A common question we receive is, “Which hand should I wear my watch on?”

The general rule of thumb is to wear your watch on your non-dominant hand. So, if you’re right-handed, wear your watch on your left. And, if you’re left handed, wear your watch on your right. Wearing your watch on your non-dominant hand means it is less likely to be bumped, jostled, and nicked throughout the day, thus will be safer from damage.

I’m Right-Handed, Can I Still Wear My Watch on My Right Wrist?
Yes, while the above is a general guideline, it’s by no means a hard-and-fast rule. Some people simply find wearing a watch on one wrist over the other to be more comfortable, regardless of their handedness.

One thing to consider is that most watches are designed with the crown on the right-hand size of the watch case. With 90% of the population being right-handed (thus wearing their watch on their non-dominant left hand), this is meant to make the watch more comfortable for people who wear their watch on their left hand, so the crown is not digging into you when you flex and stretch your hands and wrists.

However, there is a category of watches known as “Destro” (Italian for right) that feature the crown on the left side of the watch case for people who wear their watch on their right wrist.

How Tightly Should I Wear My Watch?
Regardless of which hand you choose to wear your watch on, you’ll want to ensure the fit is correct, particularly how tightly your watch should fit. Your watch should not slide up or down more than an inch on your wrist. If your watch slides more than that, it simply looks too big and sloppy. If your watch is pinching your wrist, it can be uncomfortable for you to wear and can put unnecessary strain on the bracelet or clasp.

Large or oversized faces are the “in” look for watches. While some wearers can masterfully pull off a hefty 45mm Panerai Radiomir, the same watch can look disproportionate—even comically oversized—on wearers with small wrists.

But, why should you miss out on this oversized trend? Wearers with thin wrists are can sport a large watch too. Just follow these three cardinal rules to find the perfectly-sized-oversized watch for your narrow wrist.

RULE #1: Watch lugs should never extend beyond the width of your wrist.
To ensure your oversized watch looks intentionally large, find a style where the watch lugs do not go over the end of your wrist.

Watch lugs are the part of the watch that connect the case to the bracelet. However, watch lugs are not necessarily included in the measurement of the case diameter. So, double-check the length of the lugs as they are the real fit game-changer, even above the case diameter.

RULE #2: Watch bracelets should not slide more than an inch up or down your wrist.
Regardless of your wrist size, if your watch falls down over your hand or slides up your entire arm, it looks sloppy. And this faux-pas is particularly pronounced if you have a slim wrist.

Your watch should fit comfortably around your wrist so that it does not slide more than an inch in either direction. Bring your watch bracelet to a jeweler and have it properly fit to your wrist.

RULE #3: Do not overlook case thickness.
Watch case thickness typically ranges from 6-10mm, with some creeping upwards of 17mm. In turn, the thickness of the watch case affects your perception of a watch’s overall size; thick watches feel bigger. Therefore, slim wrists should opt for a thinner watch case to maintain a good proportion between your wrist and oversized watch.

To learn more about watch size and fit, read our post on the topic here.

 

 

Featured photo by Style Shiver.