First released in 2000, the J12 watch soon became one of the emblematic timepieces of the house on rue Cambon. With its chic undeniably anchored in a bold male/female aesthetic that has long been characteristic of Gabrielle’s brand, Chanel dressed up an almost organic watch with sleek and powerful elegance in ceramic. The first iconic Chanel watch of the 21st century, its design is owed to the late Jacques Helleu, who brought the double C brand into the watchmaking universe in 1987 with the Première watch.
This year for Baselworld, the brand introduced a collector’s style that’s as precious as it is surprising. Two limited editions of its famous J12 are this time highlighting Coco Chanel’s mischievous profile. Dubbed J12 Mademoiselle, the new watch boasts an unusual graphicness, allowing Coco’s emblematic silhouette to come to life on the dial. The bold variation of the emblematic watch is this time getting adorned with an illustrated version of Mademoiselle Chanel, whose arms indicate the hour and minute.
This timepiece is available in two versions: white ceramic or black and steel, with a 38 mm case and a lacquered dial that matches the rest of the watch. Get it while you can; the J12 Mademoiselle is so alluring that Chanel is only releasing an ultra-limited series of 555 copies. From its lacquered rhodium and black hands to the whiteness of the Mademoiselle’s arms, the high-tech ceramic bracelet also appears on this piece that’s like a work of art on the same level as Warhol or Mickey Mouse – a new way to definitively position Coco Chanel as a post-modern hero.
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