What do the Godfather and Star-Lord have in common?
Besides being iconic movie characters, they are played by actors who double-wrist. What is double-wristing? Don’t worry if you haven’t heard of it. It’s a newer name for a practice that’s been around for years.
Marlon Brando and Chris Pratt are among the many people who’ve double-wristed. In other words, they’ve worn two watches at the same time. And they aren’t alone.
The reasons for double-wristing vary as widely as the double watch user. From Billie Eilish to Diego Maradona, people around the world have been spotted sported dual watches.
But—and here is the big question for many—why?
The “Double Writsting” Debate
The debate over double-wristing is real, especially among watch connoisseurs. Some see it as superfluous and pretentious while others see it as innovative and fashionable.
Arguments aside, one thing seems to be clear. Double-wristing has been around for a long time and it isn’t going anywhere.
So, back to that looming question: why would anyone wear two watches?
Actually, there are a few reasons.
Table of Contents
Reasons for Wearing Two Watches
Doubling Down On Style
Fashion trends come and go, but the fact that style is the ultimate way of self-expression has been a steady anchor of social societies since the dawn of fig leaves. Some fashion trends like bombasting are happily in the past. And some people wish trends like double-wristing would be too.
But, luckily for the fashion-minded and watch-loving folks, sporting two timepieces seem to be here for the long haul.
You don’t have to be an actor or fashion icon like India’s Amitahb Bachchan to look suave at your next soirée. Simply don a watch on each wrist and let your timekeepers tell the world you know your style.
Want to look like Carrie Underwood? Simply slap on two watches and you’re on your way.
Celebrity watch collectors like Bradley Cooper, Ellen DeGeneres, and Rocky himself—the iconic Sylvester Stallone—all attest to the sleek style of a well-made and worn watch. But why only wear one watch when you have two wrists and can be twice as fashionable?
Dual Functionality
For the more functionally-minded folk, there are also great reasons to double wrist. Want to wear a smartwatch that keeps your appointment, texts, and music smiling up at you, yet still have a watch face that only tells time?
Strap on your favorite smartwatch on one wrist and your beloved mechanical one on the other.
It’s the best of both worlds. You can even wear two watches on the same wrist.
In fact, German watchmaker Sinn is taking double-wristing to new heights by offering a watch with a dual strap system that allows you to wear their mechanical watch AND a smartwatch on the same strap.
But what if you can’t choose between a smartwatch and a fitness tracker? Easy. Wear both.
Mind. Blown.
Sentimental Value
We love our watches. And sometimes, they take on a deeper meaning, as with the case of Princess Diana.
In 1981, Lady Di was seen wearing two watches at Guards Polo Club in Windsor. The reason? One of them belonged to her then-fiancé Prince Charles. The princess wore it as a tribute to him in hopes it would bring him good luck while he played.
Missing that special someone whose watch sits in your drawer, but still wants to stay abreast of your appointments and contacts? No worries. Wear them both and keep your heart happy.
Tracking Two Time Zones
While there are plenty of watches on the market that display two time zones – including Dual Time that display two different times at the same time on the dial, GMT watches that display the second time using a GMT hand that looks like an extra second hand. There are also smartwatches that can display dual time. However, some people are more traditional and just prefer having two separate watches, normally one on each wrist.
One of the most well-known personalities representing this trend is the late Herbert Norman Schwarzkopf Jr., a former United States Army general. His habit of wearing two watches came to be common knowledge – he was often in the public eye during the Gulf War and many TV viewers were puzzled by his watches on either wrist.
He was quoted as saying
I always wore two watches during the [Gulf] war. The one on my left arm was set on Saudi Arabian time and the Seiko on my right arm was set on Eastern Standard Time. That way I could quickly glance at my watches and instantly know the time in both Saudi Arabia and Washington, D.C.
Just Because
Do you need a good reason to hold an adorable puppy? Never.
And sometimes, like Johnny Depp, we do it while wearing two watches. Why? Just because.
You don’t have to have a reason to want to wear two watches. That’s one of the beauties of double-wristing. There are no qualifiers. Don’t care about fashion? Don’t have any sentimental watches? Got more than one watch you adore?
It’s all good. Simply slap on your two favorite watches and go. Just because.
It’s that simple.
Would You Wear Two Watches?
It’s clear that double-wristing is a real thing. I mean, it’s even on got its own spot on UrbanDictionary.com.
But the question is, could it be your thing?
Whether you value fashion, functionality, sentimentality, or you want to just because it totally can be.
And the best news is that there’s no wrong way to double-watch. Wear a mechanical watch and a smartwatch. Wear two of the same kind. Wear both on one wrist or one on each wrist. We’ve even seen people wear a watch on their wrist and the other on their ankles (though we don’t recommend it on rainy days).
