How to wear a watch | Size Guide ft Omega | Watch Guru
In this article we will talk about how you should be wearing a watch. Are there any unwritten rules or conventions you should be aware of before you don your watch? Let’s find out!
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On which wrist should you wear a watch?
In this article we will talk about how you should be wearing a watch. Are there any unwritten rules or conventions you should be aware of before you don your watch? Let’s find out!
On which wrist should you wear a watch? Let’s face it, there’s no wrong answer here - the watch police aren’t going to nick you for wearing your watch on the wrong wrist. But, the general consensus is that you should wear it on the opposite side of your dominant hand. So if you are right handed, you should wear it on your left. The reasons behind this is quite old-fashioned; one is so that you can check the time whilst writing, and the other is so you can wind up a hand-wind watch with your dominant hand without taking it off. But, that’s not always the case. I’m left handed. And I wear my watches on my left. Guess I better go off to prison. Whatever the case, just wear it on whichever wrist feels most comfortable for you.
How far up your wrist should you wear a watch?
Once you’ve decided which wrist it belongs on, you also need to think about where it should go. How far up your wrist should you wear a watch? A lot depends on the shape of your wrist. It might be straight, boney, flat, or round. Again, comfort dictates. But also your wrist bone.
Rolex's advice is that you should wear the watch not in the joint of your wrist, where it will suffer torsional forces, but above the ulnar styloid, the knobbly bone. I understand why, as it stops the crown digging into the back of your hand and stops pressure on the bracelet. However, if, like me, you find that uncomfortable, then below the knobbly bone is equally fine. Ideally though, you should avoid the watch sitting directly on the bone.
What size watch should I get?
Now let’s talk sizes. Is 40mm a big watch? Is a 42mm or 44mm watch too big or small for a man or woman? When we talk about watch sizes in mm, we are referring to the diameter excluding the crown or pushers. 38mm - 40mm is probably the most average size of a watch, and will likely be the most comfortable too.
38mm size watch
This Calvin Klein comes in at 38mm, perfect for slender wrists. Ladies watches are usually around this size, but also many mens classier, smart dress watches. These watches tend to be more subtle and sophisticated.
40mm size watch
The next step up is 40mm, which for me is a real sweet spot - like this Daniel Wellington Iconic Link Automatic. It’s large enough to be eye-catching, but small enough to be comfortable and not too overbearing. It’s also a decent size that can be worn by all wrist sizes.
42mm size watch
So if 40mm is an ideal size, is a 42mm or 44mm watch too big for a man or woman? Again, it’s down to taste. It is true that the larger you go, the less comfortable a watch might be. Things can start digging in, they get heavier, and sometimes slightly cumbersome. On smaller wrists, an oversized watch can look disproportionate.
Check out this Sternglas Marus - it’s 42mm, and you can tell it’s larger than the Daniel Wellington. But it’s still perfectly wearable.
44mm size watch
Moving up a size, this Citizen Calendrier is 44mm - and now it’s starting to get obviously larger. For my personal taste, this is too large for my average wrist size. But again, it’s down to personal preference - which I might add, does change as you learn what kind of watches you enjoy wearing. The answer is that nothing is too small or large for anyone, but if it’s comfort you’re after, 40mm would be the sweet spot.
Joshua Clare-Flagg
As an avid consumer of affordable watches with amazing quality, our Watch Guru Joshua Clare-Flagg from the popular watch blog Watch It All About is giving an insight into his thoughts on the watch world.
