it where you like. The only "wrong" in watches is the Apple Wart. 😬
I couldn’t agree more!
Well hopefully you get that sorted and have your left wrist adorned properly soon!
As a child I was taught that watch went on your non dominant wrist. (Left) Did that for most of my life. These days I switch it up almost daily (tan lines). I actually prefer the crown pointing away from my wrist and have been debating picking up a “lefty” crowned watch for the rotation.
Honestly.. I swapped wrists the moment I sent that message. Lasted about 5 mins before putting it back. It’s like wearing socks as gloves.
That’s hilarious, I’m shocked I made it more than eight hours
Here is what I am following, start with a casio or seiko on left make money with right till you afford a rolex sprite 😀😀
Precisely!
I naturally drive the left.
However, I just got a bunch of vintage watches on elastic bands from ebay. Well, their bands are too wide for my small left wrist, so I can do the brave thing and take out a few links (brave? Well, have you seen those youtube videos?🤯), or just put them on my right arm.
Yeah I’d be careful with those, maybe just try it on the right
I'm left handed, and I wear my watches on my left wrist.
When I was a child, I started out wearing watches on my right wrist. Eventually, someone at school pointed out (in a not particularly nice manner) I was wearing my watch on the "wrong" wrist. I confirmed his bold assertion by looking at the wrists of the other kids on the playground. To my amazement, I discovered he was correct. So, I switched wrists. I didn't really consider how handedness factored into it. (I was under 10 when this happened.)
In recent years, I've tried switching back, primarily as a big "F U" to right-handed people. (That's usually quite motivating for me.) Unfortunately, it now feels unnatural to wear a watch on my right wrist. I REALLY notice it. I suppose if I kept right-wristing long enough, it would start to feel natural again. But, I'm not sure it's worth the effort.
Kids can be especially cruel, so I understand the frustration with trying to switch back to your original preference! I also concur that I notice the watch much more on my right wrist compared to my left!
As a child I was taught that watch went on your non dominant wrist. (Left) Did that for most of my life. These days I switch it up almost daily (tan lines). I actually prefer the crown pointing away from my wrist and have been debating picking up a “lefty” crowned watch for the rotation.
Again I wish I could relate to being able to comfortably switch back and forth, but I just can’t get used to a watch on my right!
In majority the watch is not worn on dominante hand but sometimes people do it. Either way it is ok
Again I wish I could relate to being able to comfortably switch back and forth, but I just can’t get used to a watch on my right!
Start with wearing something small around the house and slowly work yourself up to a larger diameter. Once you are comfortable with that try wearing one out in public.
The automatic I assume, NY00 series?Great choice!
In school, I wore it on the left so my teachers wouldn't notice me checking the time.
At work (maintenance), I gotta wear it on the right so it doesn't get banged around as much.
I just ordered mine a few minutes ago, your post swayed me! Got a killer deal on it for $150 new from eBay! So excited to receive it!
I’m lefty and west watch on my left, always have done. Sure watches get banged up more on dominant side but I cannot get used to wearing them on the right. Just feels wrong!
I guess the logic is to wear one on your non dominant hand so you don't bump it when you're working (mostly uses dominant hand). I'm a righty and been wearing a watch on my left wrist since 5yo
I'm left handed. Wear my watch on my right wrist.
From Davosa Swiss:
I do this. I wear my watches on my left wrist. I have tried wearing watches on my right wrist, and it just feels weird. I thought about Schwartzkopfing it, and getting a FitBit to wear on the right, while I wear a watch on the left, but I have yet to attempt it. Just the thought of that seems a little off to me. I am pretty sure that the FitBit will feel just as weird as my Invicta did when I tried wearing it on my right wrist.