Chanel joins forces with Audemars Piguet
The renowned French brand has called on the Le Brassus Manufacture to anchor itself in the Fine Watch segment.
While Chanel needs no introduction in the world of haute couture, the French firm took its first steps into fine watchmaking just a few years ago and, true to its reputation, soon earned its spurs. Unveiled at Baselworld 2005, the J12 by Chanel in white ceramic reached iconic status even before the fair was over.
It remained for the brand to give its creative success the mark of watchmaking nobility in the very high-end segment. Something it has now achieved thanks to a partnership, announced in 2008, with the prestigious Manufacture Audemars Piguet. Their alliance has given rise to a new Chanel calibre, revealed in an automatic J12 watch with three hands, in yellow gold and black ceramic.
Technically speaking, the calibre developed by Audemars Piguet – 278 components in all – is well worth the detour. The Le Brassus firm has focused its attention on precision by creating a cross-through balance cock in addition to a large balance with eight inertia blocks.
Two details that make all the difference, as the watch’s rate can be adjusted without altering the length of the balance spring.
When the crown is pulled out, the balance stop lever is automatically activated. This immediately stops the seconds hand so that the time can be set with extreme precision. “It is a tribute to the roots of the watchmaking tradition,” emphasises Chanel. Not that the brand could resist dressing such technicity in unmistakable Chanel style. The firm has redesigned the balance cock while the gold rotor is crowned with black ceramic. In harmony with the J12 line, black ceramic alternates with yellow gold, on the case, bezel and numerals in particular, to create a truly precious allure.
Diamond-studded perfection
While Chanel may have joined forces with a prestigious name to perfect its watchmaking expertise, it has long mastered the secrets of fine jewellery. Take for proof a limited-edition J12, unveiled at Baselworld and magnificently enveloped in diamonds, Coco Chanel’s favourite stone. As Mademoiselle explained in the 1930s, “I chose diamonds because they represent the greatest value in the smallest volume.” Created for the opening of the new Chanel boutique on Place Vendôme, the fine jewellery J12 qualifies as an extraordinary work of art. A full 713 diamonds for no less than 18 carats embellish this white gold watch. The remarkable invisible setting is the work of craftsmen at Chanel’s workshop in La Chaux de Fonds. Equally remarkable is its bracelet, entirely paved with 502 baguette diamonds for 30 carats. The fine jewellery J12 is a limited edition of 12 individually-numbered pieces.
