Right Wrist - Advantage ?

Greetings:

It's 7:00pm and just finished a couple of "Dirty Vodka Martini's" (Vodka,Vermouth,Olive Juice,2 Olives).

So...if my thoughts and question seem odd, forgive me. It's the drinks talking!

I'm a lefty and wear my watches on the right wrist. Got to thinking.... because the crown faces toward the upper arm, does this provide better protection against crown damage and repair issues not only to the crown itself but internal problems from exposure to water,dirt,etc. since the crown lays just above the hand on a left wrist. I'd be curious if the "Wizards" in the Spa/Service Dept. given what they have seen, have any comments on this matter. Maybe MF in his contacts with them has heard something.

Have you Forum Members ever wondered about this? What are your thoughts/experiences?

Happy New Year Everyone,

Andy

An interesting question. I am aware of some makers who produce "tool" watches intended for hard use with the crown on the left side -- so it is on the inside when worn on the left wrist.

I sometimes wear my Big Pilot on my right wrist just because of the enormous crown! The strap is such that it is just slightly too tight at one setting and loose enough on the next that it slips down and the crown can dig into the back of my hand. Wearing on the right wrist is just more comfortable. I do, however, admire the appearance of the crown - maybe I should just put a new hole in the strap!

Maybe I am a bit crazy but for several days of the week I wear watches at both wrists! ;o)

But your question is interesting!

With pocket watches the crown was either at the top (lépine) or at the right side of the watch (savonnette). When the wrist watches appeared the crown at the top was obviously impractical, so the crown came at the right side. The right side was probably chosen because most people are right handed. That meant that the watch was worn at the left wrist, also because it is easier to put the watch at the left wrist with the right hand than the other way round. As the ruggedness of the first wrist watches, as with the pocket watches, was not very good, I guess the placement of the crown because of this property didn't play a role. In the end, most people being right handed, the left wrist is the safer place for the watch, being at the lesser active side. Most modern watches having sufficient water protection, only the crown protectors like on the Mission Earth are a sign that the crown may be at danger at the left wrist. All in all, the left wrist is an excellent place for the watch.

Kind regards,
Paul

I am right handed and >99% of the time wear my watch on my right wrist. The reason I do this has nothing to do with watchmaking rationale but when I was young I had a bandage on my left hand due to an accident and I wore my watch on the right wrist during that time and I got a sun tan and then it looked very odd when I wore my watch on my left wrist with a watch tan line on the right - so I then always wore on the right after that. That was more than 20 years ago. Whenever I wear my watch on the left I find that I am much more conscious of my watch on the wrist but often have a few bumps. It also feels heavier too. Although I use the right hand most I always take my watch off to wind so there is no advantage. When I wore my white gold Big Pilot on the left wrist bending my wrist did have a significant collision with the crown - but in the right wrist it sat perfectly.

As a forum member for almost a year now, the feedback/pic's to one's postings are not only interesting and entertaining, but educational as well. Reading about the progession over time of the crown placement on the case is just one example of the vast amount of things I have learned in a short time about IWC and watches in general.

Interesting comments on the BP crown's size and why some prefer wearing their watches on the favored hands wrist. I too have noticed a few brands locating the crown on the left side of tool watches. Panarei in their cataloge offers a model for lefties so they have the crown facing the hand.

Great responses....

Reposting this thread because of a conversation with a seasoned watchmaker a couple of days ago.

While covering details of what I wanted to be serviced on a vintage watch, when it got to discussing the crown,  the question came up ( being a lefty and wearing my watch on the right wrist ) do you find any advantages/disadvantages to having the crown facing away from the wrist  ? The watchmaker's response was that he rarely finds crown/stem damage due to contact issues from those who wear their watches on the right wrist. He also indicated that he finds less internal damage from water or other impurities since the crown has less opportunity to be effected since it sits higher on the arm. He went on to say that sometimes watch owners with screw down crowns and pushers do not secure them correctly allowing exposure to the elements more so on the left wrist. He also finds that crown/stem damage is more prevalent from those who wear a watch on the left wrist especially if the watch is worn on the loose side increasing the chance of hard knocks. Wearing a watch on the right wrist he said, the crown is generally fully supported by the arm and less chance of damage from hard contacts even if worn on the loose side.

I wanted to throw out to any watchmaker's on the forum or those who service watches if you find the above information consistent with your experiences. Perhaps Jack from Superior who frequents the Forum might have some feedback. His professional input is always appreciated, well explained and educational. 

Forum members, even if you do not have servicing knowledge , your viewpoints are welcomed or you may have had experiences related to this subject matter.

Thanks,

Andy

I’m wearing my watches always on the right wrist, and some some days ago I got asked if the crown of the BP would not hurt me. Well for me the answer is no, but as I know that theee are brands who do watches for left-handers I asked Chris Grainger if it could be an idea to make a LH version of the BP. His answer came quick and short: comes soon ;)

I am a lefty, but wear my watches on my left wrist except when I wear two IWC and one is on the righty side.  LOL.   It seems more natural to me for some reason to have a left dominate watch.