At Watches & Wonders 2024, Chanel mesmerized enthusiasts with its latest watch innovations, seamlessly blending tradition and modernity. The event, renowned as the annual showcase of watchmaking novelties, unfolded from April 9 to 15, spotlighting the industry’s cutting-edge creations. Chanel emerged as a frontrunner, presenting a collection brimming with poetic allure and groundbreaking innovation.
Paying homage to its esteemed workshops, Chanel introduced a captivating capsule collection, the Chanel Couture O’Clock. This collection artfully intertwines the worlds of Haute Couture and horology, transforming iconic tools of fashion craftsmanship such as pins, thimbles, and buttons into exquisite timepieces and jewelry. Among the highlights is a striking musical clock crafted from onyx, gold, and diamonds, reminiscent of the graphic ambiance of Rue Cambon workshops. Operated by a key mounted on a diamond-studded gold chain, this unique piece unveils a tape measure to read the time, accompanied by a choreography of couture busts swaying to the melody of “My Woman,” a favored tune of Coco Chanel.
The allure of Chanel’s famed J12 watches continued to captivate enthusiasts with their elegance and ingenuity. The J12 WHITE STAR COUTURE, adorned with a dress of white ceramic baguettes and diamonds, exuded sheer sophistication. Additionally, the debut of the J12 ATELIER COUTURE AUTOMATE CALIBRE 6 showcased a dial akin to a moving painting, depicting the silhouette of Mademoiselle Chanel amidst her sewing tools. Limited to 100 pieces, this masterpiece, powered by Calibre 6, offers a remarkable horological experience, meticulously crafted in Switzerland.
Furthermore, Chanel’s J12 COUTURE collection introduced a range of models, including the MONTRE MADEMOISELLE J12 COUTURE and the J12 COUTURE 33MM and 38MM, each reflecting the craftsmanship and motifs of the Chanel couture atelier. From refined design to technical prowess, Chanel’s J12 watches embody a harmonious blend of aesthetics and watchmaking expertise.
Amidst the display of tradition and modernity, Chanel revisited its iconic timepieces with a contemporary twist. The PREMIÈRE watch, a staple in Chanel’s repertoire since 1987, received a reinterpretation in two limited editions: the PREMIÈRE Manchette watch and the PREMIÈRE Sautoir-Ceinture watch. These daring creations retain the essence of the Première watch while offering fresh styles reminiscent of fashion accessories.
Enriching the Boy-Friend collection, Chanel unveiled the Boy-Friend Squelette X-RAY, featuring a subtly pink sapphire case and an elegant movement, embodying the fusion of poetry and haute horlogerie.
The love affair between Haute Couture and watchmaking-jewelry is epitomized in Chanel’s MANCHETTE BOBINE COUTURE, inspired by the spool of thread, and the CODE COCO COUTURE watch, boasting an exclusive design with a black strap lined with gold leather imprinted with thimble, thread spool, or scissors motifs.
Chanel’s presence at Watches & Wonders 2024 once again reaffirms the House’s commitment to excellence and innovation in the realm of watchmaking. Through a delicate interplay of tradition and modernity, Chanel continues to captivate and astonish watch aficionados worldwide.
