Which Wrist Does A Man Wear His Watch On?

Watches are not only useful additions to our daily attire but stylish ones too. The debate on where and how to wear these fashionable add-ons has been going on for years. Lucky for you, we have found the answer to the most important question a man will ask when getting a watch.

Traditionally, men have worn their watches on their left wrists. The reason is that majority of the world is right-handed, and thus watches have been designed for the left. However, in deciding which wrist to wear a watch on, it is advisable to place it on the side of your non-dominant hand.

We all love adding a new accessory to the mix. Watches are a great way to spice up any men’s outfit; however, knowing where and how to wear them is essential. Read on for all your watch-related advice on wearing that elegant new accessory!

What Wrist Does A Man Wear His Watch On?

Most men will wear their watch on the left wrist as this is traditionally considered “correct.” However, as tradition has become less important today, it is more common that the decision is made based on which hand is your non-dominant hand.

Choosing which wrist to wear your watch is pretty simple – you will either follow tradition and wear it on the left wrist (regardless of hand dominance) or place it on your non-dominant hand.

Right-hand dominant people both follow the tradition of wearing the watch on the left and have their watch on their non-dominant side. Since 90% of the world is right-handed, most watches are designed to be worn on the left.

For those of you who are left-hand dominant, there is a choice. Some men decide that they want to follow tradition and wear it on their left regardless of which hand is dominant, while others wear it on the right.

Please note that if you are planning on wearing your watch on your dominant hand, you increase the likelihood of damaging your watch. Since most of your daily activities are conducted using your dominant hand, you may bump and scratch your watch multiple times.

Can Men Get Right-Handed Watches?

For those left-hand dominant people, you may wonder if you can get watches designed for the right hand. The answer is, yes, you can!

While not easy, it is possible to find watches you can wear on your right arm. Watches for the right arm are also referred to as Destro watches which comes from the Italian word “destro,” meaning right.

The main benefit of having a Destro watch as a leftie is that the dial is on the left-hand side at 9 o’clock instead of the standard 3 o’clock placement on the right-hand side. This dial placement makes it easier for a left-handed person to make adjustments on the watch.

Below are a few highly recommended watches designed for the right hand:

Nixon Chronicle SS
Seven Friday M2/01
Tudor Pelagos LHD

Tag Heuer Monaco Calibre 11
Seiko 5 Sports Automatic Watch
Nixon 51-30 Chrono

Rolex GMT-Master II
Stuhrling Original Men’s Aviator Watch
Panerai Luminator Left-Handed 8 Days

Rules For A Man To Follow When Wearing A Watch

Wearing a watch is not done so with little thought. A few rules are essential to know if you’re thinking of adding a watch to your daily accessories.

1. Wear The Watch On The Non-Dominant Hand

The first rule is always to wear your watch on the non-dominant hand.

As discussed previously, traditionally, men wore watches on the left, even in cases where the man was left-hand dominant. However, as time has gone on, more men are pushing for others to wear it on their non-dominant hands. Part of this is out of respect for the watch since you are more likely to cause damage to it when wearing it on your dominant hand.

2. Pair Your Watch With Your Outfit

Another vital rule many men don’t think of is that a watch should match an outfit.

If you’re lucky enough to have some options for watch straps and can change them yourself, then it is a good idea to match your watch straps to your outfits. The two colors you should have are a white/cream-colored strap and a black/grey strap.

The second thing to consider is matching your type of watch to your attire. While most men do not have more than one watch, for those who do, it is crucial to match your watch to your outfit. For example, your dress watch must go with your suits or formal attire, not beach attire.

3. Don’t Wear A Dive Watch With A Suit

Wearing a dive watch with a suit or formal clothing is generally considered sacrilege to the watch-wearing community.

As most of us know, a dive watch is a rather clunky, large watch to wear on an average day, but to pair that with a suit is just a no-go. These watches will ruin that slim, sleek, elegant look that you will want to create by wearing a suit. If you have a dive watch but want a watch for formal events, it is best to invest in a dress watch as these are more elegant and minimalist.

4. Don’t Touch Another Man’s Watch

An interesting rule one would not think of intuitively is that you should never touch another man’s watch.

For a man, a watch is often the only accessorizing they do – given this, they take a lot of pride in how it looks. One thing you should never do is touch another man’s watch (especially on the watch face), as any fingerprints on the glass will truly irritate them!

5. Your Watch Must Not Be Too Tight Or Too Loose

It is not a good look if you are wearing a watch too tight or too loose. You must make sure to wear your watch so that it fits perfectly around your wrist.

How do you find that perfect sizing? The general rule is to tighten your watch to the point where you can comfortably fit one finger under the strap. If there is extra room under the strap with your finger, the watch is too loose, but if you can’t get it under, it is too tight!

7. Don’t Wear Fake Watches

The last rule is not to wear fake watches. While you may want to own a Rolex but can’t afford one, a fake is never a good idea.

Well-known, luxurious watch brands are eye-catching, and you will likely receive a few compliments or questions regarding your watch. These comments can put you in an awkward situation – you will either have to lie about it being genuine or admit it is a fake.

Save yourself the embarrassment and get a watch within your price range. Many well-known brands sell watches at a reasonable price that you can be proud of owning.

Conclusion

In conclusion, men have traditionally worn their watch on their left wrist. However, it is advisable to wear your watch on your non-dominant hand. If you’re left-handed, don’t stress because there are many watches designed for your right arm!

Lastly, if you are new to the watch-wearing community, it may be a good idea to glance at the seven rules to wearing a watch!