closing tag is in template navbar
timefactors watches



TZ-UK Fundraiser
Results 1 to 50 of 50

Thread: Watch face on the inside of the wrist?

  1. #1
    Craftsman
    Join Date
    Mar 2018
    Location
    London
    Posts
    817

    Watch face on the inside of the wrist?

    So I’m watching John Wick and note he has his watch face on the inside of the wrist, which makes sense given his Dante-esque plot lines.

    I was wondering if anyone else did it and why?

    Maybe Rolex can start offering a fluted clasp with cyclops to aid brand recognition..


  2. #2
    Master
    Join Date
    Apr 2017
    Location
    M62 corridor
    Posts
    4,711
    Remember a teacher who wore his watch like that. Didn’t understand it then and I don’t I understand it now!

  3. #3
    Master
    Join Date
    Jun 2008
    Location
    Herts
    Posts
    2,165
    Always seemed to be a military/special forces thing to me. Oh and wannabe military types too.

  4. #4
    Journeyman RVFIO's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2019
    Location
    Edinburgh
    Posts
    102
    Only people I’ve ever seen do it are old guys, I’ve never understood it

  5. #5
    Journeyman
    Join Date
    Jun 2016
    Location
    Cheshire UK
    Posts
    114
    It's a WW1 thing I believe - watch crystals then were Crown glass so relatively fragile,
    less likely to get knocked when worn inside.

  6. #6
    Grand Master oldoakknives's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2012
    Location
    United Kingdom
    Posts
    20,042
    Blog Entries
    1
    Sorry but...........

    Started out with nothing. Still have most of it left.

  7. #7
    Grand Master SimonK's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2007
    Location
    Paris, France
    Posts
    19,497

  8. #8
    Master Saxon007's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2010
    Location
    Texas
    Posts
    1,261
    My grandfather (born 1916) wore his watch on the inside of his wrist. He was a minister and inside the wrist allowed him to check the time discretely during a sermon.

  9. #9
    Master
    Join Date
    Nov 2008
    Location
    Stockport, UK
    Posts
    2,689
    My grandfather wore his this way, on an expanding bracelet some way up his wrist. Those bracelets really pinch too (I have one of his old watches). I assumed it was to avoid damage when doing practical jobs about the house and garden.

  10. #10
    Master alfat33's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2015
    Location
    London
    Posts
    6,198
    I have this watch with an offset dial. It works well worn inside the wrist when driving, especially if your hands are lower on the steering wheel as people used to do.


    This one was put together by someone, probably in the late 40s, but there are plenty of offset-dial ‘driving watches’ around.

  11. #11
    Craftsman Rbains0708's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2017
    Location
    London,United Kingdom
    Posts
    528
    My father will be 68 this year and he’s always wore the watch on the inside of his wrist,i never understood why until he told me it’s so he could check the time more discreetly during meetings at work years ago


    Sent from my iPhone using TZ-UK mobile app

  12. #12
    Apprentice
    Join Date
    Mar 2018
    Location
    Fleet UK
    Posts
    42
    In a militay context is it not so that you can easily check the time when holding a weapon?

  13. #13
    Master
    Join Date
    Jul 2019
    Location
    Kent UK
    Posts
    2,440
    I've worn watches on the inside of my wrist for a number of reasons, namely:

    Easier to check the time surreptitiously.
    To avoid the crown rubbing on my wrist.

  14. #14
    Quote Originally Posted by Pacamack View Post
    In a militay context is it not so that you can easily check the time when holding a weapon?
    I understood that is because it is less likely to reflect light towards the enemy.

  15. #15
    Grand Master Chinnock's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2009
    Location
    Essex
    Posts
    10,226
    My dad always wore his watch this way when he was working as a marine engineer. Working in the engine room of a submarine, heat, sweat and slipping spanner’s wasn’t the best combo in combined spaces and he didn’t want to smash his watch crystal.

  16. #16
    I have seen this many many times. They were mostly old ladies who did this

  17. #17
    Master
    Join Date
    Mar 2016
    Location
    Glasgow
    Posts
    5,622
    Was just about to post exact same memory!
    Quote Originally Posted by David_D View Post
    Remember a teacher who wore his watch like that. Didn’t understand it then and I don’t I understand it now!
    Sent from my CLT-L09 using TZ-UK mobile app

  18. #18
    Master
    Join Date
    Feb 2014
    Location
    N/A
    Posts
    7,769
    It's often worn on the inside of the wrist when attending meetings or being in the public eye. It is much easier to read the time much more discretely without it looking like you are clock watching.

  19. #19
    Master Caruso's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2012
    Location
    Worthing
    Posts
    2,599
    My father also used to wear them that way, although it didn't seem to stop them getting bashed up.

  20. #20
    Master sweets's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2007
    Location
    Bristol - UK
    Posts
    6,031
    I tried it many years ago with a Pulsar diver I owned at the time. Two large knocks and a bezel scuff later (within about 3 hours) and the watch was firmly back where it belonged.

