Discover the Latest CHANEL References Showcased at Watches and Wonders 2024

At Watches and Wonders 2024, Chanel has unveiled its latest collection, fusing elegance with innovation. Highlighting alluring pink editions, remarkable calibres, the Couture o’Clock capsule collection, and more, Chanel has reaffirmed its haute horlogerie prowess. 

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GMT India examines in detail the sophistication and exquisite craftsmanship of these timepieces.

Chanel Couture O’Clock

CHANEL's Couture O'Clock watch collection is a tribute to haute couture. Inspired by the iconic Rue Cambon ateliers in Paris, each of the 20 pieces intricately weaves in elements like thimbles, threads, scissors, and measuring tapes. 

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Within this collection, the limited-edition J12 WHITE STAR COUTURE WATCH features diamonds on white ceramic baguettes. Inspired by Gabrielle Chanel's couture atelier, the J12 COUTURE WORKSHOP AUTOMATON CALIBER 6 WATCH brings Mademoiselle Chanel's figurine to life against a diamond-adorned backdrop. Equipped with the Caliber 6 movement, it animates Mademoiselle’s silhouette at the push of a button. The MADEMOISELLE J12 COUTURE WATCH, with a silhouette of Mademoiselle on the dial and baguette-cut diamonds on the bezel, incorporates moving golden motifs into its rear disc.

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The new J12 COUTURE 33MM watch boasts a highly resistant white ceramic construction, accentuated by features in black and a bezel adorned with baguette-cut diamonds. Its unique design incorporates motifs such as toile à patron, with scissors and needle-shaped hands. Additional variants feature black or white lacquered dials, framed by a tape measure motif.

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Featuring unique designs, other wristwatches include the MADEMOISELLE PRIVÉ BOUTON GABRIELLE WATCH, with a button in 18 ct yellow gold and onyx, concealing a black lacquer dial, and a bezel adorned with 18 ct yellow gold and diamonds. Similarly, the BOBBIN CUFF COUTURE, inspired by a spool of thread, showcases a dial set with diamonds beneath an emerald-cut yellow sapphire. The 18 ct yellow gold cuff is embellished with a graphic pattern of interlocking lines, interspersed with diamonds.

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The PREMIÈRE CHARMS COUTURE WATCH reinterprets the classic CHANEL bag chain with a woven leather bracelet adorned with charms: a spool of thread, a thimble, and a figurine of Mademoiselle in steel, coated with yellow gold and black lacquer. Also on offer is the PREMIÈRE RUBAN COUTURE WATCH, featuring a tape measure motif on a double-wrapped black-and-gold leather strap. Its titanium and 18 ct yellow gold case is embellished with a charm of Mademoiselle in yellow gold and black lacquer, accented with a diamond.

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The BOY·FRIEND COUTURE WATCH showcases the iconic CHANEL tweed jacket pattern on its dial, complemented by 8 diamond buttons and a silver braid accent. Its bezel features an 18 ct gold chain, reminiscent of those sewn into CHANEL jackets. Meanwhile, the new CODE COCO COUTURE watch boasts a black-and-gold leather strap adorned with motifs of a thimble, a spool of thread, and scissors. It features two black lacquer dials, one of them boasting a princess-cut diamond.

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The CHANEL Watchmaking Creation Studio has also introduced the extraordinary MADEMOISELLE PRIVÉ PINCUSHION collection, inspired by the pincushion. Each watch features a remarkable case beneath a crystal. Crafted in gold, diamonds, mother-of-pearl, and onyx, these exceptional timepieces reflect skilled artistry. Limited editions, each with five pieces, include the CUFF COUTURE, the RING COUTURE, and the LONG NECKLACE COUTURE. The dial displays a quilted motif with 18 ct yellow gold pins, adorned with 24 cultured pearls. 

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Talking about watch necklaces, the SAFETY PIN LONG NECKLACE COUTURE features a safety pin in 18 ct yellow gold, bedecked with diamonds, creating a stunning long necklace design. Its dial is elegantly nestled within the pin. Similarly, the THIMBLE LONG NECKLACE COUTURE showcases a thimble in 18 ct yellow gold, also embellished with diamonds; there’s a concealed diamond-set dial. The collection additionally features the BUST LONG NECKLACE COUTURE, where a couture dummy covered with diamond snow-setting and 18 ct yellow gold embodies the essence of a long necklace while concealing a black lacquer dial within its waist.

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Lastly, the MUSICAL CLOCK COUTURE WORKSHOP, inspired by Chanel's rue Cambon atelier, sits atop of the collection. It orchestrates couture busts to "My Woman" by Al Bowlly, a favourite of Mademoiselle Chanel. Evoking her apartment, it features a diamond-droplet chandelier, sofa-inspired plinth, and gold embellishments. Its unique mechanism is wound by a diamond-adorned key on a gold chain, displaying time on a tape measure. This masterpiece combines a musical box, clock, and automaton, crafted by skilled artisans for a blend of technical and aesthetic sophistication.

