8 Rules of the Watch – How, When, & Why to Wear Watches

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In a world where owning and wearing wristwatches is a matter of personal preference rather than necessity, it pays to make sure you’re wearing your choice of timepiece with style. Whether it’s luxury watches, formal occasions, or a casual quartz watch, this guide outlines the must-know tips to elevate your watch and style game.

1. Wear your watch on the wrist that suits you

Most people will default to wearing a watch on their non-dominant wrist. This means that right-handed people will choose to wear the watch on their left wrist, and left-handed people will adorn their right wrist with their timepiece. The reasoning is quite sound, as it means either your dominant right hand or left hand is free to perform important tasks (like writing notes) while your non-dominant hand can simultaneously be used to tell the time without pausing the task at hand.

Raphael’s go-to timepiece: his vintage JLC Reverso watch
Raphael wears his go-to timepiece on his left wrist: a vintage JLC Reverso watch

This works in principle, but the reality is it’s not a hard and fast rule that you need to abide by. There are many stylish people who enjoy wearing a wristwatch on their dominant hand, and why not? If it works for you and you enjoy it, then go for it. The key is to ensure your watch is comfortable on your wrist – make sure it’s not competing with your wrist bone, and you’ll be able to stay stylish in comfort all day long.

2. Make it fit

Like any other garment or accessory, your watch should fit you properly in two key ways. The size of the dial should be proportional to your wrist, and the band should fit snugly but comfortably. A loose band looks sloppy, so take it to your jeweler to have it sized to your wrist, or purchase smaller leather straps if this is your preferred material.

Photo of a cuff in Black Tie ensemble with evening Cartier Tank wristwatch and cufflinks

Oversized is Over Done

For the last couple of years, oversized watches have become the norm in men’s style. This popular trend only served one purpose: to scream for attention. An oversized watch dwarfs your wrist, throws off the proportions of your entire outfit, and simply doesn’t “fit” well into a nicely combined outfit.

For a watch enthusiast, those large dials are nothing more than for show. If you want to be taken seriously in the world of horology, stick to watches that fit your wrist.

3. Don’t wear the same watch every day

Even if you only own one nice watch, you shouldn’t wear it every day for several reasons. First, if the watch is a piece that you love, giving the watch a break will make it last longer. Second, one watch is rarely suited to the variety of outfits that you’re likely to wear in a given week. The office, the gym, sporting events, dinners out, and parties all require different clothes and hence different watches. If you wear the same watch daily, chances are that 20-30% of the time it is the wrong watch to be wearing.

Regardless of your budget, if you love wearing a watch, try building up a small collection of reputable watches that suit all the various needs you have during the week, and give your favorite piece the occasional break.

Watch Rules FAQs

What wrist should a man wear his watch on?

Wear a watch on the wrist that feels most comfortable to you, and suits you best. Although there are default rules to wear your watch on your non-dominant wrist, this is largely only a starting point for most people. Try it out on either wrist, and stick with what works best for you.

What is the etiquette for wearing a watch?

Within the realm of classic style, an elegant dress watch is going to be appreciated by many. The etiquette surrounding the use of a watch will be largely similar to the use of a phone – essentially, make sure you are using it in a non-distracting way that means you can be present with others. Otherwise, it’s best to skip the chunky sport watches and instead go for a smaller, elegant model.

How to properly wear a man’s watch?

How you wear your watch is entirely up to you, although there are some starting pointers to consider. Typically, you’ll want to make sure the watch sits comfortably on your wrist, neither too loose nor too tight. Also, start by trying your watch on whichever is your non-dominant hand, but feel free to switch this to suit you.

Where should a watch sit on a man’s wrist?

Most people will agree that a wristwatch is most comfortable when worn just above the wrist bone to prevent discomfort when moving your hand throughout the day. That being said, you won’t want the watch to be so far up your wrist that you need to roll your sleeves each time you want to check the time!

Can guys wear watches on the right hand?

Whichever hand you choose to wear your watch on is the correct hand for you. Don’t let societal conventions dictate how you’re able to comfortably wear your timepiece.

Is there a rule for wearing watches?

While anyone can wear a watch, there are a few expert tips to make sure you’re wearing it stylishly, as we outline in this guide!

