Steeped in elegant luxury, CHANEL is a name synonymous with beauty and fashion. Since 1987, the Maison has also become renowned for its watchmaking expertise, with exceptional timepieces such as Première, the Boy.Friend, and the iconic J12.
In only 30 years of CHANEL’s watchmaking journey, the House has touched on every métier contributing to the art of Fine Watchmaking. Defining a unique vision of Fine Watchmaking through the creation of watches conceived as objects of desire and beauty, without compromising the craftsmanship and technical expertise required to create exceptional timepieces. Timepieces designed to withstand the test of time.
The J12 Evolves
Introduced in 2000, J12 took the world by storm. Nineteen years later, Arnaud Chastaingt, director of the CHANEL Watch Creation Studio gave the J12 a makeover without touching the very identity that built its legend and its success. Now with a one-piece ceramic case equipped with a sapphire crystal so that the 12.1 calibre automatic movement, specially developed by the new Suisse KENISSI Manufacture, can be seen to be admired.
Topping the list of modifications is the beating heart of the watch, the CHANEL-exclusive Manufacture self-winding movement, Calibre 12.1. Equipped with a 70-hour power reserve, the COSC-certified chronometer boasts main plate and bridges in brass treated with a black galvanic bath (NAC), an oscillating weight in white gold treated with a black galvanic bath (NAC) with ball bearings and finishing that includes linear satin-finish, snailing and diamond- polished angles. With a balance wheel with variable inertia and shock proof system, the movement powers the centre-located hours, minutes and seconds display, stopseconds during time setting, instant perpetual calendar, as well as rapid date correction with full correction range.
Apart from the new calibre, the J12 also showcases ceramic numerals, as opposed to the applied numerals of the original, on its white lacquered dial. It features a new typeface as well as refined hands enriching its delicate allure. Other adjustments include a reduction of the steel-screw down crown with white highly resistant ceramic cabochon and an increase in the size of the case which is now 38 mm.
Available in white or black highly resistant ceramic, the watch highlights a thinner bezel which includes more grooves – 40 compared to the initial 30 – making the face of the watch appear larger, thereby allowing for better reading of the time. To round off the changes, a considerably thinner ceramic bracelet accompanies the model, with its links significantly extended lending the bracelet a leaner, pared down look.
Despite it being released two years ago, the new J12 continues to enthral watch lovers and connoisseurs alike. Available in white or black ceramic, the tasteful watch also comes in diamond-set iterations. Instead of Arabic numerals, the pieces are adorned with 12 dazzling diamonds, lending a heightened elegance to the already sophisticated timepiece.
The Face of J12
The new J12 is the watch for these milestones, and the perfect accompaniment for every second. In this campaign for the most iconic CHANEL watch entitled “It’s All About Seconds”, some of the most beautiful faces and most important names in fashion, film, lifestyle, and philanthropy are featured. Sharing about “a second that changed their lives,” they convey their personal stories and model the new J12, a unique timepiece that helps them keep in touch with their lives and form their destinies all in a matter of seconds.
The latest celebrity to join this distinguished roster of individuals is the Brand Ambassador for the Fashion House, Margot Robbie. A star in her own right, Margot is an Academy Award nominated actress and producer. Renowned for her lively portrayal of Harley Quinn in “Suicide Squad” and its spin-off, “Birds of Prey”, she has a worked on other remarkable films including “Bombshell”, directed by Jay Roach, and “Once Upon a Time in Hollywood” by Quentin Tarantino.
Most notably she starred in “I, Tonya”, as Tonya Harding, a movie in which she also served as producer. Lauded for her body of work, the prolific actress has received two Academy Award nominations: Best Actress for “I, Tonya” (2018) and Best Supporting Actress for “Bombshell” (2019).
Born in Australia, Robbie began a relationship with CHANEL in 2018, when she was appointed as a CHANEL Ambassador. Since then, she has been a constant presence in the Maison’s events, including the Fall-Winter 2019/20 Haute Couture show in Paris last July 2019 and the digital amplification programme for the Spring-Summer 2021 Ready-to-Wear show from London in October 2020, where she was interviewed by Ambassador Laura Bailey.
For Robbie, “It’s a dream to represent such a timeless and iconic brand. The history of the CHANEL woman is so exciting and the brand has remained such a power feminine standard of style. I’m thrilled to be part of the CHANEL family and continue their celebration of women & fashion.” The accomplished thespian speaks her truth in a series of videos for the campaign. She states that “Time is the only thing you can waste but you can’t buy. It’s all about the seconds.”
