Cover Model wears J12 Diamond Tourbillon Caliber 5 (Photo: Courtesy of Chanel)
Model wears J12 Diamond Tourbillon Caliber 5 (Photo: Courtesy of Chanel)
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Tatler+ Chanel
Chanel celebrates spring with black stars, vivid reds and self-made calibers
Chanel has found a way to delight J12 fans yet again, as the brand launches an exciting line-up of new models within its iconic J12 collection for Watches and Wonders 2022. After two years of digital-only fairs, the Palexpo exhibition centre in Geneva is bustling with exhibitors, connoisseurs and collectors.
Among the 40 exhibitors is Chanel’s Watchmaking Creation Studio, and the French maison is certainly making its presence felt at the Swiss watch fair. One of the highlights of the stunning new launches is undoubtedly the new J12 Diamond Tourbillon, which features Calibre 5, the brand’s first ever in-house flying tourbillon movement. Here are our top picks from the brand’s Spring/Summer 2022 line-up.
Above Photo of J12 Diamond Tourbillon Caliber 5 (Courtesy of Chanel)
Photo of J12 Diamond Tourbillon Caliber 5 (Courtesy of Chanel)
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J12 Diamond Tourbillon Caliber 5
This year, the brand’s Watchmaking Creation Studio director Arnaud Chastaingt has created history by designing, developing and assembling the Caliber 5—its first ever flying tourbillon movement—entirely in-house. The maison’s signature lion’s head sits atop the partially exposed movement while a solitaire diamond bejewels the core of the flying tourbillon cage. Produced in a limited run of just 55 pieces, the watch is available in highly resistant matte black ceramic and glossy black ceramic.
Above Photo of J12 Caliber 12.2 33mm (Courtesy of Chanel)
Photo of J12 Caliber 12.2 33mm (Courtesy of Chanel)
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J12 Caliber 12.2 33mm
Focusing on technical innovation, director Chastaingt has equipped the popular J12 33mm with the Caliber 12.2—a self-winding movement developed by Swiss maker Kenissi. Certified for precision by the official Swiss chronometer testing institute COSC, the Caliber 12.2 reports a power reserve of 50 hours. The black and white ceramic variants come in a steel case with a sapphire crystal caseback.
Above Photo of J12 Black Star (Courtesy of Chanel)
Photo of J12 Black Star (Courtesy of Chanel)
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J12 Black Star
A limited-edition of 12 pieces only, Chanel presents its J12 Black Star, set all over with pure, unalloyed baguette-cut ceramics and diamonds. The entire timepiece is made of steel with a matte black coating. It is driven by a COSC certified self-winding Caliber 12.1 with a power reserve of 70 hours and is water-resistant up to 50 meters.
Model wears J12 X-Ray Red Edition (Photo: Courtesy of Chanel)
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Haute Horlogerie Red Edition Collection
The maison has added a dash of its signature colour to accentuate three of its models. “I like the boldness of a movement made up in red, the sensuality of the marriage of beige gold and rubies, the authority of a glossy red strap against a wrist,” said Chastaingt.
The J12 X-Ray Red Edition is limited to 12 pieces. Its J12 X-Ray silhouette remains largely unchanged while baguette-cut rubies encrust its bezel, also forming hour markers on the dial. The Boy-friend Skeleton Red Edition and the Boy-friend Skeleten X-Ray Red Edition are limited to 55 and 100 pieces respectively. The embossed calfskin strap in both models descends from the lining of the iconic 2.55 handbag.