Is it ok to wear a watch on your dominant hand?

Whether you prefer to wear a watch on your dominant or non-dominant hand is purely your choice. Traditionally, wearing a watch on your non-dominant hand allows you to perform tasks like writing while also checking the date or time, but it’s ultimately down to your personal preferences.

4. Pair watches with outfits appropriately

Just as you wouldn’t sit on the beach in a morning coat, you also don’t want to wear your elegant dress watch while sailing on choppy seas. Try matching the type of watch you wear to the activity you’re involved in each day. If you’re unsure what you’ll be doing, pair it with your choice of clothes; durable sports watches with athletic wear, dress watches with business wear, or a simple Timex Weekender with beach wear.

If you’re invited to a formal event or gathering and the dress code calls for black tie, attitudes have changed about wearing a watch. Historically it is considered impolite to wear a watch, but the rules regarding black tie have softened to accommodate wearing a simple dress watch with a black dial and band if you choose. A pocket watch is an alternative. For the rare white tie event, tradition demands that you do not wear a watch at all.

a man wearing a diver's watch with a suit

Dive Watches with Suits

Just because James Bond does it, doesn’t mean you should. James Bond is fictional a spy who lives a larger-than-life existence that needs him to be ready for anything at any moment. Plus, there’s the marketing tie-in that keeps the Omega firmly on Bond’s wrist! In reality, dive watches are bulky, they don’t fit well under a suit jacket, and simply don’t work with a classically styled formal outfit. leave the dive watch for casual wear and pair a simple dress watch with your suit.

4.a) Wear dark with dark, and light with light

If you’re out during the day consider a lighter-colored face such as white or cream. However, at night focus on darker dials such as black, grey, or brown. Just like a tuxedo is for evening wear and you wouldn’t wear it to brunch, a dark watch dial should be on your wrist at night, rather than during your 9 am tee time at the country club.

5. Match your metals & colors

Try to match the metals and the colors of the watch to the rest of the outfit you have on. Note the color of your belt buckles, shoe buckles, rings, collar bars or pins, and cufflinks, and choose a watch in a matching metal. Wear yellow gold with yellow gold, and don’t wear a brown band when you’re wearing a black suit. Focus specifically on the boldest parts of the watch; the color of the strap, the color of metal, and even the color of the dial.

6. Skip the bling

Wearing a diamond-encrusted watch is quite the flex, but is rarely done so by those who wish to be seen as elegant. Like an oversized watch, flashy diamonds and jewels are a cry for attention, and distract from the rest of your outfit by drawing all the attention to one point. Unfortunately, most people will also wonder if it’s real, as the majority of us don’t walk around with ostentatious time-pieces strapped to our wrists.

Watches are now worn more as a status symbol rather than an accessory to an outfit
Flashy, bling watches are now worn more as a status symbol rather than an accessory to an outfit

If the stones are subtle and enhance the overall features of the watch without being ostentatious, then they can find a place in your watch collection. Just remember to wear them in appropriate settings and don’t buy sporting watches made with tons of gold and jewels, as it runs counter to what is a more casual watch.

Finally, it should go without saying that you should never buy a watch with fake stones. If you can’t afford the real thing, skip stones altogether, as they will only cheapen the overall look and make it painfully obvious that you seek the kind of attention diamonds can bring.

7. Beware the implications of checking your watch

Even though a great watch is one of a man’s ultimate accessories, checking it can have some negative social implications even if that’s exactly the reason you are wearing it!

Winding an omega watch
It can be hard to resist looking at a beautiful watch, but be careful others don’t think you’re counting down the hours!

If you’re on a date, in a meeting, or at a social event, don’t check your watch visibly in front of other people. Just like it’s rude to check your phone at a movie or restaurant, checking your watch shows that you have other things on your mind; things that take precedence over your present company. Unless you’re still young and have a curfew, the only way you should know what time a date is over is when she says goodnight.

8. Admire other people’s watches from a distance

Just as you would never touch someone else’s wallet, don’t expect to handle a watch that’s not yours. For many men, the watch is the only piece of jewelry they own or wear, and they take great pride in keeping it dust-free, fingerprint-free, and well-polished. It’s perfectly okay to politely ask to see a watch, but don’t expect the wearer to take it off their wrist. If the watch is offered to you, feel free to accept, but try to handle it as little as possible and never place it on a hard surface where it could get scratched.

