Vacheron Constantin Prestige De La France

Vacheron Constantin did something unusual in the early 1970s. Instead of refining an existing shape, they questioned whether symmetry was necessary at all.

The Prestige de la France was created during a period when French design institutions encouraged makers to express national identity through form rather than decoration. Vacheron’s response was straightforward. Change the shape, keep everything else honest, and let the design stand on its own.

The asymmetrical case makes that decision immediately clear. Measuring 18 × 37mm in 18k yellow gold, the case stretches vertically and curves along the wrist, wearing longer than it is wide and slimmer than its size suggests. The left and right sides are intentionally different. One side feels fuller, the other more tapered, giving the watch a sense of movement even when it is still. It sits comfortably on a wide range of wrists and works just as naturally on a man as it does on a woman.

That thinking carries through to the original black alligator strap. Rather than correcting the imbalance, the strap follows it, shaped to complement the case instead of neutralizing it. It feels considered in a way most straps do not, and it reinforces the idea that this watch was designed as a whole, not assembled from parts.

Inside is Vacheron Constantin’s ultra-thin, manual-wound calibre 1050. Vacheron has long been known for thin mechanical movements, and here that skill is used as a practical tool. The slim movement allows the case to stay close to the wrist, avoiding unnecessary height and keeping the proportions clean. Nothing about the movement is trying to impress on paper. It simply enables the design to work.

The champagne dial stays disciplined. Vertical brushing adds texture without clutter, catching light as the case curves. Applied baton indices are evenly spaced and easy to read, while the printed black Vacheron Constantin signature matches the black cabochon crown at three o’clock. It is a small decision, but one that quietly ties the dial and case together.

On the caseback, the watch states its purpose clearly. The engraving features the laurel-leaf emblem of the Prestige de la France association, encircling the words “Prestige de la France.” This mark was reserved for objects selected to represent French craftsmanship through design and execution, and it feels entirely appropriate here.

As asymmetrical watches from Patek Philippe, Cartier, and others continue to dominate auction headlines, this model has quietly stayed out of the frenzy. It has yet to fully capture mainstream attention, which means it can still be acquired at price points well below where comparable pieces are trading publicly. That window may not last, but for now, it remains one of the more compelling opportunities in this corner of design-led watchmaking.

This is Vacheron Constantin using technical skill to support form, not overshadow it.