Am I getting old

Whenever I see someone with a watch like this in real life, I feel like helping them adjust their bracelet because it just looks like it's too big for their wrist, and has slipped around into that position.

Sniper style. Though, also good for working at a till, or a bar… also good if you don’t want to accidentally clonk someone in the club with your watch, or if reading a lot. Oh, and church, for a mixture of reasons, not least of which is subtly checking if the sermon/speech/ceremony has gone on too long on the pretext of checking your order of service, and then you also know when the pub across the road opens.

I still don’t understand why people do this. If it’s to supposedly protect the watch from scratches, I think it actually has the opposite effect.

Mostly women wear watches this way, but with very small pieces usually.

Nothing wrong with it for a men, but weird.

John Wick knows.. it supposedly reduces the risk of giving away your position in the field.. not sure how relevant that is for most of us - and definitely isn't so useful if you're wearing a metal bracelet.

I've often thought it's kinda useful when driving too - especially if you're a quarter-to-3 driver..

But for eating and typing, it's not great.

Not a weirdo, but no not really. If actually getting down on the ground, low crawling, etc it's gonna get chewed up rapidly. Or basically anytime you wrist rests on anything or you are grabbing any type of metal handbar, boat ladder, whatever.

Temporarily spun around if staying immobile for long periods, kinda makes sense for a long rifle. Anything up tempo or with lots of transitions and that watch will get some wabi-sabi patina rrlly faz.

YMMV.

My mother was a nurse and her and heaps of other medical staff wore their watches like that - worked perfectly when taking someones pulse

I did this in the 80s when I was a kid so I didn’t scratch the crystal on my swatches. Just tried it out and it feels super weird lol.

Some people wear it like that if they work with their hand in manufacturing or machinery so the don't knock the glass cover.

My sister and mom wears their watches like that. I’ve gotten use to seeing it that way since I was a kid. Odd for me but to each their own.

I share the same sentiment as you!

More as a military application. Two parts. As others have mentioned, its to help not give away your position and so you can. Second is to check the time while holding/ aiming firearms.

from time to time i do it, depends on the watch 🙏

I work at a hospital and can confirm this.

Thanks! That actually makes a lot of sense.

To be this into watches, the ship sailed on you being a weirdo a long time ago. You’re in good company. Wear your watch how it feels best. Also, sweet GMT! I’ve always liked the Pepsi but I’ve found myself appreciating the block a bit more recently.

My dad wears his like that - probably started when he was in the Marines in the 1950's, but he also lost vision in his left eye and now I think it helps protect his watch from getting knocked... I'll sometimes do this when I'm moving furniture, etc. and it is easier than taking the watch off.

Definitely not for people that work at a desk. only scratches on my watches are on the buckle.

It was a thing back in the late 60's early 70's but with the smaller watches of the time.

I do this when I’m driving sometimes because it’s easier to read and helps blend the tan lines.

I had a girlfriend in nursing school back in the last century and she was taught to wear her watch this way for taking pulse readings.

For many people it's an affectation picked up from someone older, or a thing they do to seem more tacticool. The likely wear their sunglasses on the back of their head too, to prevent glare from giving away their position...

My Dad always wore his watch like this. Easier to read when flying or driving, or holding a deep sea torch while diving. Seeing as most marketing focuses on flying, driving or diving, then maybe he was right.

Unless you want everyone to see your fancy watch.

My uncle was a mechanic. He wore his like this all the time. It was just easier to see with his hands stuffed into and engine bay.

On the correct occasion this makes perfect sense. I was racing dinghies recently and this was the best way to wear the watch.