Story | Connie Li Photography | Chanel
On the occasion of the Watches & Wonders 2022 in Geneva earlier this year, Arnaud Chastaingt, director of Chanel’s Watchmaking Creation Studio, talked about the brand’s latest artistic vision in watchmaking.
Arnaud Chastaingt, director of Chanel’s Watchmaking Creation Studio.
Q: You have decided to bring Mademoiselle and the J12 together again this year. Could you elaborate?
A: The “Mademoiselle J12” story was born in 2017. From that first encounter, a concept emerged—a story that still inspires me. Mademoiselle J12 La Pausa is a fresh interpretation that takes Gabrielle Chanel away from Rue Cambon, a symbol of her life in Paris, to La Pausa, her villa on the French Riviera. It’s a place where she loved to welcome her friends in a relaxed and convivial atmosphere.
It is in this spirit that the J12 welcomes the silhouette of Mademoiselle, dressed in a Breton top and sailor pants. For the first time, the Mademoiselle J12 is equipped with the Calibre 12.1, in an exclusive all-black version. Until now, the encounter between the J12 and Mademoiselle Chanel remained a unique occasion. This year, it becomes a rendezvous in its own right.
MADEMOISELLE J12 LA PAUSA, US$119,800
In 2022, we reveal three new creations. With the J12 Gabrielle Calibre 3.1, pride of place is given to the iconic silhouette of Gabrielle, dressed in black and wearing her beloved pearls. The openwork dial creates a graphic effect on multiple levels: first in combination with the hands, then with the profile of Gabrielle in the background and finally with the movement. Mademoiselle strikes a pose in a painting within a precious frame composed of a white gold bezel set with baguette-cut diamonds.
J12 GABRIELLE CALIBRE 3.1, US$279,500
In a lighter and more playful tone, a figurine with a stylized effigy clings mischievously to the case of the Mademoiselle J12 XS watch. Mademoiselle is true to herself and exquisite as ever. Her silhouette, entwined in white gold and black lacquer, is topped off with a two-tone straw hat accentuated with a diamond.
MADEMOISELLE J12.XS; : US$499,900
Q: With the new J12 Black Star, why did you decide to go for the all-over black look again?
A: This fine-watchmaking creation is another artistic vision. Its exquisite looks are singular. Its lines are traced in pure, unalloyed black—a black that is structured by a rigorous geometry of ceramic baguettes set on blackened steel. Faceted, the ceramic adopts the cut of a gemstone.
J12 BLACK STAR; US$419,200
When viewed from the front, the J12 Black Star is set with ceramic baguettes, while its sides are highlighted by baguettecut diamonds. The effect is graphic and resolutely offbeat, an unconventional style that shakes up the classic codes.
J12 GABRIELLE CALIBRE 3.1
Black ceramic with sapphire crystal caseback; 18K white gold fixed bezel set with 46 baguettecut diamonds; 18K white gold openwork dial; 18K white gold non screw-down crown set with one brilliant-cut diamond; black
ceramic bracelet and 18K white gold triple-folding buckle.
Movement: Calibre 3.1; in-house Manufacture manual winding movement.
Power Reserve: 55 hours.
Water Resistance: 30 m.
Diameter: 38 mm.
Limited to 55 pieces.
MADEMOISELLE J12 LA PAUSA
Black ceramic and 18K white gold case; sapphire crystal caseback; 18K white gold fixed bezel set with 46 baguette-cut diamonds; black-lacquered dial; 18K white gold non screw-down crown set with one brilliant-cut diamond; black ceramic bracelet and 18K white gold triple-folding buckle.
Movement: Calibre 12.1; selfwinding Manufacture movement, with black coating.
Power Reserve: 70 hours.
Water Resistance: 50 m.
Diameter: 38 mm.
Limited to 55 pieces.
MADEMOISELLE J12.XS
Black ceramic and 18K white gold case; 18K white gold caseback; 18K white gold fixed bezel; 18K white gold lacquered Coco figurine set with one brilliant-cut diamond; black-lacquered dial and 18K white gold flange set with 24 baguettecut diamonds; 18K white gold non-screw down crown set with one brilliant-cut diamond; black ceramic and bracelet set with 116 brilliant-cut diamonds and 18K white gold triple-folding buckle.
Movement: High precision quartz movement.
Water Resistance: 30.
Diameter: 19 mm.
Limited to 55 pieces.
J12 BLACK STAR
Steel with a black coating case set with 22 baguette-cut ceramics and 55 baguette-cut diamonds; sapphire crystal caseback; steel with black coating fixed bezel and black baguette pattern ceramic ring; black baguette
pattern ceramic rings dial.
Movement: Calibre 12.1; self-winding Manufacture movement, chronometercertified by Swiss Official Chronometer Testing Institute.
Power reserve: 70 hours.
Water Resistance: 50 m.
Diameter: 38 mm.
Limited to 12 pieces.
