The new Chanel boutique reveals its latest creations!
Attired himself in his iconic navy blue jacket and white clutch bag, Frank sans C had a meeting in May 18th with Frédéric Grangié, the Chanel's CEO Watches and Jewellery, for an exclusive interview. Highly symbolic date, the boutique reopened after two years of renovation work. The opportunity of a private visit of the places to discover the new Maison’s watchmaking creations.
A new case for the Chanel creations
Frank sans C who sees the Chanel boutique’s first day of reopening first-hand (in May 18th, of course), acts as a guide in this legendary Parisian location for our greatest pleasure. The Chanel boutique at 18 place Vendôme looks like a new one after two years of renovation. Masterfully directed by the architect Peter Marino, it needed many trade to make this place, a precious case for the Maison’s creations.
Works of art among works of art
At the entrance, we are captivated by this vestibule with transparent walls that allow the different shades of gold, beige and brown colours to be seen. This harmonious whole contrasts with the black lacquered and gold weave reliefs walls. All this is inspired by the historical appartment of Gabrielle Chanel located at 30 rue Cambon. Further away, a tribute to the Vendôme column, « La Borne », majestic sculpture of approximatively 3 m high made by Johan Creten, is proudly put in the centre of an atrium with golden walls. Here, the work of art meet the jewellery and watchmaking creations of the brand. Just like « Coco in Diamonds » made by Vik Muniz which represents the portrait of Mademoiselle Chanel.
The realm of the Haute Horlogerie
The visit does not stop here. To go upstairs, we need to take the stairs whose patterns of the carpet are reminiscent of the tweed suits so emblematic of Chanel.
It is here, among these somptuous mazes that Frank sans C finally arrives at his meeting place with the Chanel’s CEO Watches and Jewellery, Frédéric Grangié. An exclusive and exceptional interview made at the watchmakers salon to discover a selection of novelties selected carefully according to the excellence. Focus on these pieces of exception.
The Haute Horlogerie by Chanel: the novelties 2022
J12 Baguette Diamond Bezel: a sparkling bezel
Iconic among the iconics, the J12 of Chanel has a sporty and elegant shape thanks to its deceased designer Jacques Helleu. From its creation in 2000, he decides to make it in ceramic.
Offered in this high-tech material of white with white gold colour, the sparkling J12 Baguette Diamond Bezel is available in two sizes: 33 and 38 mm. These pieces obtain their originality from their fixed bezel entirely set with baguette-cut diamonds – 46 exactly. They have a beautiful, refined white lacquered dial set with 12 baguette-cut diamonds. The small 33 mm version has the same technical characteristics that its other version, the J12 Calibre 12.2 33 mm showed below. While the 38 mm is slightly different from by the movement that drives it, the Calibre 12.1 equipped with a power reserve of approximatively 70 hours.
Technical specifications sheets:
The J12 Baguette Diamond Bezel – 33 mm – Price: €87,000
The J12 Baguette Diamond Bezel – 38 mm – Price: €112,000
J12 Calibre 12.2 33 mm: in miniature mode
The ceramic coats today an exclusive edition – black or white – that is the first of the collection to mix a little 33 mm-diameter and a self-winding calibre. This miniaturisation of the piece has been a true technical challenge for the Maison’s craftsmen. All the components of the watch have been subjected to setting in order to merge with the case. And most importantly, it had to perform like its other versions. Indeed, this version is driven by the new Calibre 12.2, a movement of manufacture COSC certified. Equipped with a power reserve up to 50 hours, it can be admired through a sapphire crystal. And presents a oscillating weight openworked in the shape of a circle, hallmark of the Chanel’s watches. Subtility that is not one: the blackened calibre on the white version is paler on the one in black. Chanel’s attention to detail…
Have a look at the technical specifications sheets of the J12.2 33 mm, black ceramic version or white ceramic version.
Price: €6,800
Mademoiselle Privé Bouton Décor Byzantin: the mystery hour
Mademoiselle Privé Bouton Décor Byzantin is the ultimate watch with secrets. And for good reason, this is only when the watch is fastened on the wrist that it gives the hour.
Full of mystery, this edition is limited to only 20 pieces. Like a cuff, its rose leather quilted bracelet is trimmed with gold leather and lined with black leather. Its yellow gold 25 mm-diameter button is adorned with a Byzantine pattern set with a central cushion-cut tourmaline taille coussin surrounded by four smaller tourmalines. Then four other smaller pear shape diamonds share the stage with 8 brilliant-cut diamonds. This precious button hides a white gold dial set with 142 diamonds. It is driven by a high precision quartz movement that gives the hours and minutes. A « so Chanel » edition.
Price: €95,000
Première Wanted de Chanel Watch: fashion at the wrist
Undoubtedly, this jewel watch is going to make a splash among the enthusiasts of the Maison.
It is fitted with a steel chain bracelet, delicately intertwined with a black leather ribbon reminiscent strangely of the chain presents on the emblematic Chanel handbags. Hanged to the bracelet, six steel and black lacquered charms spin according to the movements of the wrist making the letters of the word CHANEL. With a very rock look, the piece has a well-made quartz movement, water-resistant to 30 m.
For the technical specifications, have a look at our technical specifications sheet of the Première Wanted de Chanel Watch.
Price: €6,200
Mademoiselle J12.XS Watch: but where is Coco?
We fell in love with this Mademoiselle J12.XS watch which is a limited edition to 55 pieces. This mini version of the J12 has a 19 mm-diameter case that catches the eye with the white gold figurine of Gabrielle Chanel clinging to the gold bezel.
Tribute to Coco, it features a black lacquered dial and a gold flange set with 24 baguette-cut diamonds. Its black ceramic bracelet is set with 116 diamonds located on the central links. A minimalist and elegant watch which will hit the target. In one word, ADORABLE.
See the technical specifications of the Mademoiselle J12 XS
Price : €50,000
Boy·Friend Skeleton X-Ray Watch Red Edition: at the heart of the movement
Chanel goes red with this Boy·Friend Skeleton X-Ray edition. Indeed, the colour palette used by the maison does not stop to white and black.
Coco Chanel said it herself: « if you are sad, if you are upset, put makeup on, take care of yourself, put red lipstick and move forward ». At the heart of the movement, the Boy·Friend X-Ray combines design and transparency. Taking the shape of the place Vendôme and the one of the famous small bottle N°5’s cap, its case is sculpted in the sapphire. This allows to admire the architecture of the movement with intertwined circles which has also a beige gold crown set with five baguette-cut rubies coming with a deep red calf leather strap.
Technical specifications sheet of the Boy·Friend Skeleton X-Ray Watch Red Edition.
Price : €90,000
Mademoiselle J12 La Pausa : on the Riviera time
In the Frank sans C’s video, the Chanel’s CEO Watches and Jewellery, Frédéric Grangié reveals to our watch enthusiast the piece that he wears. A unique edition with the black matt bezel of the Mademoiselle J12 La Pausa. However, the one presented below is a jewellery piece sold in 55 pieces with the bezel set with 46 baguette-cut diamonds.
True illustration of the creation’s workshops of the brand, it is a tribute to the Riviera – dear to Gabrielle Chanel. This is represented by the striped jersey that her character wears on the dial. Driven by a self-winding manufacture calibre, the hands represent the Mademoiselle’s arms which move every minute and hour.
Price: €120,000
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