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5 of the best left-handed watches 5 of the best left-handed watches

5 of the best left-handed watches

Fergus Nash

August 13th is World Left-Handers Day, and as Time+Tide’s resident southpaw (or mollydooker if you’re a fellow Aussie) I’m taking the opportunity to write about the 5 best left-handed watches. Ironically, putting the crown on the left-hand side of the case is actually better for right-handed people who don’t want anything digging into their hands, and being unable to wind the watch while it’s on your wrist is a small trade off. So, with these rarities catering to every orientation of the population, let’s have a look at some highlights.

TAG Heuer Monaco

The TAG Heuer Monaco makes its way onto all kinds of all-time lists, but whether you’re discussing square watches or racing chronographs, the Monaco will always be a leftie’s watch at heart. Although many of the modern references have had the crown moved over to the “standard” position between the pushers on the right, the models based on the original from 1969 have retained the left-hand crown. It’s also the configuration made famous by Steve McQueen in Le Mans, which is a huge part of the watch’s massive legacy.

Price: AU$11,250

Tudor Pelagos LHD

The Pelagos is somewhat of a cult classic when compared to the reverence held for the Tudor Black Bay 58, and the Pelagos LHD has an even more niche appeal. With it’s matte-black case and bezel, off-white markers and dark titanium case, the watch was clearly intended to walk a sinister path. The crown on the left increases diving comfort for right-handers, and just gives the whole picture an element of intrigue. The blend of modern and vintage design cues is powerful in its 42mm guise, leading to it being a strong favourite among left-handed enthusiasts.

Price: AU$6,990

Omega Seamaster Ploprof 1200m

Over-engineering and Omega can occasionally go hand-in-hand, and the Omega Seamaster Proplof 1200m is probably the best example other than the Planet Ocean Ultra Deep. It’s not rated to the same 15,000m depth of the Ultra Deep, but the Proplof 1200m is certainly more dive-capable than anyone could fathom. Plus, it’s still a wearable thickness at 15.5mm. The left-handed crown is a necessity given its protruding crown guards and the bezel-lock system on the right, and grants the watch its unique, brutalist silhouette.

AU$22,975

Citizen Promaster Dive

It’s pretty clear by now that left-hand crowns are coveted by divers, mostly due to the comfort they afford. The Citizen Promaster Dive’s left-handed option goes a step further with a crown at 8 o’clock, which would even be comfortable on the right wrist of an actual left-hander. With a compact 44mm case and a near-endless list of colour configurations, the Promaster Dive is the perfect entry point to the world of left-handed watches if your budget doesn’t reach the luxury levels of the others.

AU$1,150

Sinn EZM 3

In a list full of deep-divers with left-handed crowns, it wouldn’t be complete without the Sinn EZM 3. This is a high-tech watch with a sense of stern military precision, backed up by rugged specifications. The 41mm case is rated for depths of 500m, and is bead-blasted for a no-nonsense matte look. In the rare situation that any moisture did make its way inside, it’s also equipped with dehumidifying technology that can clear it up before any damage is done. The black dial with its crisp, white printing and red highlights is easy to read, as well as to love if you’re into the utilitarian vibe.

Price: AU$3,270