The right-handed side of our wonderful watch community has no shortage of watches, but sometimes the search becomes a bit more challenging for left-handers. These watches may not always be designed with left-handed needs in mind, but rather for additional watch protection. Such watches are rare, and today we will look at the five best examples in this category.
Sinn Pilot Watch EZM 3F
The Sinn pilot is an undecorated, rugged pilot watch. The matte black dial is simple and adorned only with the Sinn logo at the top and the Ar inscription at the bottom. The minute hand is syringe-shaped, while the hour hand resembles a sword. The date window is located between the “3 o'clock” and “4 o'clock” marks. The Ar stamp indicates the dehumidifying technology that prevents the watch from fogging up, maintaining pristine visibility. Additionally, there is reliable magnetic field protection, allowing the watch to maintain accuracy regardless of varying degrees of magnetism. The bezel is equipped with a ratchet mechanism and a countdown timer that counts down from 60 minutes.
The top of the watch features a sapphire crystal, which, along with other elements, makes the watch pressure-resistant up to 20 bar. The case is bead-blasted, and the back cover is screwed down, giving these left-handed watches water resistance up to 200 meters.
The back cover is also nickel-free, helping to avoid possible allergies or skin irritations. The Sinn watch, measuring 41 mm, is perfect for most wrists, and the black leather strap gives it a classic look. The ETA 2824-2 movement is a mechanical favorite for many. It features 25 jewels and operates at a frequency of 28,800 vibrations per hour, allowing it to keep time accurately, approximately up to +6 seconds per day.
Panerai Luminor Marina
The all-black Luminor Marina is the epitome of class. The stainless steel bezel has a black PVD coating that gives the watch a solid look and a sense of reliability. At 44 mm, the case is quite large, but it is well-balanced and made of carbon, so you won't feel weighed down.
The flat crown, located on the left specifically for left-handers, is protected by a curved bridge that securely locks and protects the crown. The natural calfskin strap is tastefully stitched and features a buckle clasp. The black dial has white indices engraved with Arabic numerals: 6, 9, and 12 o'clock. At the “3 o'clock” position, there is a second sub-dial with an elegant leaf-shaped hand. The Luminor model uses the Panerai OP II manual winding movement based on the ETA 6497-2 with 17 jewels. The frequency is 21,600, and the higher quality version of the ETA 6497 boasts a quiet and smooth operation. The 56-hour power reserve is generous and means your time will remain current for some time without winding.
There are no new Luminor models, as only 1000 pieces were originally released, so these watches come with a fairly high price tag. Thanks to the screw-down back cover, the watch boasts an impressive water resistance of 300 meters.
Tudor Pelagos
The Tudor Pelagos watch is not new to the watch world, but it is typically known for its crown located on the right side. The design team decided to release a watch with a left-sided crown to meet the demands of left-handed customers while also appealing to more functional divers who are right-handed.
The watch case measures 42 mm and is made of titanium. Titanium is relatively rare in watches, and this lightweight yet nail-hard metal is a sign of a watch designed for use. The satin finish of the case gives a soft touch to the robust appearance. The unidirectional bezel features a ceramic insert with beige luminescent coating. The screw-down crown has a sleek pointed guard, and at the “3 o'clock” position, there is a helium release valve.
The hour markers on the black dial and minute markers on the chapter ring create a textured three-dimensional look on the dial, accented by the grainy matte style of the dial itself. At the “3 o'clock” position, there is a date window displayed in red, and snowflake hands with blue lume light the way.
The bracelet features a unique Tudor clasp, but a rubber strap is also included if you prefer it over the stainless steel bracelet. The self-winding movement features a bi-directional rotor with a massive 70-hour power reserve. The water resistance of 500 meters means you can wear these watches practically anywhere.
Dievas Vortex Tactical
These watches boast military precision, so it's no surprise that members of a tactical team participated in their development. German engineering influence is noticeable in the overall shape and style. The matte black dial has clear outlines and is easy to read. At the “3” and “9 o'clock” positions, there are two linear markers dividing the dial in half, with the remaining indices being large white Arabic numerals. The watch hands and Arabic numerals are coated with SuperLumiNova luminescent material for clear and quick time reading.
The 4 mm thick sapphire crystal is covered with an anti-reflective layer, ensuring the dial is always clearly visible. The combination of high-quality titanium and premium glass means there are no flaws on the watch that I discovered, considering I don't exactly use them as intended. The case is made of grade 5 titanium, measuring 44 mm in diameter and 14 mm in thickness. The crown is positioned at the “8 o'clock” position and has a protective hood for additional protection. The NATO strap, I'm sure, will hold up well in harsh conditions and with regular use.
The price for these watches is extremely competitive, and if you have a large wrist, it will be worthwhile to spend some time learning more about the Vortex. As if that weren't enough, the watch is equipped with the ETA 2824-2 movement, so in addition to German design, you have a reliable Swiss movement that keeps time accurately.
Tag Heuer Monaco Calibre 11
Monaco first launched its engine decades ago, and in this release, the vintage racer wants to stylishly cross the finish line once again. The square case measures 39 mm x 39 mm and is made of stainless steel with fine brushing and some polished details. The steel screw-down crown and steel buttons controlling the chronograph are flawlessly polished, contrasting with the matte case. The crown is positioned at the “9 o'clock” position and features an embossed Heuer logo.
The sapphire crystal protects the exquisitely designed dial, and the sapphire crystal case back offers a view of the innovative Calibre 11 movement, the first waterproof square case and the first automatic chronograph. Calibre 11 is Swiss-made, operates at a speed of 28,800 vibrations per hour, and is equipped with an incredible 59 jewels, protecting this model for a long time. The dial is matte blue with a minute chronograph counter at the “9 o'clock” position and a running seconds counter at the “3 o'clock” position.
The indices are arranged horizontally, giving the dial a look that matches the square aesthetic of the piece. Luminous dots are positioned across the dial at each hour, as well as on the hour hands with red markings. The chronograph second hand is completely highlighted in red. The black calfskin strap completes the vintage look, as expected, and closes with a steel folding clasp.
The Monaco watch will not come cheap, but you will get one of the most iconic models on the market. It doesn't hurt that it's truly a high-quality watch.
Concluding Thoughts
There is a reasonable degree of use for left-handed products that goes beyond mere functionality for left-handers. They are useful if you lead an active lifestyle and expect to frequently bend your left wrist, much like right-handers, which is often beneficial for divers and when using firearms.
I would not recommend these watches for adventurous use, as they fall into the luxury category, but if you simply cannot resist, I am sure they will not disappoint. The clear display of craftsmanship in the above items also shows that the left side of the watch collecting spectrum cannot say they are forgotten, as there is genuine quality to be found if you look for it, even if the right side dominates the more affordable varieties of the watch industry.
