# Nixon diving watches: Left-handed or some quirk for diving? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [September 5, 2012, 12:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nixon-diving-watches-left-handed-or-some-quirk-for-diving/633731 "2012-09-05T12:01:46Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 18\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![CookingWithGas](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cookingwithgas/32/485_2.png) [@CookingWithGas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CookingWithGas)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2012, 12:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nixon-diving-watches-left-handed-or-some-quirk-for-diving/633731/1 "2012-09-05T12:01:46Z")
Is there some reason that a diver would prefer to wear the watch on the right hand regardless of handedness? I saw some Nixon watches on display at a surf shop when I was in vacation in Hawaii, and noticed a [number of left-handed models](http://www.nixon.com/mens/watches/). I am left-handed and wear my watch on the right hand, which means the stem is on the wrong side and I have to take it off to make adjustments. I have one left-handed watch with the stem and chronograph buttons on the left side. I have never seen such a big selection of left-handed models by one manufacturer. The site doesn’t call them left-handed, they just mention that the stem is in the 9 o’clock position. ---
**Author:** ![Iggy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iggy/32/3364_2.png) [@Iggy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Iggy)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2012, 1:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nixon-diving-watches-left-handed-or-some-quirk-for-diving/633731/2 "2012-09-05T13:14:31Z")
The most critical point during the dive to monitor time is during ascent and a three minute pause at 15ft (5m) before final ascent to the surface. The diver may need to add or release air from his BCD to control buoyancy — and in standard diver’s gear configuration that is done with the left hand. If the dive watch or dive computer is on the right wrist then the diver can monitor that while simultaneously adjusting buoyancy. ---
**Author:** ![CookingWithGas](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cookingwithgas/32/485_2.png) [@CookingWithGas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CookingWithGas)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2012, 2:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nixon-diving-watches-left-handed-or-some-quirk-for-diving/633731/3 "2012-09-05T14:18:21Z")
Very clear–thanks for the education! ---
**Author:** ![muldoonthief](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muldoonthief/32/3188_2.png) [@muldoonthief](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/muldoonthief)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2012, 3:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nixon-diving-watches-left-handed-or-some-quirk-for-diving/633731/4 "2012-09-05T15:40:22Z")
That seems like a convoluted explanation. The 3 minutes doesn’t have to be exact - there’s nothing wrong with staying more than 3 minutes. And it’s trivially easy to hold the BCD valve up while rotating your wrist enough to see your watch. Given that no one else makes left handed dive watches, I think it’s just a sales gimmick. ---
**Author:** ![lieu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c2a13f/32.png) [@lieu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lieu)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2012, 3:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nixon-diving-watches-left-handed-or-some-quirk-for-diving/633731/5 "2012-09-05T15:45:32Z")
Nixon watches: the water gate is open only to the left. ---
**Author:** ![CookingWithGas](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cookingwithgas/32/485_2.png) [@CookingWithGas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CookingWithGas)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2012, 4:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nixon-diving-watches-left-handed-or-some-quirk-for-diving/633731/6 "2012-09-05T16:30:16Z")
> [@muldoonthief](#): > > Given that no one else makes left handed dive watches, I think it’s just a sales gimmick. Well, maybe, but why would you include a gimmick that makes it harder for right-handed people to use your product? ---
**Author:** ![Omar\_Little](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/omar_little/32/269_2.png) [@Omar\_Little](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omar_Little)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2012, 4:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nixon-diving-watches-left-handed-or-some-quirk-for-diving/633731/7 "2012-09-05T16:30:34Z")
> [@muldoonthief](#): > > Given that no one else makes left handed dive watches, I think it’s just a sales gimmick. I’ve seen numerous makers of left handed dive watches. ---
**Author:** ![Norse](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/a9adbd/32.png) [@Norse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Norse)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2012, 4:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nixon-diving-watches-left-handed-or-some-quirk-for-diving/633731/8 "2012-09-05T16:36:34Z")
> [@Iggy](#): > > The most critical point during the dive to monitor time is during ascent and a three minute pause at 15ft (5m) before final ascent to the surface. The diver may need to add or release air from his BCD to control buoyancy — and in standard diver’s gear configuration that is done with the left hand. If the dive watch or dive computer is on the right wrist then the diver can monitor that while simultaneously adjusting buoyancy. Seriously, how many scuba divers use watches anymore? Everyone I know uses a [dive computer](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dive_computer) or at least a [bottom timer](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Depth_gauge). Granted, some of those computers ([example](http://www.suunto.com/global/en/products/diving-instruments/suunto-d9tx/suunto-d9tx-black-elastomer)) can look a bit like a watch, but more often they’re [noticeably bigger](http://www.scubapro.com/en-US/USA/instruments/computers/products/galileo-luna.aspx) and [not even worn on the wrist like a watch](http://www.suunto.com/global/en/products/diving-instruments/suunto-cobra3/suunto-cobra3-black). And I’ve never met a recreational scuba diver wearing her computer on her right wrist. Always on the left. ---
**Author:** ![CookingWithGas](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cookingwithgas/32/485_2.png) [@CookingWithGas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CookingWithGas)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2012, 4:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nixon-diving-watches-left-handed-or-some-quirk-for-diving/633731/9 "2012-09-05T16:39:19Z")
[Here is a watch](http://www.invictawatch.com/new/product/search.php?CAT_REF_NBR=20&prn=112770#112770) similar to one that I have that the manufacturer specifically calls “lefty”. It’s a chronograph but not a diving watch. ---
