2/12/2025 Author | Translator: Land of Watches Well, which team are you on? Left-handed or right-handed? For most people, wearing a wristwatch isn't something they worry about. But for those who pay attention to some unwritten fashion rules, the left or right wrist matters either aesthetically or practically. Maybe you’ve wondered which wrist is better for wearing a watch? If I am left-handed, can I wear my watch on my left wrist? What’s the difference between watches designed for left-handed and right-handed people? We’ll answer these frequently asked questions in the rest of this article. Should we wear the watch on the right hand or the left hand? You might think the answer is that it doesn't matter, but that's not true! A wristwatch, as an attractive and functional accessory, plays a role in everyone's style. Paying attention to how the watch is worn on the wrist reflects the wearer's attention to detail and fashion sense. Also, when you’re buying your favorite watch, you know you’ll be wearing it every day, everywhere. So, choosing the right wrist for wearing the watch ensures it won't be bothersome. Although there is no standard rule, you might want to read this article to gain a new perspective on why some people pay attention to this matter. With a bit of attention, you'll notice that most objects around us are designed for right-handed people, and this is also reflected in wristwatches. Most watch brands around the world produce watches designed for the right hand. What do we mean by watches for the left or right hand? I'll explain more in the following. Which hand should I wear the watch on? As a general rule, most people wear their watch on their non-dominant hand—left hand for right-handed people and right hand for left-handed people. The reason is simple: people don’t want interference or awkward collisions between the watch they’re wearing and the tasks they’re performing. The dominant hand is the one we use for most activities in daily life, from writing and picking up objects to holding a cup or eating. So, when you instinctively turn your wrist to check the time, you probably don’t want to spill water from the cup onto your clothes. No one wants to ruin their day by spilling water on their shirt! As I mentioned earlier, most watch brands focus on producing watches specifically for right-handed people. However, brands like Diesel, Edox, Seven Friday, Pilo, and others also make watches designed for left-handed people. The majority of right-handed people has led to the left hand being considered the "correct way" to wear a watch among the general public. But the point we want to make is that when it comes to choosing the right hand for wearing a watch, what's more important is practicality. If you are left-handed, choosing the right hand for wearing your watch is a better option to reduce the risk of damage. Choosing the hand with less activity helps minimize the chances of the watch colliding and causing damage to its movement. Which is your dominant hand or active hand? It’s clear that the hand you use for writing and performing most activities is considered your dominant hand. It’s better to wear your watch on the hand you use less. This is the most important reason for choosing the right wrist to wear a watch. Surely, if you're right-handed and wear your watch on your right wrist, it will not only be inconvenient when doing tasks, especially writing, but there is also a higher chance of damage, such as scratches, etc. However, sometimes you may choose to wear the watch on your dominant hand, and of course, this could be for personal reasons! Reason for choosing the right hand to wear a wristwatch: Your dominant hand is the left: This is the main and most common reason. If you are left-handed, you should wear the watch on your right hand so it doesn’t interfere with your daily tasks and activities. Creating distinction and being noticed: Some people, based on personal taste, family tradition, or psychological reasons, like to create a sense of distinction in their style to stand out and attract attention. One of these distinctions could be choosing the right hand to wear a wristwatch, even if the dominant hand is the right one! Following a cultural norm: It may seem strange, but in some countries, wearing a wristwatch on a specific hand is considered a cultural practice. For example, in India, men are expected to wear men's watches on their right hand, while women should wear women's watches on their left hand. Buying a watch designed for left-handed people: As a final reason, it could be the choice and purchase of a watch specifically made for left-handed people. To avoid discomfort while adjusting or using the watch, it must be worn on the right hand. Reason for choosing the left hand to wear a wristwatch: The left hand is the most common hand for wearing a watch: As you know, the left hand is more commonly used for wearing a wristwatch, which is why many people instinctively choose this hand to wear their watch. Your dominant hand is the right: Just as this applies to left-handed people, it also applies to right-handed people. Surely, your dominant hand is your right hand, and choosing the left hand to wear your watch protects it from impacts and other factors. The difference between watches for left-handed and right-handed people: Most watches you’ve seen have their winding crown on the right side, and they are worn on the left wrist. This way, a right-handed person can easily use the winding crown to adjust the watch. In watches designed for left-handed people, the winding crown is placed on the left side of the case, and the watch is worn on the right wrist. The biggest concern about why you should wear the watch on your non-dominant hand is the functionality and adjustment of the watch with the winding crown. Look at the crown of your watch and its placement. Most of them are positioned at the 3 o'clock mark because 90% of people worldwide are right-handed. Therefore, if you wear such a watch on your right hand, adjusting the time and using the winding crown will be more difficult. Additionally, the crown is designed to be easily wound. So, determining the crown’s placement initially helps in deciding which hand to wear the watch on. If the crown is at 9 o'clock, it’s designed for left-handed people and should be worn on the right hand. A scientific look at the meaning of wearing a wristwatch on each hand: In addition to the practical and logical reasons mentioned above, choosing the dominant hand for wearing a wristwatch can hold specific meanings in some cultures. For example, seeing a right-handed person wearing their watch on the same hand may lead to the question: what meaning could wearing a wristwatch on that hand have? In some interpretations, it is said that people who choose their right hand for wearing a wristwatch, with the dial facing upward, tend to have a bold, spontaneous, active, and high-spirited personality. If the dial faces downward, they are likely to have a responsible and logical decision-making personality. The choice of hand to wear a wristwatch, regardless of gender and fashion, is a personal preference. However, in certain cultures, it may convey the meanings mentioned. Frequently Asked Questions about Wearing a Watch: Which hand should we wear the watch on? The right hand to wear a wristwatch on is the non-dominant hand, the one you use less, to avoid damaging your watch. Why should the watch be worn on the left hand? Choosing the left hand to wear a wristwatch is not a must, but a common practice. This is because the majority of people worldwide are right-handed. Why do some people wear the watch on the right hand? There are several reasons, the most important of which is that they are left-handed. This means their dominant and more active hand is the left one. Therefore, to avoid interference or damage to the watch, they wear it on their right hand. Other reasons include creating distinction and following cultural norms. The difference between watches for right-handed and left-handed people: Most of the watches you’ve seen have their winding crown on the right side, and they are worn on the left wrist. This allows a right-handed person to easily use the winding crown to adjust the watch. In watches designed for left-handed people, the crown is positioned on the left side of the case, and the watch is worn on the right wrist. Conclusion:It may have become ingrained that a watch should be worn on the left hand, but this is not always the case for left-handed people, and exceptions exist. The points mentioned above apply to both men's and women's watches, and you should focus on choosing the right, non-dominant hand. You might even encounter a situation where, being left-handed, the watch you selected is designed for right-handed people. This is not unlikely since, as mentioned, most watches are made for right-handed people, and left-handed people are considered a minority. Ultimately, it all depends on your personal style and preference in choosing a wristwatch. Which hand should we wear the watch on?