You don’t need to wear a watch, but if you want to, learn how to. Join us as we unpack the topic: how to wear a wristwatch.
Whether you are a newbie in wearing watches or a seasoned collector, I’d still like your opinion. Is watch etiquette a real thing, or not? If so, what is the correct way to wear a watch? Can you wear a sports watch with a suit? In fact, can you wear a watch with a suit? Are there any exceptions to the no-watch-with-black-tie rule? And how do you talk to a watch enthusiast? For what it’s worth, here’s my take on how to wear a watch.
Table of Contents
How To Wear a Wristwatch
Checking the time is like a natural reflex. We could stare at a computer screen all day or even have our phones within reach. But we will still raise our wrist and reference the time on our watch. That’s if you have a watch, of course.
Maybe you’re new to watches and want to start at the very beginning. Or, perhaps you own several but want to perfect the art of styling them with your wardrobe. In this article, I’m going to highlight some important watch rules. I’ll advise you on the correct way to wear a watch and touch on some watch-wearing etiquette.
If you’re reading this article because you don’t know how to wear your watch, don’t feel silly. This isn’t a guide to watch wearing for dummies! We’ll touch on some areas you need to polish up on. And really, they’re just basic facts you wouldn’t know about if you don’t wear one often enough.
Let’s start at the beginning and tackle one of the most common questions: “What is the ideal watch size?”
What Is the Ideal Watch Size?
Let’s get one thing straight: wearing an oversized watch on a small wrist isn’t a good look. There are no hard and fast rules, of course. In fact, some women wear men’s watches because they love the look so much. Oversized watches were incredibly popular a few years back, but watch trends tell us otherwise today. Manufacturers are making smaller watches, and people are buying and wearing them. Oversized watches can often look showy, and, of course, they’re a great way to demand some attention. But they’re not for everyone. Some people just like an understated and unimposing watch to do life with.
The way to answer this question is quite simple. The ideal watch for you is whatever you feel comfortable with. However, there are some rough guidelines on watch sizes to suit specific wrist circumferences. We’ll touch on them shortly. The bottom line is to rely a little on your gut when finding the right fit for your wrist. Try a different size if a watch feels like it’s swamping your arm. Remember, not all watches with the same diameter will wear the same. You should also weigh up the depth of a case and its lug-to-lug width. These measurements are crucial in how a watch wears on the wrist.
Where Should a Watch Be Worn on the Wrist?
There’s a quick and straightforward way to answer this question. A watch should sit just above your wrist bone—at least, that’s where most people find it most comfortable. This seems obvious, but make sure the dial faces you, too. Ideally, it should be able to slide under the cuff of a shirt if you need it to.
And if you’re wondering which wrist you should wear it on, it doesn’t really matter. Tradition dictates that you should wear your watch on your dominant hand. But I think we’ve come a long way since then, right?
Rules for Wearing a Watch
The rules for wearing a watch can be as straightforward or as complex as you like. It all depends on how much you consider important enough. Let’s take a deeper look at case sizes and strap options.
Case & Wrist Size
It might surprise you that the average male wrist measures 7 inches. And if you happen to measure smaller than that, well, that’s okay, too. Depending on the design, wrists measuring around 6 inches can handle case sizes up to 40mm, but ideally, 34-38mm cases are a better fit. For 7.5-inch wrists, look towards cases measuring between 39mm and 42mm.
Generally speaking, a shorter lug-to-lug measurement will make a watch wear smaller. For small wrists, aim for a lug-to-lug measurement between 43mm and 47mm. Not all the watches we feature in our guides adhere to this size bracket. Even so, we try our best to find examples for smaller-wristed males when covering our topics.
Vintage watches tend to be smaller. So, a vintage collectible may be for you if you’re a fan of old or vintage-inspired models and have small wrists. I touch on some of these factors in more detail in my article on small wrists.
Strap Material
One thing’s for sure. You want to see a bit of strap while wearing your watch. After all, a strap can often make or break a watch design, so choosing the right material is essential. Chunky metal bracelets are tool-like and sporty. Mesh or Milanese-style bracelets, on the other hand, give off a distinctive retro vibe. Some metal bracelets can look dressy, too. On that note, always ensure your metal bracelet matches the material of your case.
NATO and textile straps give off a strong military vibe, while leather straps are classic enough to pair with most genres. If you’re looking to buy a sports watch, a perforated rubber band will allow the skin to breathe. Similarly, they’re quick-drying, so they’re also great for dive watches.
When To Wear a Watch
You might wonder when you should wear a watch. There’s no hard and fast rule for when to wear a watch. The decision to wear a watch is personal and depends on various factors. However, there is informal etiquette regarding what kind of watch to wear to occasions. I touched on it earlier, but wearing a blinged-out diamond watch while diving is likely not your best bet. So, as you decide whether or not to wear a watch, consider your activities for the day. If it’s a day filled with activities, perhaps consider something a bit sporty. Or, if you’re attending a black tie event, choose a dress watch. At the end of the day, you should wear a watch when you feel like it. Just keep your day in mind.
How To Match Your Watch to Your Outfit
How should you wear a watch with a suit, a jumper, or an office shirt? I’ve covered it all in this next section on how to match your watch to your outfit. Before we get into it, there are some things to consider.
You should always pair your watch appropriately with your outfit. You wouldn’t wear a dress watch in the shower, just like you wouldn’t dive with a gold, diamond-studded perpetual calendar. It’s always best to think practically when pairing watches with clothing. Naturally, you’ll find they look better, too.
