It is comon knowledge in Israel, that since Rav Elyashiv Z”L was nifter, anyone who visits R’ Chaim Kanievsky is asked to remove his wristwatch, because R’ Chaim quoted in the name of the Chazon Ish that wearing ANY type of wristwatch is considered “Beged Isha”. This is because it is not the type of watch that’s beged isha but the concept of wearing a wristwatch. (mods – please dont post the expected retorts like “women wear shoes too, so maybe we should wear shoes”).
The reason this happened only after Rav Elyasiv was nifter is because R’ Elyasiv disagreed with this psak, (as many of the pictures of him clearly show him wearing a wristwatch.
I also heard that R’ Nissen Korelitz Shlit”a said that the chazon is only meant “jewelry style” watches (even gold chosson watches) not simple watches. But Jewelry type watches are forbidden even if they are exclusively mens styles. [I have heard this but never confirmed it].
Menu