08.07.2021 - News

How to wear a watch – etiquette & traditions

When it comes to the etiquette of watch-wearing there’s not much to be said for comfort.

But when it comes to wrist preference, this is actually dictated by the crown, which is generally found on the right side of the watch, enabling the watch to be wound easily. 

Today we take a look at the dos and don’ts of watch-wearing and where we think the rules can be overridden.

Never wear a diving watch with a suit

Two words. James Bond.

But there again, you’re not a spy about to bump into Honey Ryder on a Carribbean beach, or Jason Bourne leaping into New York’s East River before swimming off to the sounds of Moby. 

The thing with diving watches is that they’re quite bulky and so don’t tend to rest well under a suit sleeve. You wouldn’t wear your RayBans at night time so keep your Rolex Submariner for a casual occasion. 

You must wear a watch on your left wrist  

People tend to wear a watch on their non dominant hand to avoid it getting in the way of writing. 

There is no rule on which wrist to wear it and it can simply come down to the ease of adjusting the settings. Some digital watches have buttons rather than winders making them easy to change no matter what wrist they’re on.

It’s impolite to wear a watch to a black tie event

So you’ve been invited to the event of the year and it calls for black tie. Surely that’s a signal to wear a showstopper from the Patek Philippe Nautilus range. No. Apparently not.

Tradition has it that it’s actually incredibly impolite to wear a watch and ruder still to check the time in public but thankfully these rules have changed over the years!  

An everyday watch is obviously way more practical and simple in design. If you do wear one every day, then it’s likely to be a bit battered, so wearing one to a black tie ball wouldn’t really suffice!

We say a smart, simple dress watch with a dark face such as the impeccable Audemars Piguet Code 11:59 is a great choice.

Show your watch off at all times

During the last couple of years, oversized watches have become the norm for men who want attention but as with most things, less is more.

A huge dial only throws the proportions of your entire outfit, and simply doesn’t look too good with a nice outfit. If you want to be taken seriously, choose watches that actually fit your wrist – it should cover about two thirds of the width of your wrist.  It shouldn’t be visible below the cuff of a long-sleeved shirt unless you bend your elbow.