Where do you wear a watch?

Among all the jewelry and accessories the fashion world has to offer, the wristwatch is clearly that special "extra" that skillfully adds the finishing touch to any outfit. But where does a watch actually sit correctly on the wrist—left or right? We provide answers and reveal how men's and women's watches can be shown off to their best advantage.

Historical and cultural aspects of clock placement

To comprehensively address the question of the perfect place for a watch on the wrist, we first take a look at the history of the wristwatch. We also examine cultural and conventional influences on the usual etiquette surrounding watch wearing.

Traditional practice of the left hand

Attentive observers have probably noticed that most people wear their watches on the left hand. But where does this "rule" of watch placement, which most men and women adhere to, come from?

Historical background

The primary reason for wearing watches on the left wrist is a deep historical fact. The first timepieces with movements small enough to be worn on a wristband all had to be wound by hand. Winding was accomplished via a rather delicate crown on the edge of the case—on the right side.

This placement was by no means randomly chosen by the watch manufacturers. Then, as now, most people were right-handed, so it made perfect sense to place the crown on the right side of the watch. If you wore the watch on your left, you could comfortably use your preferred right hand to wind it. Unfortunately, left-handed people were and still are at a disadvantage in this regard: they have to reach around the watch case, which is comparatively awkward, or—despite their right hand—use their right hand.

Cultural significance and conventions

Today, most watches no longer need to be wound manually. Nevertheless, wearing the watch on the left wrist has become common practice and is, in a sense, part of the traditional rules of watch placement. There is also an optimum height for the watch on the wrist: about a thumb's width should fit between the wrist and the case. Alternatively, for longer jacket sleeves, a slightly lower placement on the arm is possible, ensuring the sleeve and case fit perfectly together.

Personal preferences and individual customization

The fact is: When it comes to outfits, you can make a stunning impression with a high-quality watch, regardless of whether you wear it on your left or right hand. Ultimately, comfort, habit, and taste determine the perfect place for the accessory. Here, we'd like to summarize the biggest advantages and disadvantages of wearing a wristwatch on either the right or left hand:

Right hand

Advantages and disadvantages of this placement

Wearing a watch on the right is particularly suitable for left-handed people. After all, they use their left hand for all sorts of everyday activities, and the watch can sometimes be perceived as a nuisance. Worn on the dominant left hand, the watch and strap are also subject to greater stress, which, in our experience, leads to more signs of wear. In addition, putting on a watch on the left hand can be quite tricky for a left-handed person. It may take some practice to be able to position the watch smoothly on the wrist with the non-dominant hand.

For all these reasons, it's recommended that left-handed people wear their watch on the right side—even if this doesn't conform to the usual "rules." After all, placing it on the right arm doesn't detract from the watch's chic appearance, and thus, despite etiquette, there's nothing wrong with wearing the accessory on the right side.

Left hand

Advantages and disadvantages of this placement

For men and women whose dominant hand is the right, the situation is exactly the opposite. They use their right hand for cooking, cleaning, shaving, brushing teeth, and other tasks, which is why a watch is generally better placed on the left. There, it doesn't get in the way of right-handers in everyday life and is less likely to get scratched.

How to wear a watch with style?

Regardless of which arm the watch is worn on, we would like to give you some tips on choosing the ideal watch for men and women:

Watch size

How big is too big? This is also one of the most frequently asked questions about watches. The general rule is: The size of the watch should match the size of the wrist. For men with wide wrists, a larger watch may be the optimal choice, whereas for a woman with a delicate arm, it would look excessive and heavy. This is where the so-called 18-40 rule comes into play. This states that the case of a watch for a person with an 18 cm wrist circumference should measure a maximum of 40 cm.

Material and color

There's truly something for everyone in the vast watch market: From the simple, no-frills watch for women to the diamond-studded gold watch with a thick link bracelet to the sporty diver's watch for men, there's nothing you can't find. And that's a good thing! When it comes to the material and color scheme of a watch and bracelet, there's essentially no "right" or "wrong." A watch doesn't have to be flashy and extravagant to be perceived as high-quality. Likewise, it doesn't necessarily have to be understated and subtle to express good style. As long as it harmoniously complements the outfit it's worn with, supposedly strict "style rules" are superfluous. With this in mind, it's worth making sure that the material of your watch and bracelet matches the rest of your jewelry. This creates a wonderfully harmonious overall look.

Occasion

Of course, the watch should be chosen to suit the occasion or situation. For example, a sports watch with a two-tone textile strap and bright hands is more suited to a sporty casual look, while a chic, classic dress watch completes a business outfit. If you wear a striking platinum luxury watch with a huge case to a casual meeting with friends, you might quickly be considered a show-off. On the other hand, a frequently used, no-name watch with a half-shredded leather strap might be too much of a good thing in terms of "understatement" if you wear it to an important meeting.

Of course, all of these tips are merely rough suggestions, and the exception proves the rule. Ultimately, remember: anything goes!

Conclusion - The optimal placement of a watch on the wrist

Even though the days when all watches had to be laboriously wound by hand are over, most people still wear their timepieces on the left hand. Nevertheless, there's nothing theoretically wrong with wearing a watch on the right wrist. Quite the opposite: Especially for left-handed people, the right arm is often the more comfortable and practical choice.