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J12 Caliber 12.1 and 12.2 Watches

In 2022, CHANEL unveiled the J12 33MM watch, featuring the revolutionary Caliber 12.2 movement, designed by Arnaud Chastaingt and COSC-certified with a 50-hour power reserve. The following year, CHANEL introduced the J12 CALIBER 12.1 watch, marrying 18ct yellow gold with black or white ceramic, also COSC-certified with a 70-hour power reserve. Now, in 2024, CHANEL has elevated both models with diamond accents, exemplifying precision and elegance. Variants include the J12 CALIBER 12.1 BLACK AND WHITE WATCHES and the J12 CALIBER 12.2 DIAMONDS, MOTHER-OF-PEARL, AND BEZEL WITH DIAMONDS WATCHES.

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J12 Diamond Tourbillon Caliber 5

The J12 DIAMOND TOURBILLON watch from CHANEL, unveiled in 2022, seamlessly combines advanced technology with refined beauty. Created in-house, the Caliber 5 represents a significant achievement as a top-tier flying tourbillon movement. Led by Arnaud Chastaingt, Director of the CHANEL Watchmaking Creation Studio, it was meticulously crafted in Paris and assembled at the CHANEL Swiss Manufacture. Adorned with a lion's head, symbolic of CHANEL's excellence in watchmaking, the exposed mechanism showcases intricate detailing visible from both the front and the back. Noteworthy is the solitaire diamond at the centre of the flying tourbillon cage, its brilliance enhanced by precise cutting, captivatingly rotating with each passing second. For W&W 2024, the brand has introduced a new rendition of the J12 Diamond Tourbillon, featuring matte black and white ceramic options in an elegant 38 mm size. With a skeletonised dial and visible mechanism, the watch exudes sophistication, while the tourbillon cage, adorned with a diamond and 29 rubies, ensures water resistance of up to 50 metres.

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Monsieur. Superleggera Intense Black Edition

The MONSIEUR watch, designed exclusively for men, redefines the standards of haute horlogerie and features the Caliber 1. The new all-black SUPERLEGGERA edition exudes the streamlined sophistication of racing cars. Crafted with a highly durable ceramic and steel case and bezel, coated in black, the piece boasts a steel and sapphire crystal caseback, engraved with "LIMITED TO 100". Its matte black guilloché dial and steel crown with black coating add to its allure. Complemented by a black nylon strap with calfskin leather trim and lining, secured by a steel triple-folding buckle with black coating, the watch is water-resistant for up to 30 metres. Powered by a manual-winding mechanical movement, it incorporates two integrated complications for instant jumping hour and 240° retrograde minute display.

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Première Cuff Watch and Sautoir-Belt Watch

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Since 1987, CHANEL Watchmaking has redefined norms with the iconic PREMIÈRE watch, integrating the N°5 perfume bottle's octagonal stopper and the quilted handbag's chain into its design. At W&W 2024, the CHANEL Watchmaking Creation Studio has introduced two limited editions, inspired by the PREMIÈRE ÉDITION ORIGINALE. These editions honour the original's boldness, offering innovative fashion accessories. The PREMIÈRE CUFF boasts a generous chain and leather surround, while the PREMIÈRE SAUTOIR-BELT resembles a pocket watch, both driven by high-precision quartz movements.

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Pink Edition

Gabrielle Chanel's collections prominently feature the colour pink that has played a significant role in her life. Four outstanding designs have been crafted this year, presenting new editions of the J12 and BOY·FRIEND watches. These designs elegantly display variations of the delicate pink shade, complemented by CHANEL's signature BEIGE GOLD.

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The limited-edition J12 X-RAY PINK EDITION WATCH, numbered to 12, showcases a pink sapphire crystal construction with an 18 ct beige gold case. Its fixed bezel boasts 46 baguette-cut pink sapphires totalling 5.61 carats, complementing the 12 baguette-cut pink sapphires on the sapphire crystal dial. 

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The J12 PINK EDITION WATCH, limited to 55 pieces, combines highly resistant white ceramic with an 18 ct beige gold case. Its bezel also features 46 baguette-cut pink sapphires totaling 4.04 carats, enhancing the white dial's elegance with 12 baguette-cut pink sapphires.

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Limited to 55 pieces each, the BOY·FRIEND SKELETON X-RAY PINK EDITION WATCH and the BOY·FRIEND SKELETON PINK EDITION WATCH both exhibit exceptional craftsmanship. The former features a case and a bezel crafted from pink sapphire crystal with 18 ct beige gold accents, while the latter showcases an 18 ct beige gold case adorned with pink sapphire baguettes. Both watches are complemented by pink quilted pattern calfskin leather straps with gold lining and secured with 18 ct beige gold triple-folding buckles.

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CHANEL has also unveiled the Limited Edition SEATED LION LONG NECKLACE, featuring a lion crafted in 18 ct yellow gold atop a pedestal adorned with baguette-cut diamonds. The watch's black lacquer dial is diligently guarded by this regal symbol. Additionally, the necklace boasts an 18 ct yellow gold chain embellished with hand-faceted onyx beads, diamonds, and onyx tube beads set in gold.

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