For the left-handed individual, a standard watch can be a constant nuisance. The crown, typically positioned on the right, digs into the back of your hand, making it uncomfortable to wear and awkward to adjust. This simple design oversight can turn a beautiful timepiece into a daily frustration, forcing many to wear their watch on the right wrist or simply go without.
Fortunately, the market offers excellent solutions. Left-handed watches, or “destro” watches, feature a crown positioned on the left side of the case. This thoughtful design provides superior comfort and easier operation for left-handed wearers. From rugged professional dive tools to sleek everyday smartwatches, there is a perfect left-handed watch for every style and purpose.
Our Favorite Left-Handed Watches
- Citizen Men’s Eco-Drive Promaster Sea Dive Watch
- Citizen Men’s Eco-Drive Promaster Sea Aqualand Depth Meter
- Invicta Men’s I-Force Left Handed Quartz Watch with Leather Strap
- NIXON 51-30 Chrono. 100m Water Resistant Men’s Watch
- Apple Watch Series 6 (GPS, 44mm) – Space Gray Aluminum Case
- Victorinox Swiss Army Quartz Black Dial Black Leather Strap Watch
- Luminox Navy SEAL Colormark Watch 3051.BO
- Seiko 5 Sports Automatic Watch SRPD63K1
Citizen Men’s Eco-Drive Promaster Sea Dive Watch
Built for serious underwater adventures, the Citizen Promaster Sea is a robust left-handed dive watch. Its defining feature is the Eco-Drive technology, which charges in any light, eliminating the need for battery replacements. This makes it an incredibly reliable companion for both professional divers and everyday wear.
The watch features a stainless steel case with a black polyurethane strap, offering durability and comfort. With a clear black dial and luminous hands, it remains highly legible in low-light conditions. The left-side crown placement ensures it won’t dig into your wrist, providing a smooth, comfortable fit during extended use.
Citizen Men’s Eco-Drive Promaster Sea Aqualand Depth Meter
For the technical diver, the Citizen Aqualand is a purpose-built instrument. This left-handed watch goes beyond telling time, featuring a built-in depth meter that displays current depth up to 70 meters. It also records maximum depth and includes a rapid ascent alarm, crucial for safe diving practices.
Powered by Citizen’s reliable Eco-Drive system, it is always ready for your next dive. The auto-start dive mode and power reserve indicator add to its functional design. The two-tone stainless steel construction and left-positioned crown make it both a sophisticated and practical choice for the left-handed enthusiast.
Invicta Men’s I-Force Left Handed Quartz Watch
The Invicta I-Force presents a bold and affordable option for left-handed wearers. Its 46mm gold-tone stainless steel case makes a strong style statement, while the black leather band offers a classic contrast. The left-side crown is a core part of its design, ensuring comfort for all-day wear.
This watch is powered by a precise Japanese quartz movement, known for its accuracy and low maintenance. The black dial features luminous hands, providing clear visibility in various lighting conditions. It’s a straightforward, reliable timepiece that prioritizes left-handed ergonomics without compromising on a striking appearance.
NIXON 51-30 Chrono Men’s Watch
Nixon’s 51-30 Chrono is a leader in the oversized watch category, designed with a distinct, modern aesthetic. The large 51mm face is easy to read and features a chronograph function with three subdials for tracking elapsed time. Its construction is built to handle an active lifestyle.
This watch is masterfully built with a stainless steel and acetate band, a double-locking clasp, and a 100-meter water resistance rating. The crown and pushers are strategically placed to prevent “wrist bite,” a considerate feature that aligns perfectly with the needs of left-handed individuals who wear their watch on the right wrist.
Apple Watch Series 6
The Apple Watch Series 6 is a top-tier smartwatch that offers full left-handed customization through its software. You can easily set the orientation to wear the watch on your right wrist with the digital crown on the left side, providing a seamless and comfortable user experience.
It goes far beyond timekeeping, offering health monitoring features like blood oxygen measurement and an ECG app. With GPS and cellular options, you can take calls, reply to texts, and stream music directly from your wrist. Its versatility and customizable wear make it an excellent choice for the tech-savvy left-handed user.
Victorinox Swiss Army Quartz Watch
Victorinox is synonymous with quality and reliability, and this Swiss Army watch is no exception. It features a clean, functional design with a black dial and a comfortable black leather strap. The 42mm case size offers a versatile fit that works well for many wrist sizes.
At its heart is a precise Ronda 517 quartz movement, which includes a day-date function for added practicality. The watch is built to be a go-anywhere ally, reflecting the brand’s heritage of creating dependable tools for outdoor adventures and daily life.
Luminox Navy SEAL Colormark Watch
Renowned for its use by military and tactical professionals, the Luminox Navy SEAL Colormark is built for extreme conditions. Its most notable feature is the self-powered illumination system, which provides constant visibility in total darkness for up to 25 years without needing to press a button.
The watch is constructed from durable carbon compound material, making it lightweight yet incredibly tough. It is water-resistant and designed to meet the rigorous standards of the U.S. Navy SEALs, ensuring it can handle any environment you encounter.
