Anyone wear their watch faces on the underside of your wrist?

Steve686 · Apr 15, 2015

I do a bit of scuba diving and always wear my wrist computer with the display mounted on the inner/underside of my wrist. This helps protect against banging the display against pieces of steel on wreck dives and so on. Also helps keep the computer from snagging on stray fishing lines that litter some dive sites.

I also notice that it is just a bit more natural and convenient to use the buttons on the computer this way because of the way your wrist tends to pronate away from you, versus towards you if you were to hold your hand palm facing down at about stomach level.

Just curious if anyone wears their normal watches this way or maybe planning on wearing their Apple watch this way for a little extra protection?

mightyjabba · Apr 15, 2015

For me it would be the opposite of extra protection, since I'm sure I would end up slamming it against my computer, desk or keyboard all the time.

rhyme · Apr 15, 2015

I've thought about it, because I suspect the heat rate monitor might be more accurate that way, but I don't like the look.

kdarling · Apr 15, 2015

There are times that I'll wear a watch that way, too, for protection. Or sometimes because it makes it easier to sneak glances at the time (hands folded on a table in front of me, say).

In any case, most/all of the smartwatches I have, will not automatically turn on in that orientation.

That's because the wrist twist to bring the face into view, goes the opposite direction from how you twist your wrist if worn on top. So the watch ignores your twist, as it assumes you're actually turning the watch to face away from you.

Southern Dad · Apr 15, 2015

This was a habit that I picked up when I was a field artillery officer in the US Army. While I now wear my watch on the top of my wrist, I still at times find myself looking at a watch strap buckle as opposed to my Pebble.

SHNXX · Apr 15, 2015

wel, the microsoft bracelet is supposed to be worn this way.

Tyler23 · Apr 15, 2015

Steve686 said:
I do a bit of scuba diving and always wear my wrist computer with the display mounted on the inner/underside of my wrist. This helps protect against banging the display against pieces of steel on wreck dives and so on. Also helps keep the computer from snagging on stray fishing lines that litter some dive sites.

I also notice that it is just a bit more natural and convenient to use the buttons on the computer this way because of the way your wrist tends to pronate away from you, versus towards you if you were to hold your hand palm facing down at about stomach level.

Just curious if anyone wears their normal watches this way or maybe planning on wearing their Apple watch this way for a little extra protection?

rhyme said:
I've thought about it, because I suspect the heat rate monitor might be more accurate that way, but I don't like the look.

From Apple's own "Wearing Apple Watch" guide:

"In addition, the sensors will work only if you wear Apple Watch on the top of your wrist."

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT204665

Sophrosyne · Apr 15, 2015

Tyler23 said:
From Apple's own "Wearing Apple Watch" guide:

"In addition, the sensors will work only if you wear Apple Watch on the top of your wrist."

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT204665

Thanks. I also wanted to wear my watch under my wrist. Stil not enough of a reason to cancel.

bbeagle · Apr 15, 2015

Sophrosyne said:
Thanks. I also wanted to wear my watch under my wrist. Stil not enough of a reason to cancel.

The watch is worn OVER the wrist, not UNDER. Just like toilet paper is OVER not under! Get it right, people!

BillyTrimble · Apr 15, 2015

Steve686 said:
I also notice that it is just a bit more natural and convenient to use the buttons on the computer this way because of the way your wrist tends to pronate away from you, versus towards you if you were to hold your hand palm facing down at about stomach level.

Sorry. This is strictly a FYI. "Pronation away from you" is called supination.

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bbeagle said:
The watch is worn OVER the wrist, not UNDER. Just like toilet paper is OVER not under! Get it right, people!

Image

Absolutely. I just don't understand how anyone can do the toilet paper thing under instead of over.

kdarling · Apr 15, 2015

BillyTrimble said:
Absolutely. I just don't understand how anyone can do the toilet paper thing under instead of over.

Ha. After living with several females in the house, I have switched to under after decades of over.

It seems to help hold down the huge amount they use

chenjas1 · Apr 15, 2015

Surprised that Apple's support page says that the sensors won't work unless it's on the top of your wrist.

I've seen a few YouTube videos showing people putting two fingers on the backside of the display watches at the stores and have been able to get a HR reading.

ericgtr12 · Apr 15, 2015

I once wore my watch with the face on the underside, of course Starsky & Hutch was the most popular show on TV at the time.

Sophrosyne · Apr 15, 2015

bbeagle said:
The watch is worn OVER the wrist, not UNDER. Just like toilet paper is OVER not under! Get it right, people!

Image

Who uses toilet paper?

Steve686 · Apr 15, 2015

Sophrosyne said:
Who uses toilet paper?

Thank you.

Baby Wipes only.

