Chanel Mademoiselle Privé Bouton Strikes A Balance Between Tradition And Practicality

Chanel Mademoiselle Privé Bouton strikes a balance between tradition and practicality

- Ruckdee Chotjinda

The Chanel Mademoiselle Privé Bouton simply cannot be placed in one product category, as it comprises cuff-styled secret watches that, to untrained eyes, look like pieces of jewellery. That is the whole point of secret watches - to look like something other than a timepiece. Secret watches are a creation of great historical significance that can be traced back to the era when it was considered impolite to be checking the time. Additionally, as women’s attire did not allow for the ease of carrying of pocket watches (women’s clothing in the West did not have pockets - Ed), something had to be done to incorporate a very small and discreet time-telling capability into everyday jewellery such as pendants, brooches, bracelets or even rings.

In contemporary times, few watch brands offer secret watches, and most of them are too embellished to be worn in less formal or daytime settings. Enter Chanel with their brand new Mademoiselle Privé Bouton: a collection of seven watches, two of them high jewellery pieces.