  21. #21
    Craftsman
    Join Date
    Mar 2018
    Location
    London
    Posts
    817
    Quote Originally Posted by gerrudd View Post
    I've worn watches on the inside of my wrist for a number of reasons, namely:

    Easier to check the time surreptitiously.
    To avoid the crown rubbing on my wrist.
    Is the crown because you wear it on you right wrist? Maybe it's a leftie thing

    Quote Originally Posted by sweets View Post
    I tried it many years ago with a Pulsar diver I owned at the time. Two large knocks and a bezel scuff later (within about 3 hours) and the watch was firmly back where it belonged.
    Yeah it might help submariners, but must be the worse thing for working at a desk!

  22. #22
    Quote Originally Posted by sweets View Post
    I tried it many years ago with a Pulsar diver I owned at the time. Two large knocks and a bezel scuff later (within about 3 hours) and the watch was firmly back where it belonged.
    The same here. I tried to wear like that when i was a teenager until one day I had to fix my bike- smashed crystal and never again.

  23. #23
    Master earlofsodbury's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2019
    Location
    Tether's End, Lincs
    Posts
    4,848
    Used to do it when playing cricket in school.

    [Not so middle-class as it might sound, as it was a sink "comprehensive" (how they must have laughed when they came up with that one!), so the curriculum was pretty much 50 / 50 sport and basket-weaving... ]

  24. #24
    A work colleague wears his Explorer II like that - only watch, and worn everyday for probably around 20 years.
    It's just a matter of time...

  25. #25
    Grand Master
    Join Date
    Apr 2011
    Location
    North
    Posts
    18,930
    Blog Entries
    2
    easier to do on older vintage watches but less so with the big lumps we (i) wear today.
    Was to time check when driving, and also in military to avoid reflection/lume light. My grandfather was ex navy and always had his on the inside. Think its generational.

  26. #26
    Master
    Join Date
    Aug 2013
    Location
    Plymouth, UK
    Posts
    1,391
    Quote Originally Posted by Pacamack View Post
    In a militay context is it not so that you can easily check the time when holding a weapon?
    You can also check the time whilst holding an x-box controller playing "Call of Duty".

  27. #27
    Grand Master MartynJC (UK)'s Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2008
    Location
    Somewhere else
    Posts
    12,336
    Blog Entries
    22
    I used to wear my watch on the inside of my wrist when a student. Useful for a quick look while at a boring seminar or 1:1 tutorial. Also, if I turned my wrist to check the time when holding a pint it was the OTHER guy who got it down their front - at least that was my excuse.

    Now I am much more sober (not).

    I think the Omega X-33 (MK1 and 2) are designed for a quick glance while flying a Space Shuttle
    Last edited by MartynJC (UK); 1st July 2020 at 20:19.

  28. #28
    Master Neilw3030's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2015
    Location
    Exeter, Devon, UK
    Posts
    4,046
    When I first started wearing a watch, about age 14, I wore it that way round as my dad told me it was best so it didn’t get knocked, he was in the RAF and always wore his like that. Did it for a couple years until I realised I was the only one in my group of friends who did so.

  29. #29
    Master
    Join Date
    Nov 2017
    Location
    Down south jukin
    Posts
    5,257
    Blog Entries
    1
    Quote Originally Posted by Pacamack View Post
    In a militay context is it not so that you can easily check the time when holding a weapon?
    In the prone position at least while firing a long barrel rifle it will get in the way of the stock if worn LH..

    when presenting arms you are going to destroy your watch with the final movement (though I expect with an SA80 it may be different).

    not quite how we did it but certainly with a lot of flourish.





  30. #30
    Grand Master oldoakknives's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2012
    Location
    United Kingdom
    Posts
    20,042
    Blog Entries
    1
    Quote Originally Posted by Pacamack View Post
    In a militay context is it not so that you can easily check the time when holding a weapon?
    Or so people know you were in the military.
    Started out with nothing. Still have most of it left.

  31. #31
    Master
    Join Date
    Feb 2014
    Location
    N/A
    Posts
    7,769
    Quote Originally Posted by oldoakknives View Post
    Or so people know you were in the military.
    Another BP type dig, is it any wonder you get a lot of stick.

  32. #32
    Craftsman NCC66's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2019
    Location
    West Yorkshire
    Posts
    709
    My dad always wore his watch like this. I always assumed it was just less likely to get damaged that way. He was a plumber and hardly what you’d call gentle with a hammer, blow torch or spanner.

    Thinking about it though, my uncle, his older brother, was ex Merchant Navy and always wore his like this too.

    Who knows, it might just be a family tradition that isn’t being carried forward with me! Like the plumbing and seafarer stuff....

