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What Hand Should a Man Wear a Watch On?

Do you already know what hand should a man wear a watch on? Well, think again! Because according to the general rule of thumb, you should wear your watch on the wrist of your non-dominant hand.

This means that if you are left-handed, you should wear your watch on the right wrist. On the other hand, if you are right-handed, wear your watch on your left wrist. When accessorizing with watches, wearing your watch on the non-dominant hand keeps it safe as it reduces chances of it being jostled, nicked, or bumped throughout the day. Read on to know more about what hand do men wear watches on.

What Hand Should a Man Wear a Watch On | Historical Point of View

The origin of watches goes back to the 15th Century. The primary purpose behind the invention was to create ease for explorers to navigate while at sea. Although travelers could easily determine the latitudes based on the stars, they needed to know the local time to determine the longitude. This brings us to the follow-up question what hand do men wear watches on (what wrist should a man wear a watch on) in days gone by? The answer is, none!

The history of watches started with “Quadrans” – a disc-like structure used to determine time based on protractors. Following this was the mechanical clocks’ invention, which used to hang on the walls and worked with a pendulum. However, the size and nature of the mechanical clocks weren’t suitable for pockets or sailing. Seeing people still struggling with time, the evolutionist Peter Henlein designed the first portable watch in the 16th Century.

The pocket-sized watches were then used by sailors for trade and by soldiers on battlegrounds. The soldiers would keep the watches inside a leather bag, whereas the officers tied the clunky, large-sized watches on their non-dominant wrist, the left one in most cases. As generations followed with the style of what hand a man should wear a watch on, the ideal answer is, your non-dominant hand.

What Hand Should a Man Wear a Watch On (What Wrist Should a Man Wear a Watch On) | Rules and Benefits

Once you know the answer to what hand should a man wear a watch on, it’s time to delve into four essential men’s fashion rules and ethics of wearing a watch.

1.How Should Your Watch Fit?

When it comes to buying the perfect watch, size matters the most. Therefore, always invest in a watch that is a proper fit; this includes both the bracelet or strap and the watch case. This means that neither should your watch be too loose that several fingers could easily fit between the wrist and the strap and nor should it be too tight that it leaves imprints on your skin.

Instead, it should be tight enough that the watch stays with just a little bit of space for your wrist to breathe.

2.What Is the Ideal Watch Placement?

Once you know what hand do men wear watches on, it’s time for rule number two; what is considered the perfect wrist placement for a watch? According to the men’s fashion expert, your watch shouldn’t be too low on the wrist that it looks loose. Instead, ideally, you should wear your watch on the tip of the bone of your wrist that sticks out (ulna).

3.Should You Wear Your Watch Outside or Inside the Cuff?

Standing with arms down, the sleeves or cuffs are more likely to cover your watch. However, when your arms are bent, your watch should peek out of the sleeves or cuff. Never wear your watch on top of your cuffs, as it destroys the look of both your watch and your shirt.

4.What Wrist Should You Wear Your Watch On?

What hand should a man wear a watch? Although, as stated earlier, the general rule of thumb implies that you should wear your watch on your non-dominant hand, it is by no means a hard-and-fast rule. So does that mean it’s okay for a right-handed man to wear a watch on his right wrist?

The answer is yes, as most people find it more comfortable and accessible to wear their watch on their dominant hand (right hand). However, according to the fashion rules, you should wear your watch on the wrist of your less dominant hand (whichever it is) as it gives you the following advantages:

  • You protect your watch from potential damage.
  • It’s better for the movement and accessibility of the watch.
  • It makes it easier to check the time.
  • It makes it easier to set the time or fix your watch.
  • Your watch won’t cause any interference or be a problem while you work with your dominant hand.

what hand should a man wear a watch

Wrapping It Up!

You should always do what feels the best for you. This means that whether you are left-handed or right-handed, you don’t always need to follow the rules of what hand do men wear watches on (the right way for men to wear watches).

Although the “fashion norm” states that you should wear your watch on the wrist of your less dominant hand, it’s also true that this doesn’t work for everyone. Hence, the next time you are deciding what hand do men wear watches on, prioritize your comfort over everything else.

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