Showing up to the Spider-Man: Brand New Day premiere in a Spider-Man graphic tee should be the least thought-provoking outfit choice imaginable. But the watch on Michael B. Jordan's wrist told a different story — a Vacheron Constantin "Prestige de la France," a reference so obscure that even seasoned auction-catalog regulars might not recognize it. The elongated trapezoidal case, paired with a slim crown set with a cabochon stone, gives off vintage Cartier Tank vibes at first glance, but the backstory is distinctly French.
In June 1972, the French cultural organization Comité de Prestige et de Propagande Nationale de France awarded Vacheron Constantin the "Diplôme du Prestige de la France." The brand subsequently designed a namesake watch that distilled everything it did best at the time into one piece: a subtly curved case, a clean dial with nothing but slender baton hands and markers, precious metal construction, and — in early versions — the manual-winding cal. K1050 movement, just 2.8mm thick, featuring a Gyromax free-sprung balance and Geneva Seal-grade finishing.
Jordan's piece is a yellow gold case with a charcoal grey dial, diamonds set along the upper case edge, and a slim polished bezel that strikes just the right balance of warm and cool tones. The way the alligator strap meets the curved lugs recalls certain Gilbert Albert designs for Patek Philippe. The caseback bears a laurel wreath motif and an individual serial number — clear evidence this isn't just another mass-produced piece. The model went through several variations in the 1970s, and the brand revisited it in 2013 with the "1972 Prestige Collection," though the reception was lukewarm at a time when sport-luxury watches dominated the conversation.
Luke Combs' A. Lange & Söhne Zeitwerk Striking Time
Country singer Luke Combs demonstrated exactly how to pull off a high-low mix without looking out of place: a camo trucker hat paired with a pink gold case, spotted at Alan Jackson's farewell tour finale at Nissan Stadium. He wore the 44.2mm Zeitwerk ref. 145.032, featuring a striking mechanism, a mechanical jumping digital display for hours and minutes, a power reserve indicator, and a small seconds subdial. The transparent caseback reveals the finely finished constant-force escapement — one of Lange's most iconic designs from the 2010s.
