An antenna system for a wearable electronic device includes a first conductive surface constructed from a segment of outer housing of the wearable electronic device. The first conductive surface spans a first axis through the wearable electronic device. The antenna system also includes a second conductive surface that spans the first axis. The second conductive surface is constructed from a set of contacting metal components that are internal to the wearable electronic device. The first and second conductive surfaces are separated by a space. The antenna system also has a contact element having a feeding element that connects the first conductive surface to the second conductive surface along a plane that is normal to the first conductive surface.