Fashioning Time

Whether it’s fashion, beauty or watches, the creativity and knowhow that drive chanel forward as a brand is one and the same. Here, arnaud chastaingt, director of chanel watches creation studio explains the similarities he sees between haute horlogerie and haute couture

- Caroline Suganda

In the last 20 years, the J12 has fulfilled the vision of what its late creator, then-artistic director of Chanel Jacques Helleu, imagined it to be: timeless, sporty, all black — and more. Its trend-transcending, simple design is one that is classic and timeless; its groundbreaking all-ceramic body lends the timepiece a sporty, unbreakable character; and of course, its colour, because black was one of Chanel’s favourite colours, besides white.

Twenty years on, nothing has changed; the essence of J12 is still the same as the day it came into being. What has changed, however, is the sentiment and dedication that have been invested in the J12 creation studio. Just last year, the J12 underwent a major overhaul that included acquiring a stake in watch manufacture Suisse Kenissi to produce the exclusive Calibre 12.1 movement for all future J12 watches. 70 per cent of its components were changed and every part of its original design subtly altered. This year, as the J12 celebrates its 20th anniversary with the special limited edition J12.20 released a few months ago, we look at the remaining J12 numbers that are set to affirm J12 as an haute horlogerie, with the same status Chanel has as an haute couturier. Arnaud Chastaingt, director of Chanel Watches Creation Studio, shares more with us.

The J12 is 20 years old this year. Could we say this is the best year of its life?