diff --git a/lib/retest/options.rb b/lib/retest/options.rb
index 7122fba..1192f84 100644
--- a/lib/retest/options.rb
+++ b/lib/retest/options.rb
@@ -70,6 +70,14 @@ class Options
       convert :list
     end
 
+    option :watcher do
+      desc "Tool used to watch file events"
+      permit %i[listen watchexec]
+      long "--watcher=<WATCHER>"
+      short "-w"
+      convert :sym
+    end
+
     flag :all do
       long "--all"
       desc "Run all the specs of a specificied ruby setup"
@@ -160,6 +168,10 @@ def extensions
       params[:exts]
     end
 
+    def watcher
+      params[:watcher] || :listen
+    end
+
     def extensions_regex
       Regexp.new("\\.(?:#{extensions.join("|")})$")
     end
diff --git a/test/retest/options/help.txt b/test/retest/options/help.txt
index 4b5f9bf..0a43a4d 100644
--- a/test/retest/options/help.txt
+++ b/test/retest/options/help.txt
@@ -24,6 +24,8 @@ Options:
       --rspec              Shortcut for a standard RSpec setup
       --ruby               Shortcut for a Ruby project
   -v, --version            Print retest version
+  -w, --watcher=<WATCHER>  Tool used to watch file events (permitted: listen,
+                           watchexec)
 
 Examples:
   Runs a matching rails test after a file change
diff --git a/test/retest/options_test.rb b/test/retest/options_test.rb
index 65aa604..24e1479 100644
--- a/test/retest/options_test.rb
+++ b/test/retest/options_test.rb
@@ -85,5 +85,25 @@ def test_all_version_copy
       assert_equal %w[--notify --rake --all], copy.args
       refute_equal copy.object_id, @subject.object_id
     end
+
+    def test_listener
+      @subject.args = %w[--watcher=watchexec]
+      assert_equal :watchexec, @subject.watcher
+
+      @subject.args = %w[-w watchexec]
+      assert_equal :watchexec, @subject.watcher
+
+      @subject.args = %w[--watcher=listen]
+      assert_equal :listen, @subject.watcher
+
+      @subject.args = %w[-w listen]
+      assert_equal :listen, @subject.watcher
+
+      @subject.args = %w[-w hello]
+      assert_equal :listen, @subject.watcher
+
+      @subject.args = %w[] # default when no listeners are install by default
+      assert_equal :listen, @subject.watcher
+    end
   end
 end
\ No newline at end of file