On which hand is the watch worn?

on which hand to wear a watch
Photo by Richard Young/Rex Features

A frequently asked question about wristwatches that has never been fully defined; On which hand do we wear a watch?

What does the tradition of wearing watches say?

Traditionally, before the arrival of quartz watches , mechanical watches had to be wound, so it was practical to wear the watch on the left hand for more practical winding.
Likewise, the watch is worn on the wrist opposite the dominant hand. So, if you are right-handed, you will probably wear the watch on your left wrist, and if you are left-handed, on your right. This is practical as it allows easy time checking while the dominant hand is used for other activities, such as writing or handling tools.

Wearing the watch on the "non-dominant" hand also reduces the risk of damaging the watch during everyday activities. Watches are often expensive and delicate items, so it is important to protect them from bumps and scratches that are more common on the dominant hand.

There are no rules on which hand to wear a watch

However, it is important to note that there is no strict rule on which hand to wear a watch. In modern society, the choice of hand to wear a watch often depends on personal preference and comfort, not just tradition or functionality. Some people choose to wear a watch on their dominant hand for a variety of reasons, including personal style or simply because it's more comfortable.

In some cultures, wearing a watch on a particular hand can also have a symbolic meaning. For example, in some parts of the world, wearing a watch on the right hand may be associated with certain social or cultural messages, social status or wealth. However, in most cases, the choice of hand to wear a watch is a matter of personal choice.

Specific activities

For athletes, soldiers and those engaged in certain activities, the choice of hand on which to wear the watch may depend on the specific needs or requirements of the activity. For example, divers or hikers may choose the hand to wear the watch based on accessibility and functionality during their activities.

Ultimately, the choice of which hand to wear the watch on depends on your personal preferences, habits and needs. Whether you opt for a traditional approach or choose a hand that's more comfortable for you, it's important to wear the watch in a way that works best for you personally.

Models of watches to be worn on the right hand

In the world of watch making and design, there is also a trend of creating watches specifically for wearing on a particular hand. For example, some brands create watches with crowns or buttons that are optimized for right-hand wear.

Famous people who wear a watch on their right hand

David Beckham

David Beckham, known as a football and fashion icon, has an impressive collection of watches that he wears on his right hand. His collection includes watches from brands such as Rolex, Tudor, Breitling, Casio G-Shock, Patek Philippe.

watches on the right hand David Beckham wears Tudor Black Bay 58 at Wimbledon 2023 (Photo by Karwai Tang/WireImage)

Eminem

Eminem, the famous American singer also wears his watch on his right hand. Eminem wears Rolex, G-Shock and Audemars Piguet in his watch collection.

. Eminem wristwatch Eminem wears a Casio G-Shock GM110G-1A9

Famous people such as Robert Redford, Scarlett Johansson, Savannah Guthrie, John Cleese wear watches on their right hand.

FAQ: Wearing Wristwatches

  1. On which hand should you wear a watch? Traditionally, the watch is worn on the wrist opposite the dominant hand. For right-handed people it is the left wrist, and for left-handed people it is the right.

  2. Why is the watch worn on the non-dominant hand? This is convenient for checking the time and reduces the risk of damaging the watch.

  3. Is there a rule about which hand to wear the watch on? No, hand choice depends on personal preference, comfort and sometimes culture.

  4. Can I wear a watch on my dominant hand? Yes, some people choose to wear a watch on their dominant hand for various reasons.

  5. How does hand choice affect athletes and people who perform specific activities? The choice of hand may depend on the needs or requirements of the activity.

  6. Are there watches designed to be worn on the right hand? Yes, some brands produce watches optimized to be worn on the right hand.


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