  33. #33
    Grand Master Seamaster73's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2006
    Location
    55°N
    Posts
    16,139
    We should have guessed John Towers, who infamously relieved BMW of the Rover Group for a tenner, was an absolute bounder, when he was photographed not only wearing his watch the wrong way round, but the wrong way round on the wrong wrist.


  34. #34
    I don't know about generational but it was and maybe still is a military thing. My father used to, and sometimes still does, wear his watch on the inside of his wrist, in his case to avoid bashing the watch on the side of the cockpit.
    I think it was also so with some drivers as it is easier to check the time without taking your hand off the wheel.

  35. #35
    Master
    Join Date
    Feb 2015
    Location
    UK
    Posts
    1,513
    Quote Originally Posted by alfat33 View Post
    It works well worn inside the wrist when driving, especially if your hands are lower on the steering wheel as people used to do.
    My grandfather always wore his on the inside for this reason.

  36. #36
    Lume - Snipers- etc.

  37. #37
    Quote Originally Posted by stefmcd View Post
    Was just about to post exact same memory!

    Sent from my CLT-L09 using TZ-UK mobile app
    Another one for the teacher who did this memory!!

  38. #38
    Master
    Join Date
    Dec 2010
    Location
    NW Leics
    Posts
    8,153
    If I'm wearing a GPS watch that doesn't show time of day on my left wrist while cycling, I sometimes wear a small Casio on the right wrist, turned inward.

    A mature student I was at university with used to wear his watch on the inside of the wrist. He told me that he'd got used to wearing a watch like that as a shipbuilder, to protect it from being clattered by tools and metal surfaces.

  39. #39
    Master mycroft's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2004
    Location
    London
    Posts
    5,695
    I really don’t understand the premise that wearing a watch on the inside of ones wrist protects the face from damage. Personally I am much more likely to get scratches on a buckle or deployant than on a bezel or crystal...

    Simon

  40. #40
    Grand Master Velorum's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2013
    Location
    .
    Posts
    14,132
    I recall that whilst at secondary school a few of us did it for a while after seeing someone in a film so it. Cant recall the film - something like Where Eagles Dare.

    It felt ackward and strange. A couple of weeks later and we were back to normal.

    In general use I really cant see how there is much of a benefit as regards protection from damage.

    In relation to checking the time unobtrusively then I'm not sure that it offers that much of an advantage.

    In conclusion - I think that it is a silly thing.


    .

    Sent from my SM-G970F using Tapatalk

  41. #41
    Master
    Join Date
    Nov 2017
    Location
    Down south jukin
    Posts
    5,257
    Blog Entries
    1
    As soon a you put your arms on a chair it doesn’t make sense.

  42. #42
    Craftsman Paradiddle's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2014
    Location
    London, United Kingdom
    Posts
    431
    Quote Originally Posted by bwest76 View Post
    As soon a you put your arms on a chair it doesn’t make sense.
    Or using a computer on a desk.

    Lots of similar threads in the past have discussed this before as well. Perhaps it's making a comeback from how the operators wear their watches in call of duty? Although my local parish priest wears his watch like this too. Might ask him if he plays COD.

  43. #43
    Reading this thread on phone whilst on the throne it makes perfect sense.

  44. #44
    Master bobbee's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2016
    Location
    Leicester, England
    Posts
    9,587
    I think old fashioned 'discreet' versus the modern 'ostentatiousness' i.e. "look at my watch everyone!"

  45. #45
    Master
    Join Date
    Dec 2010
    Location
    NW Leics
    Posts
    8,153
    Quote Originally Posted by bobbee View Post
    I think old fashioned 'discreet' versus the modern 'ostentatiousness' i.e. "look at my watch everyone!"
    Probably not the best audience for that sentiment :)

  46. #46
    Therapists sometimes wear their watch this way so that they can discreetly glance at the time without doing the very obvious lift arm up, turn it towards themself, look at the watch, move and distracting the client.

    Sent from my Mi 9T Pro using Tapatalk

  47. #47
    Quote Originally Posted by bwest76 View Post
    As soon a you put your arms on a chair it doesn’t make sense.
    Resting elbow on a chair reading it does.

    Either way will be best some of the time.

  48. #48
    Craftsman
    Join Date
    Jul 2018
    Location
    UK
    Posts
    256
    Quote Originally Posted by 200mwaterresistant View Post
    Therapists sometimes wear their watch this way so that they can discreetly glance at the time without doing the very obvious lift arm up, turn it towards themself, look at the watch, move and distracting the client.

    Sent from my Mi 9T Pro using Tapatalk
    This is probably the reason for wearing it this way. It can't be the all day wearing position.

    Sent from my SM-G975F using Tapatalk

  49. #49
    My father always wore it that way, as apparently it meant he didn't have to let go of the controls of his bi-plane,

    I wear mine on the outside as I don't have a bi-plane.

  50. #50

    Watch face on the inside of the wrist?

    Last edited by Kingstepper; 4th July 2020 at 22:29.

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •  

Do Not Sell My Personal Information