You’ve mastered the 8 Rules…now find your ideal watch!

The video guide below will help you to determine which watch (or several!) will be your ideal timepiece.

Are there other rules you think we’ve missed? Share them in the comments below!

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Reader Comments

  1. Be careful where you wear your watches. I have a cousin now in his 70s. He always wore the Rolex given to him on his 21st birthday. A few years back whilst on holiday in Spain, a man bumped into him and they both fell to the ground. When they got up the young man jumped on the back of a waiting motorcycle and sped off with my cousin’s Rolex. Obviously he had been spotted wearing it and fell into a trap. Don’t wear your best all the time and be mindful of where you are.

    1. Good advice, Chris. I have an inexpensive quartz which I wear when travelling. If I think I’ll need a dressier watch for an event, I’ll pack it for just that occasion.

    2. Yes, there was a story a few years ago, an elderly gentleman visiting and sightseeing in Naples, Italy was knocked down by thieves and his Rolex taken. Unfortunately, the gentleman hit his head on the curb and died. I suppose you’d want to wear your good stuff on vacation, but important to note that you are in a foreign country where the wearing of luxury items like jewelry and watches can make you a target, especially in urban areas. Certain brands, especially Rolex are so distinctive they can be spotted a mile away, which is okay in the boardroom, but maybe not so good while sightseeing in another country.

    3. When traveling as a tourist in countries that are known for pickpockets and watch thieves consider a faux. I have a Faux-mega that I only wear in Mexico and South America.

  2. I read somewhere that the matching of accessories is more of a feminine fashion concern (purse, belt, shoes, gloves) and that men are expected to not concern themselves with matching accessory colors. Is this not the case with band colors? I thought that an off but subtle color band would be okay. Especially since in most cases a watch drops in for a view rather than post as a stationary distraction from a person’s outfit.

    1. In the entire animal kingdom it is the male who “wears” the ostentatious colors, etc. The only exception is the human male and that is a more recent phenomena. Look a the clothing of people in the Renaissance, the men wore bright colors. Somewhere along the line men started wearing somber, dark clothing. That’s fine if you are at a dress event (black or white tie) or you are, like me, a priest. But even my really “dressy’ outfits are very colorful (they’re called vestments). Also, all dark clothing is safer if you have no fashion sense but then, that is what this whole website is meant to help.

        1. What is your agendum with these grammar posts? I am being ironic of course. Words such as these that have Latin or Greek roots and have a long standing, independent, use as English words do not need to follow the grammar rules of the languages they came from. ‘Phenomenon’ now has its own meaning, distinct from the singular of phenomena. Phenomena now is both singular and plural in Standard English.

          On the topic of ‘rules’ regarding watches, this might better be called ‘advice’, since one should always feel free to make ones own style. Astaire for example was being somewhat outrageous by using ties as belts. Good for him I say.

          Rules sensibly apply to things such as manners. On this score I was brought up not to wear a watch with evening wear, since on such occasions the dedication of time and attention to your host makes looking at your watch discourteous.

          The other stuff is common sense and taste.

  3. Was there ever a topic more subjective than a mans watch . These days the ability to see the time is almost everywhere , on the dash board of our cars , at train and bus stops and of course our pocket electronic devices .
    None the less a watch is one of barely a few things a man has for adjournment .
    I have dispensed with a watch except for times of formality limiting it to just two pieces . I am pleased to see at least some of those Town Hall sized gargantuans making their way to the recycle yard.

      1. adornment is correct my ipad speller had other ideas Cherry ; my thanks for reading ..
        our discussion can now take an adjournment .

  4. Wonderful guidance and explanations on watches! Thank you.

    Please consider the new Smart Watches. I believe all have a dark display.
    Etiquette rules? … checking Email? Texting, Weather, Joke of the day? etc.
    Do they work with formal?