I'm wearing my Watch face up but was curious if anyone did the opposite.

Thanks for the input guys.

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ericgtr12 said:
I once wore my watch with the face on the underside, of course Starsky & Hutch was the most popular show on TV at the time.

.0758% of the people here would probably remember actually watching that classic.

I'm one of those people.

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BillyTrimble said:
Sorry. This is strictly a FYI. "Pronation away from you" is called supination.

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Absolutely. I just don't understand how anyone can do the toilet paper thing under instead of over.

Ahhh yes, SUPination. forgot my terms.

The airplane scene just came to mind with the Over/Under debate. What's your vector, Victor?

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kdarling said:
There are times that I'll wear a watch that way, too, for protection. Or sometimes because it makes it easier to sneak glances at the time (hands folded on a table in front of me, say).

In any case, most/all of the smartwatches I have, will not automatically turn on in that orientation.

That's because the wrist twist to bring the face into view, goes the opposite direction from how you twist your wrist if worn on top. So the watch ignores your twist, as it assumes you're actually turning the watch to face away from you.

I see. I am debating setting the auto on/off feature to "off" regardless of how I wear the watch if it turns on too much in the course of a day without my intent.

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Southern Dad said:
This was a habit that I picked up when I was a field artillery officer in the US Army. While I now wear my watch on the top of my wrist, I still at times find myself looking at a watch strap buckle as opposed to my Pebble.

Hope your guys sent some "messages" down range.

SixtyK · Apr 15, 2015

BillyTrimble said:
Absolutely. I just don't understand how anyone can do the toilet paper thing under instead of over.

I felt the same way, until I lived with my ex's cat.

Uccle · Apr 15, 2015

Tyler23 said:
From Apple's own "Wearing Apple Watch" guide:

"In addition, the sensors will work only if you wear Apple Watch on the top of your wrist."

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT204665

Bummer...but thanks. I've worn watches both over and under but was expecting to wear this one under.

But TP should always be over ;-)

Tmdlkwd · Apr 15, 2015

W the HRM

rhyme said:
I've thought about it, because I suspect the heat rate monitor might be more accurate that way, but I don't like the look.

Yes, exactly!!

I plan to try it out both ways when I cycle
Then, I am going to compare reading to my Scosche Rhy Plus Optical HRM

Including wearing both on the same arm, and then, on the opposite wrist
Trying out several diff combinations

didnt know sensors for watch on the to

I don't mind wearing the Watch on the underside if its more accurate

Tyler23 · Apr 15, 2015

Tmdlkwd said:
Yes, exactly!!

I plan to try it out both ways when I cycle
Then, I am going to compare reading to my Scosche Rhy Plus Optical HRM

Including wearing both on the same arm, and then, on the opposite wrist
Trying out several diff combinations

I don't mind wearing the Watch on the underside if its more accurate

Please read my above post and the link to Apple's page directly.

The direct quote from Apple's guide is:

"In addition, the sensors will work only if you wear Apple Watch on the top of your wrist."

Tmdlkwd · Apr 15, 2015

Thanks for the clarification

Tyler23 said:
From Apple's own "Wearing Apple Watch" guide:

"In addition, the sensors will work only if you wear Apple Watch on the top of your wrist."

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT204665

Thanks for the clarification

dontwalkhand · Apr 15, 2015

Over, the under thing looks weird, and I doubt the sensors would work correctly with someone wearing it the wrong way.

dBeats · Apr 15, 2015

Race car drivers and airline pilots were known to wear them under the wrist (before electronic HUDs and F1 steering wheel info centers came about). They could check the time without removing their hand from the controls. I tried it for a while but couldn't get used to it. Then I got a fairly large watch and it became impossible to do.

arminta7 · Apr 15, 2015

kdarling said:
In any case, most/all of the smartwatches I have, will not automatically turn on in that orientation.

That's because the wrist twist to bring the face into view, goes the opposite direction from how you twist your wrist if worn on top. So the watch ignores your twist, as it assumes you're actually turning the watch to face away from you.

Wouldn't it be like you were wearing it on the opposite wrist? Like if you wore it on the inside of your right wrist it would be the same direction as if you were wearing it on the outside of your left wrist? Would it work if you changed the handedness? Maybe I'm just confused lol

Steve686 · Apr 15, 2015

I see your orientation point here.

I am wondering now if the watch sensors pick up movement from a wrist at your side position to any movement upward that puts the face of the watch looking towards the sky.

I'm actually gonna drop by Apple now and do some tests on over/under wearing.

izzle22 · Apr 15, 2015

Over. In my OPINION under looks freaking ridiculous. Like wearing a shirt backwards with the buttons on your back.

Anyone wear their watch faces on the underside of your wrist?

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