How To Wear a Watch With a Suit?
It’s important to wear the right watch for the occasion in question. Dress watches and simple, pared-back dial designs work best for suit duty. Opt for a sleek, modern design or a sophisticated and classic timepiece when complimenting a suit. Something that discreetly sits under the cuff with a thin profile is best. Other accessories like cufflinks and a specific leather strap color can provide the perfect finishing touches to a suit.
How To Wear a Watch With Long Sleeves?
Watches on a metal bracelet and leather straps go well with a long-sleeved top. Canvas and textile straps work well if you’re going for a notably casual look. However, a rubber band may be a better option if you participate in outdoor sports while wearing long sleeves. Rubber straps are great for resisting the elements when harsh weather and wet conditions are likely.
How To Wear a Watch and Bracelet?
A bracelet watch will look sporty or dressy, depending on the style. Always ensure the bracelet’s material matches the case metal, too. Never wear the watch and a bracelet on the same wrist, either. This creates a messy and thrown-together appearance. Keep it simple with a watch on a metal bracelet, and you won’t go wrong. You can, however, wear a bracelet on the other wrist to your watch. Choose something simple for casual events if so.
How To Wear a Gold Watch?
Gold watches work well with smart or professional attire. Trust me, they just do! They exude a sense of opulence and refinement, making them perfect for showing off with a jacket and tie ensemble. One piece of advice would be to treat a gold watch kindly since they can scratch up easily. You could also opt for a two-tone model if you want something less flashy.
How To Wear a Watch With a Sweater?
Similar to the rules on wearing a watch with long sleeves, watches on a leather or rubber band complement sweaters really well. Wear your watch under your sleeve and ensure it’s a snug fit. Style-wise, go for a luxe steel sports watch with a hoodie or sweater or a classic chronograph. These styles suit the dress-down appearance of a sweater better than anything fancier.
Common Watch Mistakes Men Make
Ultimately, there is no one correct way to wear a watch, but men can undoubtedly make rookie mistakes. Let’s prevent that by following the following few pieces of advice.
Wearing a Watch Over Your Cuff
I shall keep this one short and sweet. Wearing a watch over your cuff is a fashion crime. Just don’t do it. A cuff should always sit above your wrist. If your arms are resting down your sides, a cuff should cover it. When arms are akimbo, your watch should peak out. It’s tasteful, and that’s that.
Wearing a Watch Strap That’s Too Loose
A watch that is too loose on the wrist is sloppy; there are no two ways about it. Plus, it can clank on hard objects, causing the case to dent. You don’t want to damage your watch, so use common sense here. If your watch is twisting and moving around on your wrist, it’s not the right fit. For more assistance, we explain everything you need to know about sizing a watch strap in this quick guide.
A tight and well-fitting watch looks dapper. This is especially true if you’re dressing correctly for the occasion. At the same time, you don’t want a watch that’s too tight. If it leaves a mark on your wrist, it’s not a good fit.
Checking the Time Too Often in Social Situations
The whole “no-watch-with-a-tux” rule is a little outdated these days. However, there is some logic behind this theory. The idea is that if you’re attending a swanky dinner party, you shouldn’t need to be anywhere else. Therefore, why would you need to “clock watch”? As it goes, you can actually wear a dress watch with a tux these days. But keep it subtle. In any case, no matter what social event you’re attending, timekeeping can come across as rude.
When showing off your watch, think of it as a statement piece or an expression of your personality. If you use it too often, your guest or host can see it as a nonverbal cue that you want to leave early.
Watch Etiquette: How To Talk About Watches Socially
You can generally tell if a person wants to talk about what watch they’re wearing. If it’s an interesting model, a limited edition, or a rare brand, ask them, “What’s on your wrist?”. It’s surprising how much of a good conversation starter watches are. It’s always fun to exchange knowledge and opinions on watches. It’s our world today, and platforms like TikTok and Instagram prove it. Don’t worry about asking outright. Chances are, if a person is wearing a standout timepiece, they want someone to ask about it.
Don’t expect to handle a watch, though. Just as you wouldn’t expect someone to come up and touch your prized possession, don’t touch someone else’s. Admiring someone’s watch from afar is much more polite.
Lastly, here is some advice on questions to avoid when discussing watches with fellow enthusiasts. Number one; “Is that real?”. For example, true enthusiasts would never wear a counterfeit watch like a fake Rolex, so that question is highly offensive. Secondly, “How much does that cost?”. Not everyone wants to flaunt their financial status via a watch. Some just love the design. In fact, talking about money is a faux pas, and it’s distasteful in any given subject, whether it’s about watches or not. So, don’t do it.
Conclusion
Watches are one of the very few items of jewelry a man can wear. Other accessories aren’t so universally accepted. So, it makes sense that a guy should learn to wear one properly. In this article, we covered how to wear a watch and some common watch mistakes men make. We also looked at timekeeping etiquette and how to talk about watches socially.
The more you wear watches and talk about them, the easier you soon pick up the do’s and don’ts. Watch-collecting, somehow, becomes more intuitive and natural with time, and you soon know what fits right and works well. Now you know the basics, it’s time to buy one or start wearing your current one more often!
Have I missed anything out of this guide? Do you have any advice on the right way to wear a watch? Let me know by dropping your comments below.
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