Seiko 5 Sports Automatic Watch
The Seiko 5 Sports line is celebrated for its exceptional value and reliable automatic mechanics. This model operates without a battery, powered by the natural motion of your wrist. It features a day-date complication and a clear, sporty dial protected by Seiko’s Hardlex crystal.
As a core member of the Seiko 5 family, it is built to be durable, functional, and stylish. It represents an excellent entry into the world of automatic watches, offering the craftsmanship Seiko is known for in a versatile and robust package suitable for everyday wear.
Buying Guide: How to Choose Your Perfect Left-handed Watch
As a left-handed person, you know the daily struggle of living in a right-handed world. From scissors to spiral notebooks, many tools are designed without us in mind. Watches are a classic example. For decades, the standard has been to wear your watch on your left wrist, with the crown on the right side. This works great for righties, but for us, it often means digging the crown into the back of our hand. That’s where left-handed watches, or “destro” watches, come in. These are specifically designed with the crown on the left side of the case, making them much more comfortable to wear on your right wrist.
When you start looking for one of these specialized timepieces, the first thing to consider is the movement. Are you looking for the heritage and intricate engineering of a mechanical watch, or the pinpoint accuracy and low maintenance of a quartz movement? Mechanical watches, including automatics, are often prized for their craftsmanship, while quartz is incredibly practical. Your choice here will significantly impact the price and the care your watch will need.
Next, think about the case material. Stainless steel is a classic for its durability and versatility. Titanium is a fantastic lightweight alternative, perfect for a larger watch you plan to wear all day. For a more luxurious feel, you might look at ceramic or even precious metals like gold. The bezel, the ring surrounding the crystal, is another functional and stylistic element. A rotating bezel can be useful for timing events, while a fixed bezel often contributes to a cleaner, more elegant look.
Don’t forget about the strap or bracelet. A metal bracelet offers a robust and classic feel, but a leather strap can dress a watch up or down beautifully. Rubber or nylon straps are great for sports watches, providing comfort and resilience against sweat and water. Speaking of water, check the water resistance rating. If you’re just washing your hands, 30 meters (3 ATM) is fine, but for swimming, you’ll want at least 100 meters (10 ATM).
Finally, the dial is your watch’s personality. Look for good legibility with clear markers and hands. Lume (luminescent material) is a huge plus for reading the time in the dark. The style of the dial should match your intended use—a busy, technical dial for a tool watch, or a clean, minimalist one for an everyday piece. Finding the right left-handed watch is about combining comfort with your personal style, ensuring your timepiece is both a pleasure to wear and a reflection of you. We have compiled a list of our favorite left-handed watches for men and women to help you in your search.
Frequently Asked Questions
What exactly is a “left-handed watch”?
A left-handed watch, often called a “destro” (from the Italian for “right”), is a watch designed to be worn on the right wrist. The key design feature is that the crown—the knob used to set the time and wind the watch—is positioned on the left side of the case. For a left-handed person, this means you can wear the watch on your dominant right hand without the crown digging uncomfortably into the back of your hand. Some models also reorient the date window and other pushers for a truly symmetrical, lefty-friendly experience.
Can a right-handed person wear a left-handed watch?
Absolutely! There are no rules saying who can wear which watch. A right-handed person might choose a left-handed watch for a few reasons. Some simply prefer the aesthetic, as it looks unique. Others might find it more comfortable to operate the crown with their dominant right hand without having to take the watch off their left wrist. It’s all about personal preference and what feels best for you.
Are left-handed watches more expensive than regular watches?
Not necessarily. While some exclusive or limited-edition left-handed models can carry a premium due to their rarity, many watch brands offer left-handed versions at the same price point as their standard models. The cost is much more dependent on the brand, movement (mechanical vs. quartz), materials, and complications than on the crown placement itself. You can find affordable left-handed watches and incredibly expensive ones, just like with any other watch.
Why are there so few left-handed watch options available?
The watch industry, like many others, has historically catered to the majority, which is right-handed people. Producing a separate, mirrored case and movement configuration for a smaller segment of the market requires additional tooling and production lines, which isn’t always cost-effective for every brand. However, the demand is recognized, and many major brands do offer at least one or two iconic left-handed models. The selection is certainly more limited, but it’s growing as brands pay more attention to niche audiences.
I’m left-handed but have always worn my watch on my left wrist. Should I switch?
This is a very common situation! Many left-handed people have simply adapted to the standard way of wearing a watch. There’s no “should” about it—it’s entirely about your comfort. If you’ve never had an issue with the crown on your right wrist, then you may not need a specialized watch. But if you’ve ever felt that nagging discomfort or found it awkward to use the crown, trying a proper left-handed watch on your right wrist could be a revelation. It’s worth trying one on to see if you prefer the feel.
What are some things to look for in a good left-handed watch for women?
The same core principles apply as with any watch: consider the movement, case material, water resistance, and style. For a women’s left-handed watch, you’ll find a wide range of designs, from elegant pieces with mother-of-pearl dials and diamond accents to robust sport watches with smaller case diameters. The most important factor is that the crown is on the left side for comfortable wear on the right wrist. Beyond that, it’s about finding a watch that matches her personal style, whether that’s a classic leather strap for the office or a sparkling bracelet for a night out. Our list includes several fantastic left-handed watches for men and women to give you a great starting point.