Watches & Wonders 2024: Chanel Couture O'Clock Collection

This exceptional piece, which draws on the technical expertise of numerous craftsmen, recalls the graphic universe of Mademoiselle's workshop and the tools of her seamstresses. It comes from the new CHANEL COUTURE O'CLOCK collection, unveiled a few days ago at the Watches & Wonders 2024 show.

Welcome to the black and white graphic world of the lively workshops on rue Cambon: needles, thimbles, scissors, pins and spools of thread now invest Chanel's watchmaking creations. The best showcase of this collection remains the music box, and its real key mounted in a necklace on a gold chain punctuated with diamonds, which allows you to wind the mechanism of this unique piece, where the time can be read on a tape measure. This one reveals the notes of the song “My Woman” by Al Bowlly, which Mademoiselle loved to hum. The chandelier with tassels, the base inspired by the quilted sofa and the gold decorations evoke Gabrielle Chanel's apartment. From the diamond-encrusted tassels of the miniature chandelier to the meticulously shaped and tuned musical mechanism, it exhibits extreme technical and aesthetic sophistication. A work of art that would have already been acquired by a collector.

Natural aluminum ceramic busts trimmed with black leather, each adorned with an 18-carat yellow gold brooch set with 6 brilliant-cut diamonds (~0.40 carat). Steel tripod with black coating and 18k yellow gold handle set with 22 diamonds (~0.31 carat). Head and lower attachment in 18-carat yellow gold. Natural aluminum ceramic ribbon marked with black lacquer hour and minute markers. Fine pearl and support in 18k yellow gold with black coating and indicator in 18k yellow gold set with a baguette-cut diamond (~0.22 carat). Base covered with marquetry of 245 pieces of onyx trimmed with a gold circle. 18-carat yellow gold set with 160 brilliant-cut diamonds (~23.04 carats) and 18-carat yellow gold feet. Manual winding movement. Power reserve: ~7 days. Functions: hours, minutes. Dimensions: 19.8 x 34.2 cm. Diamonds: 336 brilliant-cut diamonds (~30.92 carats). 26 pear-shaped diamonds (~6.24 carats). 1 baguette-cut diamond (~0.22 carat).

Winding key in 18-carat yellow gold set with 229 brilliant-cut diamonds (~5.98 carats). Long necklace in 18-carat yellow gold set with 132 brilliant-cut diamonds (~ 8.27 carats). Carat sizes and materials present for information only. Non-contractual values.

Another creation inspired by Gabrielle Chanel and her workshop on rue Cambon, the J12 ATELIER COUTURE AUTOMATE CALIBER 6 watch is made up of a dial that comes alive to the rhythm of the ballet of the couture workshop. The figurine of Mademoiselle Chanel, her scissors and her sewing bust are presented in a precious setting. A real technical challenge, its 355 components make it possible to animate, with a simple press of the push button, the silhouette of Mademoiselle in a meticulously articulated decor on 5 levels. A perfect balance between design and watchmaking know-how which is expressed in the excellence of the materials and the sophistication of the details.

Limited edition of 100 pieces. Matte black high-resistance ceramic box with polished bevels. 18-carat white gold and sapphire caseback with the words “LIMITED TO 100”. Fixed steel bezel with black coating set with 48 baguette-cut diamonds (~3.19 carats). Dial with transfer of the rue Cambon sewing workshop decor, figurine of Mademoiselle and sewing bust. Unscrewed steel crown with black coating set with a brilliant-cut diamond (~0.15 carat). Matte black high-resistance ceramic bracelet with polished bevels and steel triple folding clasp. Waterproofing: 50 meters. Diameter: 38mm. Diamonds: 49 diamonds (~3.34 carats). Caliber 6: Manufacture CHANEL manual winding mechanical movement with automaton function. Power reserve: ~72 hours. Functions: hours, minutes. Complication: automaton. Number of components: 355. Number of jewels: 54. Frequency: 28,800 vibrations per hour (4Hz). 2 barrels with fixed flange. Anti-shock balancer protection system. Variable inertia balance wheel. Movement diameter: Ø 28.40 mm – 12’’’½. Movement thickness: 7.70 mm.

Also interesting is this couture bust which borrows the codes of the long necklace and is adorned with snow-set 18-carat yellow gold. The black lacquered dial is hidden in its size. A limited edition of 20 copies.

Couture bust in 18-carat yellow gold in snow setting with 1,610 brilliant-cut diamonds (~21.29 carats) and black lacquered straps. Black lacquered dial. 18-karat yellow gold hands. 18-carat yellow gold chain set with 132 brilliant-cut diamonds (~3.83 carats) and 1 brilliant-cut center diamond (~0.71 carat). High precision quartz movement. Functions: hours, minutes. Water resistance: 30 meters. Dimensions: ~10.8 x 10.8mm. Diamonds: 1743 brilliant-cut diamonds (~25.83 carats).

Finally, we fell in love with this Première watch reinterpreted in a version adorned with spool of thread, thimble or Mademoiselle charms in steel coated with yellow gold and black lacquer, attached to the interwoven leather bracelet which evokes the chain of the classic bag of CHANEL. This is the “Première Charms Couture”.

Steel case coated with 18-carat yellow gold (0.1 micron). Steel back coated with 18-carat yellow gold (0.1 micron) with “LIMITED EDITION” inscription. Black lacquered dial. Steel chain bracelet coated with 18-carat yellow gold (0.1 micron) interwoven with a black leather ribbon. Couture charms in steel coated with 18-carat yellow gold (0.1 micron) and black lacquer High-precision quartz movement. Functions: hours and minutes. Water resistance: 30 meters. Dimensions: 19.7 x 15.2 mm.

With its double-wrap bracelet in braided black leather and lined with gold leather printed with a tape measure motif, the Première Ruban Couture watch is a predicted success. Its titanium and 18-carat yellow gold case is adorned with a charm bearing the image of Mademoiselle in yellow gold and black lacquer, set with a diamond.

18-carat yellow gold case. Titanium case back with “LIMITED EDITION” mention. Coco charm in 18-carat yellow gold and black lacquer set with a brilliant-cut diamond (0.01 carat). Black lacquered dial. Double wrap bracelet in black leather with tape measure print, lining and strap in gold leather with 18-carat yellow gold pin buckle. High precision quartz movement Functions: hours and minutes Water resistance: 30 meters. Dimensions: 19.7 x 15.2 mm. Diamond: 1 brilliant-cut diamond (0.01 carat).