8 Great Asymmetrical Watches At European Watch Company

We are all so used to typical watch shapes. Most watches are circular, but there are many watches with rectangular, square and even tonneau case shapes on the market. More recently, there has been a renewed interested in watches with asymmetrical cases. Not quite square or circular, these watches inject style and creativity into the case construction itself. Because of the renewed popularity of asymmetrical watches, we thought we would take a look at 8 of our favorites, including modern and vintage pieces.

Cartier Crash 2019 Reissue

Price: $265,000-$275,000, Case Size: 22.5mm, Thickness: 8.4mm, Lug-to-Lug: 38.5mm, Lug Width: N.A., Water Resistance: 30M, Crystal: Sapphire, Movement: Manual Winding, Material: Yellow Gold.

When it comes to asymmetrical watches, the Cartier Crash sits at the top. It is currently enjoying a moment in watch culture (and pop culture) unlike any other watch. And we understand why. The Dali-esque case looks like it’s melting on your wrist. In recent years, we have also seen Cartier expand the Crash collection, including adding variations with skeletonized dials and gems. But all versions of the Crash have become incredibly sought-after, resulting in sky high prices. You will be hard-pressed to find any for under $250,000 on the secondary market.  

Read our full review of the Cartier Crash 2019 Reissue here.

Cartier Prive Cloche

Price: $44,000-$46,000, Case Size: 37mm, Thickness: 6.5mm, Lug-to-Lug: 28mm, Lug Width: N.A., Water Resistance: 30M, Crystal: Sapphire, Movement: Manual Winding, Material: Platinum.

Cartier is truly the king of asymmetrical watches. They are one of the only brands that offers multiple asymmetrical pieces in their current catalog. While not as sought after as the Crash, the Cloche is still a very popular model in the brand’s catalog. On the left side of the Cloche, it looks like the Tank, with a rectangular shape. On the right side, it has a more traditional circular case shape. Combined, it’s a funky asymmetrical dress watch that has become increasingly more popular in recent years. 

Check out our full review of the Cartier Prive Cloche here.

Cartier Tank Asymetrique Ref. WGTA0043

Price: $58,000-$62,000, Case Size: 32mm, Thickness: 9.2mm, Lug-to-Lug: 42mm, Lug Width: N.A., Water Resistance: 30M, Crystal: Sapphire, Movement: Manual Winding, Material: Rose Gold.

The final Cartier on this list is probably the most conventional, yet still asymmetrical. I mean it’s named the Asymetrique. This asymmetrical piece is actually a variation of the tank. Its rectangular shape is offset, creating lugs that aren’t flush with each other. In addition to the offset case, the indexes are also offset. 12 o’clock is located at the top right corner of the dial, giving the watch added visual interest.

Patek Philippe Gilbert Albert Ref. 3424

Price: N.A., Case Size: 27mm, Thickness: 8mm, Lug-to-Lug: 39mm, Lug Width: 22mm, Water Resistance: N.A., Crystal: Sapphire, Movement: Manual Winding, Material: White Gold.

bet you didn’t know that Patek Philippe has an asymmetrical watch in its archive. While they don’t currently produce the watch, the Ref 3424 “Gilbert Albert” is a very form-before-function design for Patek Philippe. The art deco design includes a two-stepped case with offset lugs (like the Tank Asymetrique). However, the Ref. 3424 has a more curved design with less sharp edges. It’s a must for any Patek collector that enjoys their vintage pieces. 

Rolex Cellini King Midas

Price: $10,000-$15,000, Case Size: 28mm, Thickness: 5mm, Lug-to-Lug: 28mm, Lug Width: N.A., Water Resistance: N.A., Crystal: Sapphire, Movement: Manual Winding, Material: Yellow Gold.

Beyond the Cartier Crash, when you think of asymmetrical watches, you probably think of the Rolex Cellini King Midas. Besides being unlike any other watch Rolex has released, the King Midas is famous for having been worn by Elvis Presly. The watch features fairly standard rectangular case construction, except for the triangular protrusion on the left side of the case, where the crown sits. It gives off lots of 60s vibes, and that’s why we love it so much.

Audemars Piguet [Re]master Ref. 15240SG

Price: $120,000-$130,000, Case Size: 41mm, Thickness: 9.7mm, Lug-to-Lug: N.A., Lug Width: N.A., Water Resistance: 30M, Crystal: Sapphire, Movement: Automatic Winding, Material: Sand Gold.

Earlier this year, much to the surprise of many in the watch industry, Audemars Piguet decided to jump on the asymmetrical watch bandwagon. But perhaps it really shouldn’t have been that surprising at all. The Audemars Piguet Remaster may seem out of place for a brand that relies so heavily on the Royal Oak and Code 11:59 collections. But when you look at the archives, you can see how closely the Remaster resembles the original piece, first released in the 1960s. The offset case and partially sloped crystal are a delight. This piece will surely be a conversation starter on your wrist. 

Urwerk UR-120 “Spock”

Price: $74,000-$78,000, Case Size: 47mm, Thickness: 15.8mm, Lug-to-Lug: 44mm, Lug Width: N.A., Water Resistance: 30M, Crystal: Sapphire, Movement: Automatic Winding, Material: Titanium and Steel.

When you think of funky, futuristic, and yes, oddly shaped watches, you might think of Urwerk. These watches truly look like something out of Star Trek, but in the best possible way. I mean the Urwerk UR-120 has been lovingly nicknamed “Spock” by the collectors community. This stunning asymmetrical piece includes a wandering hours complication where the correct hour rotates to the minutes display to easily display the time. While the watch is on the larger side, it is fashioned from sandblasted carbon and stainless steel, making it an easy wear. If you want something truly different, the Urwerk UR-120 is worthing checking out. 

Read our review of the Urwerk UR-120 “Spock” here.

Vacheron Constantin Ref. 37010/000g

Price: $15,000-$20,000, Case Size: 26mm, Thickness: 7mm, Lug-to-Lug: 36mm, Lug Width: N.A., Water Resistance: 30M, Crystal: Sapphire, Movement: Manual Winding, Material: White Gold.

When you first look at the Vacheron Constantin Ref. 37010/000g you might notice something is askew. This fairly simple watch looks like a standard rectangular watch, except that the left side of the case is longer than the right side. The asymmetrical nature of the case is fairly slight, so you might not even notice it at first. But that’s why we like it so much. With the market full of Cartier Tanks, and Tank-like watches, seeing a less serious take on the watch is always appreciated.