Which Wrist Do Ladies Wear Watches On?

I don’t think it's any secret that, statistically speaking, our audience leans more towards men. But if you couldn’t already tell by a quick glance at my author photo, I am, in fact, a girl. Thus, today’s article is in part inspired by a desire to add a bit more of a feminine touch to the content we typically do, and in part to answer to a growing number of questions (such as "which wrist do ladies wear watches on?") the team and I have been getting relating to first steps towards starting a watch collection from the girls out there – either asked by the ladies themselves, or from partners and family members trying to induct their loved ones into the cult of watches. 

Below, I’ll break down some common questions aimed at those just dipping their toes into the watch-collecting hobby, and share some personal musings and philosophies I approach when building a collection, as a young(ish), scrappy girl in the industry myself. I’ve also had some of the lovely ladies from the Teddy team share wristshots from their own collection for added color, flavor, and fun! 

So, where do I start?

Beginnings are exciting, but they can also come with some unexpected terror as you come face-to-face with the unknown. As with any new hobby or learning something new, the initial confrontation with all the information is bound to be somewhat (or very) overwhelming. Personally, when I first began dipping my toes into watches, I experienced something akin to vertigo, teetering on the edge of what seemed to be an endless wormhole of technical info, specs, and discourse full of terms and arguments on subjects I didn’t have a clue about. So the actual first step into the world of watches might truly be taking a deep, calming breath, and accepting that it is an unreasonable expectation to know everything all at once. And, if it’s helpful, I am still learning new things about watches on a daily basis, despite literally working within the industry. 

If you begin to tackle the subject of watches through the lens of joy, creativity, and expression, it makes the journey all the more fun and enjoyable. Before you even begin asking questions like, "Should I go for quartz or mechanical?" or "What watch brands should I pay attention to?" it’s helpful to get in tune with what you actually like, simply from an aesthetic perspective. This is where the reference hunting begins. Creating a moodboard or having a Pinterest board (though I don’t really love wading through all the promo ads on that platform), or even a saved collection on TikTok or Instagram dedicated to watches, can come in handy. If you want to go the more disorganized, renegade route (my preference), you can just start screenshotting watches you like at will and watch as your camera roll or desktop gets overtaken. 

But there is a method to this madness. Once you have a good bank of watches that you like, you can start to identify a throughline of what you’re drawn to. Like a watch on a professionally styled celebrity (who almost certainly has that watch on loan)? Screenshot it. See a cool watch on a character in a show you're binging? Take a photo; though it will probably come out strange, you’ll know what you mean. Notice a watch on an influencer that calls to you? Save it, screenshot it, put it in your watch inspiration databank. If you see a watch you like out in the wild, consider taking a sneaky photo of it, or better yet, ask the wearer permission. Don’t even worry about brands or pricing yet; that comes later. 

With that mass of information, you’ll probably notice some recurring themes. Maybe, like me, you tend to like watches on the small side. There might be a certain shape of watch you're drawn to more than others. Maybe you’ll find you gravitate more towards watches on leather straps or paired with matching bracelets. Whatever the case may be, you’re training your eye to notice what sparks your attention and elicits the sacred "I could wear that" feeling. Once you begin to notice watches, I guarantee the Baader-Meinhof phenomenon will set in, and you won’t be able to stop seeing them everywhere.  

Which wrist should I wear my watch on?

If I am interpreting the data correctly, this is one of, if not the most, commonly asked questions about watches circulating on the internet. The answer is relatively simple. Watches are typically worn on the non-dominant wrist. Given that most people are right-handed, you’ll mostly see people wear watches on the left wrist. If you are a lefty, it’s totally fine to put your wrist on the right. This makes wearing a watch less intrusive throughout the day. 

What are good first watches for women?

Simple question, complicated answer (though starting here isn't a bad idea). There is no blanket answer for what the ultimate first watch is for beginners, as building a collection of anything is as personal as a fingerprint. It might be best to answer this question with a series of questions to ask yourself: When do you see yourself actually wearing this watch – on the daily, or just for more special, formal occasions? How careful are you around bodies of water? Are you looking for a watch that can be thrown on with just about anything you wear, or something that makes more of a statement? What color/material of jewelry do you typically gravitate toward, and do you care about mixing metals? How much cash are you comfortable (and willing) to invest in a watch? 

Once you have answered the above questions with brutal honesty, you can begin phase two of your first watch journey, which is where the actual "shopping around" process begins. I highly, highly recommend that before you enter any personalized credit card information, you make the trudge out in the real world and go try on some watches in person, armed with your arsenal of inspiration and growing watch knowledge. Free yourself of the pressure to actually buy anything, and just head out to a boutique or watch shop near you with curiosity. This is where the inspiration gets its physical form, and you’re bound to get further in touch with what you actually like, feel the weight of a watch on your wrist, and find what feels like you. Also, start to ask the people already in your life to let you try on their own watches, even if it isn’t something you’d necessarily want to wear yourself. Knowing what you don’t like is just as important as discovering what you do. Going into a retailer can feel a bit intimidating, but it’s quite literally everyone’s job there to make you feel comfortable and make the experience fun. If they don’t do that, they should probably seek other means of employment. 

Which watch brands are respected and beginner-friendly?

You might be noticing a theme here, that what seem like pretty basic questions have more challenging answers than one might initially think. First, on the question of respect, I might like to reframe it as “well-regarded” or “trusted.” The term respect throws me off a bit, as I don’t think anyone should really spend too much time thinking about how other people might feel about their watch or collection, especially in the beginning stages. 

"Trusted," on the other hand, brings to mind a handful of brands that fit the bill, at a reasonable price point: There's Seiko, for its wide range (which, from the photos, you might have guessed is a favorite around the office); Tissot, for those curious about mechanical options at a pretty much unbeatable price point; Bulova, for its affordability and history; Hamilton, for much of the same reason; and Longines, if you have some room in your budget. I wouldn’t sleep on Timex, either: that brand is coming out with some pretty great pieces lately, especially some funky heritage reissues. On a personal note, my very first watch was a tiny Casio I got in college. I still have it and love it, and I think the company has a pretty extensive catalog to choose from. It’s also typically the brand I see my friends that aren’t necessarily “into” watches actually wear, and love. 

If you are just starting out in your watch journey, you may want to lean toward dipping your toes in with a no-fuss quartz-powered watch. You won't have to get in the weeds about servicing, you won't have to set it as often, and — especially for women, there's more variation in what's available in terms of size. Once you build a little more interest and confidence, that might be the time to get more into the weeds with mechanical movements. Or, you can completely ignore that and jump right in. Again, it's personal. My first mechanical watches are vintage ones I've found on eBay for less than $100, though that's a whole subject in and of itself.

How can I build a personal watch collection without following trends?

Lucky for you, I don’t really think watch trends are all that real. Sure, things go in and out of style, but the style lifespan of watches is much more long-lasting than trend cycles in the larger fashion industry, which are on a more seasonal basis. Of course, certain styles (and especially when it comes to the size of watches) are subject to a bit of shifting, but I think these shifts are minuscule compared to, say, jean silhouettes. Ultimately, my advice would be not to worry about trends so much in watches and just go with whatever you like. That’s pretty much what I do. I have several watches in my collection (that I love very much, by the way) that could probably be called “grandma” watches, but I couldn't care less.