  5. Very good advice. And the younger gentlemen should begin to appreciate the meaning of classic—–an item that stands the test of time. At some point and not soon enough, these maritime gauges that so many guys wear look like what you’d expect to see on the QEII or Queen Mary or a cargo ship. The will fade out of vogue and when they do, thank the Lord and hopefully forever, you will be able to cover the succeeding watch with the cuff of your shirt and jacket sleeve. Keep this well-written article close-by and read it before you buy a classic watch. Also consider the pocket watch—-I know it’s a tad dated for many younger men, but a beautifully made timepiece on a gold chain adds lustre to the classic look of a proper dinner jacket whether worn with a cummerbund or vest.

  6. Greetings,

    If one’s diver’s watch is a Rolex Submariner, it may be worn any time.

    This distinctive and classic timepiece looks great wherever it goes.

    My dad gave me one for high school graduation, and I wore it almost every day for forty years. Then, I bought the Rolex President a few years back. Far more compliments attended the Submariner than the much more expensive watch.

    Both watches go in the safety deposit box whilst I am traveling abroad in favor of my dad’s old FDR-style Hamilton.

    Also, if you buy an expensive watch, schedule it on your homeowners’ insurance policy; it is costly, but much cheaper than replacement.

    Sincerely,

    Andy.

  7. What is your opinion of leather straps that have been embossed to represent an alligator or some type of a reptile?

  8. “Wearing a dive watch with a suit is one of the easiest and fastest ways to get laughed at by any real watch aficionado.”

    This is such an incorrect statement that the entire article loses any and all sense of seriousness. There is zero truth to this, and it should either be removed, or rephrased. It is not watch aficionados, nor gentlemen for that matter, that will laugh at a man wearing a dive watch with a suit, but judgemental individuals believing that they are better than others, who are not interested in watches – but in trying to fit into some kind of romanticised image of what to wear when.

    This is a great advice for people who do NOT know anything about watches, who are a bit insecure and would feel comfortable in having some kind of starting point. Just like saying to stay away from colourful socks.

    But claiming that watch aficionados will laugh at you? It is not very gentleman like to condone that kind of behaviour or to play on people’s insecurities. The fact that it is incorrect makes it even worse, partly because you lose credibility, but also because this risks leading to some of your readers to actually judge watch aficionados and laugh at their lack of knowledge, thereby embarrassing themselves.

    Overall, your page is very good. But your articles on watches have incorrect statements, which I often chalk down to lack of interest on your part, and despite being incorrect it would be picky to comment on them. This particular statement though cannot go unanswered.

    1. Dear Hal,

      Thanks for making the point. We missed that sentence when editing, and we agree that it does not represent the values of GG and we removed it.

      We believe a dive watch is not appropriate for a suit and we explain why. Can you or anyone for that matter wear a dive watch with a suit, absolutely! Would we consider him to be well-dressed in line with classic menswear rules? No.

      At the end of the day, it is each to his own.

  9. “Unless you’re trying to be the next Eminem, skip the diamonds”

    Hey, Eminem is in fact probably the most understating big rappers out there. He normally wears a G-Shock. He has a normal Rolex Datejust which he doesn’t even wear that offen.

  10. It is indeed unbecoming for a gentleman to laugh at another’s inappropriate sense of style. Better to keep the snarky write ups for the weekend tabloids.

  11. Great article, I am one that is very concerned about matching my outfits, my shoes with my belt, and everything else. And my watches always match my outfit and the ocasion . I always see people wearing the wrong watches and tell my wife about it and she gets mad because she says that is not my business, but itis just my nature.

  12. A nice overview. One point to make, beyond fashion concerns, is that a fine watch is not so much about telling time as speaking to a man’s relationship with time. His understanding of the meaning and importance of the passage of time. Hence the fine watch, its quality and aesthetics, reflect the gravitas he places on this concept.

  13. Do not buy a number of different watches! Spend your money on one excellent, quality watch. Period.

    It’s odd to say to have watches for different outfits. If you buy a quality watch like a Rolex, don’t wear it to the gym but don’t feel that you have to buy a watch for the gym. That is crazy. Moreover, you are not a woman who matches her outfit to everything. Be a man and have one watch.

    Do not buy a secondhand watch. If you can’t buy a new watch, save up for it instead of taking a short cut and buy someone else’s used watch no matter what other site state, i.e. Permanent Style or other websites recommend. You will feel better owning it and not feeling like you are an imposter buying a quality watch that you could only buy as used, secondhand.