Why are the watches worn on the left hand, not on the right?

The most valuable and irreplaceable resource of mankind- Time. Since ancient times people have been looking for reliable ways to measure it. So the watch was invented. Over the centuries their design has improved and decreased. And with the invention in the XV century of individual pocket watches, there was a need to create rules of etiquette that regulate their use in society. With the invention of wristwatches, these etiquette rules were adapted to them. In particular, it was determined on which hand they should be worn. Today, many are interested in the question: why are the watches worn on the left hand, and not on the right? The explanation of this tradition has several theories.

The History of Pocket and Wrist Watches

It should be briefly recalled the history of pocket andwrist chronometers, before you deal with the question of why the watch is worn on the left hand. In the fifteenth century, Peter Henlein invented a clock spring, instead of a bulky pendulum, which marked the beginning of the era of pocket watches. Extremely fragile and expensive accessories were able to buy only people who have a decent condition.

Being the prerogative of rich people, graduallypocket watches became not only a device for measuring time, but also a status indicator. They began to be made of gold and other precious metals and decorated with precious stones.

The female half of the society is not less than the maleneeded individual accessories. Therefore, women's models of pocket watches were made in parallel. As a rule, they were more elegant in appearance and more often made of precious metals. With the improvement of the internal mechanism, women's pocket watches began to do less in size.

In 1839 the Swiss company Patek Philippe S.A., specializing in the manufacture of exclusive watches, decided to pamper her customers and created a bracelet watch. The novelty soon became very popular, making the accessory not just an important device, but also an elegant and comfortable decoration. At that time, each woman herself chose what hand to use for wearing watches, bracelets and other ornaments.

The male half of the society was at first skepticalbelonged to the wristwatch, considering them a purely feminine accessory. But in the early 1900's. Louis Cartier received an order from the famous French aviator Alberto Santos-Dumont - to figure out how to adjust the chronometer for the needs of the pilot, who during the flight was not very comfortable getting the watch out of his pocket. Cartier created for the famous aviator and his friend a watch model on a leather belt with a metal clasp that was firmly attached to the wrist and allowed Alberto to find out the time without taking his hands off the steering wheel of the plane.

Soon, many practical men began using this design of products. And with the outbreak of World War I, thanks to the military wearing wrist watches, this design conquered the whole world.

Why do people wear watches on their left hand: different historical theories

According to the most famous theory,The wearing of the watch on the left hand was due to their design. Since the lion's share of the planet's inhabitants are right-handed, watch manufacturers have developed their design in such a way that it is convenient to wear them on a less active hand. At first the wheel for the plant was on top (as well as on pocket watches), but later for convenience it was transferred to the right side. Thus, putting the watch on the right hand, starting them was not very convenient, and most preferred to use the left to wear the accessory.

According to another theory, at first wristwatcheshigh-ranking officials used to write a lot. The chronometer on the right hand prevented them from doing this, so there was a tradition of using the left hand to wear an accessory. Later, imitating the chiefs, subordinates also began to wear watches, and the tradition spread to the masses.

As for the beautiful half of humanity,Since they began to work, women's watches have ceased to be just an elegant accessory. Many ladies began to put them on, like men, on the left hand, because it was much more practical not only to start the watch, but also to work with them.

There is another theory that explains whythe watch is worn on the left hand. In Europe, the second half of the 40's was hard to find a good job, so many stole. There was an opinion that thieves, especially pickpockets, put their chronometers on their right hands during "work", signaling to these colleagues that they did not accidentally encounter. Therefore, every honest citizen, so as not to be confused with the criminal, used his left hand to wear the watch.

Wearing the clock on the left hand: the practical side of the question

Companies specializing in the manufacture ofwatch movements, have their own opinion about why the watch is worn on the left hand. According to the results of numerous experiments, it is noted that a person commits less movements with his left hand (if he is a right-hander). Therefore, wearing a watch on a less involved hand, their master less damages the mechanism of daily shaking. Consequently, the clock lasts much longer than if they use their right hand to wear them. For this reason, most firms produce watches adapted for the left hand.

For left-handers, who have a less active right hand, specialized watches with a clock wheel on the left side are designed that are comfortable to wear on the right hand.

Theory of medicine

Physicians also have a theory explaining whythe watch is worn on the left hand. So, even slightly pulling the wrist strap of the watch, a person reduces the blood flow in this place, which means that the hand with the clock is slightly worse functioning and more tired. For a less active left hand, it's not as bad as for the right. For this reason, doctors advise people to wear a watch on a weaker hand: right-handed - on the left, left-handed - on the right.

Representatives of non-traditional Chinese medicineexpress their own opinion, why men wear a watch on their left hand. According to the ancient teachings of "Fukuri", the left wrist of the man is the point "Cun". The constant use of the left hand to wear the watch stimulates this point, which helps to normalize the heart rhythm. However, do not forget that when you go to bed, it's better to take your chronometer, because "Cun" needs rest from stimulation.

For women, according to "Fukuri", on the contrary, it is worth using the right hand to wear the watch, since they have this point on the other side, rather than men.

Right or left hand: version of psychologists

But psychologists are different from othersexperts opinion regarding the choice of hand for wearing hours. They argue that depending on what hand a person uses to wear a watch, its perception of time depends.

The right side in psychology symbolizeshence, if the individual uses his right hand to wear the watch, he fearlessly goes forward. But the left side is the past, which means that those wearing this accessory on their left hand are dependent on past mistakes and are afraid of meeting the future.

Why the watch should be worn on the left hand: a mystical version

One can not ignore the opinion of those whobelieves that choosing a hand to wear a watch determines the fate of a person. They believe that, in order to achieve success and favors from fate, both men and women need to use their right hand to wear the watch.

In addition, an important role is played by the shape of the dial. Uncertain persons should prefer triangular clocks, and people with poor concentration of attention - diamond-shaped. Round and oval forms help increase the sense of purpose and tranquility of its owner.

The "right" hand for the watch today

In the mid-twentieth century, there were clearrequirements for wearing a watch - the obligatory hand for this was precisely the left, and not the right one. However, today there are no rules regulating the wearing of this accessory. Every day, all over the world, women and men wear a watch on their left hand or on their right - it all depends on their desire and convenience.

Doctors advise to use to wear a watchleft hand, psychologists - right, and manufacturers of products create models for both hands. Due to this diversity of opinions today, each individual person decides for himself, on which hand he is better off wearing a watch (on the right or left), not being afraid to cause condemnation of others.