As one would expect, the J12-365 comes with a high-tech ceramic case and bracelet, a now relatively common choice that was anything but typical when Chanel adopted it. The House has infused a noble touch into this material composed of zirconium dioxide and yttrium powder and boasting exceptional properties. Stainless as well as scratch- and fade-resistant, it acquires a fascinating radiance when polished with diamond powder. For the J12-365, the ceramic is either an intense black or an immaculate white, the two hues that surprised industry observers at their respective launches in 2000 and 2003.
Chanel introduces another source of astonishment in 2014 by launching an exclusive alloy that gives gold a remarkably elegant, pleasingly warm shade of beige. In the J12-365 line, this material appears on the bezel, numerals, hands and crowns of certain models, as an alternative to steel. For women seeking an additional touch of sophistication, Chanel offers versions delicately set with brilliant-cut diamonds : 69 on the inner bezel ring surrounding the dial and 68 on the small seconds sundial. The launch of this exclusively feminine collection comprises eight references in Gabrielle Chanel’s favorite colors : four black and four white. While undeniably moderate in all respects, they nonetheless retain the strength of character of the iconic J12 collection.
Place Vendôme. Gabrielle Chanel lived there in a room at the Ritz Hotel, during World War II and upon returning from Switzerland. The octagonal shape of the square inspired the bottle stopper of the N°5 fragrance in 1921, as well as that of the case and beveled glass of the Première watch – the first ever introduced by Chanel – in 1987.
“The classic bag”: such is the name by which the famous quilted Chanel handbag is known. Gabrielle Chanel drew inspiration from the chains that the nuns of her childhood orphanage used to wear at their belt as key-rings, in creating the double-chain shoulder strap, initially in metal only and later enhanced with leather, now inseparably associated with the handbag. It is variously interpreted in the design of most wristbands of the Première watches.
The collection now welcomes a new quartz Triple Row version. Its particularly slim and elongated steel case measures 15.8 mm wide, 23.6 mm long and 6.2 mm thick. A single black leather strap is woven across the entire length of the chain bracelet that coils three times around the wrist. This Première Triple Row faithfully evokes the “classic handbag”, doubtless more closely than any other model in the collection.
Mademoiselle Privé. That was the sign appearing on the door of Gabrielle Chanel’s office in her couture House on the Rue Cambon in Paris. It is also the name given to a collection of precious watches reinterpreting symbols of objects dear to the designer through a variety of handcrafts : jewelry, enameling, engraving, sculpture, marquetry, embroidery …
Camellia : Mademoiselle’s favorite flower remains an inexhaustible source of inspiration. In the language of flowers, it symbolizes longevity and happiness. Gabrielle Chanel made it an emblem of elegance by launching the fashion for wearing a white camellia in a buttonhole. Ever since, it has been interpreted in many different ways, particularly on jewelry or High Jewelry watches. In the Mademoiselle Privé watch collection, camellias appear set with precious stones, sculpted from gold or mother-of-pearl, embroidered with silk threads or crafted in lacquer according to the Japanese maki-e technique.
Two creations with self-winding movements feature lacquered dials. One bears three raised black camellias with encrusted gold paillons to underscore the outline of the petals. On the other, the camellias are formed by gold paillons against a black background and the three generously sized blooms feature corollae sprinkled with eggshell fragments. Diamond-set yellow gold cases highlight these typically Chanel and highly original works of art.
J12-365
Case : black high-tech ceramic and steel Diameter : 36.5mm Movement : mechanical self-winding, 42h power reserve Functions : hours, minutes, small seconds, date Dial : black with guilloché motif Bracelet : black high-tech ceramic, triple folding clasp Water resistance : 100m
J12-365
Case : white high-tech ceramic and beige gold Diameter : 36.5mm Movement: mechanical self-winding, 42h power reserve Functions : hours, minutes, small seconds, date Dial : opaline white with guilloché motif, diamond-set inner bezel ring and small seconds subdial Bracelet : white high-tech ceramic, triple folding clasp Water resistance : 100m
Première Triple Row
Case : steel, crown set with a cabochon-cut onyx Dimensions : 15.8 x 23.6 x 6.2mm Movement : quartz Functions : hours, minutes Dial : black lacquered Bracelet : steel chain interwoven with black leather Water resistance : 30m
Mademoiselle Privé Camélia Maki-e Dial
Case : yellow gold, bezel set with 60 diamonds, crown set with a cabochon-cut onyx Diameter : 37.5mm Movement : mechanical self-winding, 42h power reserve Functions : hours, minutes Dial : black lacquered, camellias formed by yellow gold paillons, 3 camellias formed by eggshell fragments Strap : black satin, pin buckle set with 80 diamonds Water resistance : 30m
Mademoiselle Privé Camélia Maki-e Dial
Case : yellow gold, bezel set with 60 diamonds, crown set with a cabochon-cut onyx Diameter : 37.5mm Movement : mechanical self-winding, 42h power reserve Functions : hours, minutes Dial : black lacquered, camellias formed by yellow gold paillons Strap : black satin, pin buckle set with 80 diamonds Water resistance : 30m
