When it comes to luxury watches, it’s critical to treat them with the utmost care. A common question among customers is “What wrist do you wear a watch on?” It may surprise you to know that how and where you wear your watch can affect its longevity.
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The Non-Dominant Theory
Typically, the accepted rule is that you should wear your watch on your non-dominant wrist. This means that for most people being right-handed, you’ll wear your watch on the left arm. The logic behind this practice is that your non-dominant hand is used less frequently throughout the day, so when it’s on that wrist, your valuable watch is less likely to sustain damages from dings or scratches. Wearing the watch on your non-dominant hand also means it’s less likely to get in the way of whatever you’re doing. But what if you’re in the 10% of the population that is left-handed? The obvious choice would be to wear the watch on your right wrist. While you can, it’s not always this straightforward.
Watch Design and the Wearer
Many people say that you can buck tradition and wear the watch on whichever wrist is most comfortable for you. Of course you can, but that may not be the way the designer intended it.
When you look at a watch, you’ll notice that the crown sits at either the three o’clock position or the nine o’clock position. The latter is less common because most watches are designed to be worn on the left wrist by the 90% of people who are right-hand dominant. The watch’s crown should always face down toward your hand rather than up toward your shoulder when it’s on your wrist because this makes it easier to adjust the time on the watch face using your other hand.
Naturally, if you try to put the watch on the other wrist in the same position, you’ll be looking at the watch face upside down. This occurs most of the time if you put the watch on the right wrist because the crown is at three o’clock. This means the watchmaker determines the wrist you should wear your watch on.
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What Is the Watch Crown?
A manually wound watch always features a small knob—usually ribbed—at three o’clock or nine o’clock positions. This knob, called the crown, winds the springs inside the watch when it’s turned. This must be done periodically to power a manual watch, and the crown is also used to set the hands to the correct time.
Not all watches with crowns are manual power. If your watch is a manual wind, also known as a mechanical watch, it’s solely powered by turning the crown clockwise. Mechanical watches should be wound completely every 24-36 hours. Your watch may have a crown but have an automatic movement, which means your wrist’s kinetic energy powers the mechanism. So, if you twist the crown and never meet resistance, you don’t need to manually wind your watch for it to tell time.
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The Right Way
For left-handed people, this may seem like a limiting realization where watch selections are concerned. The reality is that if you’re left-handed, it’s perfectly fine to wear your watch on the left wrist. Simply take extra care not to bang or scratch it throughout the day. If you find it gets in the way, you can always seek Destro watches, which means “right” in Italian. These are watches designed with the crown at nine o’clock, specifically intended for the right wrist. You can also opt for a neutral self-winding watch, which can be worn the same way on either wrist due to its lack of a crown.
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What Wrist Do You Wear Your Watch On? Men vs. Women
Another myth that circulates online is that a separate set of rules applies to men and women regarding how to wear a watch. There is no reason for men to wear a watch on the left wrist while women wear it on the right or vice versa. Watches for both genders are designed with the same principles regarding the crown’s position and how it’s most accessible to the individual’s dominant hand. So, whether you’re shopping for Rolex watches for men or women’s Rolex watches, the parameters for how to wear them remain the same.
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So, what wrist do you wear your watch on? The simple conclusion is your left, typically as the manufacturer intended. Regardless of your dominant hand, there’s a luxury watch that suits your needs and your style. Explore our online store for renowned brands like Rolex, Cartier, Audemars Piguet, or Omega. Or enjoy the prestige of a unique vintage piece with our selection of authentic pre-owned Rolex watches.
As a luxury watch enthusiast and expert, I can confidently provide valuable insights on the topic of wearing a watch. The question of "What wrist do you wear a watch on?" is a common one among customers, and it's important to understand how and where you wear your watch can impact its longevity.
The accepted rule, known as the Non-Dominant Theory, suggests that you should wear your watch on your non-dominant wrist. For the majority of people who are right-handed, this means wearing the watch on the left arm. The logic behind this practice is that your non-dominant hand is used less frequently throughout the day, reducing the chances of your valuable watch getting damaged by accidental bumps or scratches. Additionally, wearing the watch on your non-dominant hand ensures that it's less likely to interfere with your daily activities.
However, what if you're part of the 10% of the population that is left-handed? In that case, the obvious choice would be to wear the watch on your right wrist. While this may seem straightforward, there are other factors to consider.
When examining a watch, you'll notice that the crown, which is used to wind the watch or set the time, is positioned either at three o'clock or nine o'clock. The majority of watches are designed to be worn on the left wrist by right-hand dominant individuals, with the crown positioned at three o'clock. This allows for easier time adjustment using the other hand. If you were to wear the watch on the opposite wrist in the same position, the watch face would appear upside down. This is particularly true when wearing a watch on the right wrist, as the crown is typically at three o'clock. Therefore, the watchmaker determines the wrist on which you should wear your watch based on its design.
For left-handed individuals, this may seem like a limitation in terms of watch selection. However, it is perfectly acceptable to wear your watch on the left wrist if you're left-handed. It's important to exercise extra caution to avoid damaging the watch throughout the day. Alternatively, you can explore Destro watches, which are specifically designed for the right wrist, with the crown positioned at nine o'clock. Another option is to consider a neutral self-winding watch, which can be worn on either wrist due to the absence of a crown.
It's worth noting that the myth circulating online about different rules for men and women when it comes to wearing a watch is unfounded. There is no distinction between men and women regarding how to wear a watch. Watches for both genders are designed with the same principles in mind, considering the position of the crown and its accessibility to the wearer's dominant hand. Therefore, whether you're shopping for men's or women's watches, the parameters for how to wear them remain the same.
In conclusion, the general consensus is to wear your watch on the left wrist, as intended by the manufacturer. Regardless of your dominant hand, there is a luxury watch that suits your needs and style. You can explore our online store, which offers renowned brands like Rolex, Cartier, Audemars Piguet, and Omega. Additionally, we have a selection of authentic pre-owned Rolex watches for those seeking the prestige of a unique vintage piece.