**Author:** ![grama](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/7cd45c/32.png) [@grama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/grama)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2012, 5:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nixon-diving-watches-left-handed-or-some-quirk-for-diving/633731/10 "2012-09-05T17:01:10Z")
FWIW I’m right handed and I wear my watch in my right hand. Not relevant, I know but wanted to say it 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![DrCube](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a3d4f5/32.png) [@DrCube](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrCube)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2012, 6:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nixon-diving-watches-left-handed-or-some-quirk-for-diving/633731/11 "2012-09-05T18:48:57Z")
Wow, I never knew watches had chirality. Ignorance fought. ---
**Author:** ![gregorio](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/fbc32d/32.png) [@gregorio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gregorio)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2012, 6:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nixon-diving-watches-left-handed-or-some-quirk-for-diving/633731/12 "2012-09-05T18:55:08Z")
How about this [Seiko SKX007](http://www.amazon.ca/Automatic-Divers-SKX007J1-SKX007J-SKX007/dp/B000RF6QRY/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1346871101&sr=8-3) with the crown at 4:00? If you just can’t decide between 3:00 and 9:00. A nice thing about left hand crowns is that it doesn’t dig into your wrist when you’re riding your bicycle and wearing your dinner plate sized watch. ---
**Author:** ![RedSwinglineOne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/a9adbd/32.png) [@RedSwinglineOne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RedSwinglineOne)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2012, 11:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nixon-diving-watches-left-handed-or-some-quirk-for-diving/633731/13 "2012-09-05T23:12:41Z")
From the chronomaster website, > [@](#): > > The crown is at the left side at 9 o’clock position making it more comfortable to wear as it does not dig into the wrist, more importantly from a practical view point, the crown will not snag on obstacles. It was also mentioned that the stopwatch is easier to operate with the button on the lower left. ---
**Author:** ![Weedy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/weedy/32/301_2.png) [@Weedy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Weedy)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2012, 12:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nixon-diving-watches-left-handed-or-some-quirk-for-diving/633731/14 "2012-09-06T00:45:31Z")
> [@Norse](#): > > Seriously, how many scuba divers use watches anymore? Everyone I know uses a [dive computer](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dive_computer) or at least a [bottom timer](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Depth_gauge). Granted, some of those computers ([example](http://www.suunto.com/global/en/products/diving-instruments/suunto-d9tx/suunto-d9tx-black-elastomer)) can look a bit like a watch, but more often they’re [noticeably bigger](http://www.scubapro.com/en-US/USA/instruments/computers/products/galileo-luna.aspx) and [not even worn on the wrist like a watch](http://www.suunto.com/global/en/products/diving-instruments/suunto-cobra3/suunto-cobra3-black). > > And I’ve never met a recreational scuba diver wearing her computer on her right wrist. Always on the left. I wear mine on the right, for the same reason as Iggy. The watches in the OP wouldnt be much use for scuba because they dont seem to have a depth gauge. ---
**Author:** ![Iggy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iggy/32/3364_2.png) [@Iggy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Iggy)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2012, 12:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nixon-diving-watches-left-handed-or-some-quirk-for-diving/633731/15 "2012-09-06T00:53:30Z")
Just my humble experience watching thousands of divers… I worked as a dive instructor in the Caribbean… and wear my wrist mounted dive computer on my right wrist. ---
**Author:** ![Fubaya](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/c2a13f/32.png) [@Fubaya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fubaya)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2012, 1:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nixon-diving-watches-left-handed-or-some-quirk-for-diving/633731/16 "2012-09-06T01:29:07Z")
> [@gregorio](#): > > How about this [Seiko SKX007](http://www.amazon.ca/Automatic-Divers-SKX007J1-SKX007J-SKX007/dp/B000RF6QRY/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1346871101&sr=8-3) with the crown at 4:00? If you just can’t decide between 3:00 and 9:00. > > A nice thing about left hand crowns is that it doesn’t dig into your wrist when you’re riding your bicycle and wearing your dinner plate sized watch. I think 4 o’clock is a good position for that reason. I have a Seiko like that that I’ve worn for 16 years and never felt the crown or even really noticed it’s position until I had to send it to Seiko to be fixed in June. I couldn’t find a replacement watch with a 3 o’clock crown that wasn’t torture to wear. > [@Weedy](#): > > The watches in the OP wouldnt be much use for scuba because they dont seem to have a depth gauge. A diver’s watch and a separate depth gauge is how it was done for decades. ---
**Author:** ![UncleRojelio](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/unclerojelio/32/3160_2.png) [@UncleRojelio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UncleRojelio)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2012, 5:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nixon-diving-watches-left-handed-or-some-quirk-for-diving/633731/17 "2012-09-06T05:16:27Z")
I wear both my watch and dive computer on my left wrist. ---
**Author:** ![Digital\_is\_the\_new\_Analog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a88e4f/32.png) [@Digital\_is\_the\_new\_Analog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Digital_is_the_new_Analog)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2012, 2:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nixon-diving-watches-left-handed-or-some-quirk-for-diving/633731/18 "2012-09-07T02:04:23Z")
I wear my dive computer, which looks like a slightly oversized watch, on my left wrist. The same place I wear my regular watch when above water. It never occurred to me that it was a bad place to do so. And I dive routinely with master instructors, and then go drink with them. I expect one of them would have commented on it, even if it was the “there’s a tiny chance it would ever matter, but you should know…” type of thing. -D/a