Chanel goes electro-pop

IN THE 1990S, the electronic dance music movement led by the iconic French duo Daft Punk left an indelible mark on popular culture.

Characterised by pulsating beats, fluorescent colours and a futuristic aesthetic, it defined the nightlife scene of the time, inspiring Arnaud Chastaingt - director of Chanel's fine watchmaking creation studio - to create a capsule collection that relives the narrative of that era.

He likens the new Chanel Electro collection to a performance of colours, "inviting our classics to take turns on this stage and to draw inspiration from the codes of this world". Unveiled at the 2021 Watches and Wonders, Chanel's iconic J12 is resplendent in graphic and vibrant hues, a gradation of baguette-cut rainbow sapphires illuminating its bezels, dials, oscillating weights and bracelets. A bold tribute to the aesthetic culture of the 90s, Chanel's J12 Electro Collection is also an inspiration for the future.

The J12 Electro edition is presented in four high watchmaking creations:

J12 X-RAY ELECTRO

Limited to 12 numbered pieces at nearly S$1 million each, the watch has 12 baguette-cut sapphires telling the hours with points of colours on a sapphire dial, which is held by a 38 mm wide 18 carat white gold case. Rimming the case is an exquisite white gold bezel set with 46 baguettecut rainbow sapphires. On the white gold non screw-down crown sits a brilliant-cut diamond. The two-link sapphire bracelet sparkles with 34 baguette-cut diamonds and snaps open or close on a white gold triple-folding buckle.

The J12 X-Ray Electro runs on the Caliber 3.1, a hand-wound movement which is a variation of Chanel's own Caliber 3, an open-worked and hand-wound movement first introduced in the Boy-Friend timepiece in 2018. It has 55 hours' power reserve and is water-resistant to 30 metres.

Price: S$937,100

J12 ELECTRO DREAM

Presented in a black or white ceramic model,the J12 Electro Dream is limited to 55 watches each.

The 38 mm ceramic and white gold case with a sapphire back comprises a white gold bezel decked with 46 rainbow sapphires. The timesetting knob on the side of the case is crowned with a brilliant-cut diamond. Twelve rainbow sapphires set on the dial serve as the hour indices. The bracelet, with a triple-folding buckle, is made of ceramic.

The J12 Electro Dream is powered by Caliber 12.1, an automatic movement introduced in 2019 and certified by the Swiss Official Chronometer Testing Institute (COSC) for precision. It was produced by Swiss movement maker, Kenissi, in which Chanel has a 20 per cent stake.

A quartz version of the J12 Electro Dream is available in a smaller 33 mm case, also in a limited edition of 55 watches.

Price: S$148,800 (38 mm), S$126,400 (33 mm).

J12 ELECTRO STAR

The entire watch appears to be paved in baguettecut diamonds, with rainbow sapphires lining the sides of its white gold case and white gold bracelet. Even the white gold dial is decked with diamonds - 168 precisely. Some 52 rainbow sapphires, set on the oscillating weight of the movement, add colour to the mechanism that drives the timepiece. Only the case-back is spared for the customary sapphire crystal to be attached to it.

Some 22 diamonds decorate the 38 mm case, which has another 46 diamonds set on its bezel, while a lone brilliant-cut diamond stands on the white gold crown. Some 342 diamonds and 160 rainbow sapphires give extra sparkle to the gold bracelet, which has a triple-folding buckle.

A limited edition of 12 watches, the Electro Star is equipped with the Caliber 12.1 automatic movement which boasts 70 hours' power reserve. The J12 Electro Star also comes in a 33 mm quartz version, limited to 12 watches.

Price: S$1,710,600 (38 mm), S$1,338,800 (33 mm).

J12 ELECTRO BOX

A lacquer box opens to unveil 12 J12 timepieces in 12 gradation of colours. Each piece is unique but all have in common a 38mm matte black ceramic and black ADLC treated steel case, with a sapphire case-back. The black theme runs through nearly every part of the watches, including the steel triple-folding buckle of the bracelet. The black ADLC treated steel bezel is set with 46 baguettecut monochrome sapphires, while the steel crown has a brilliant-cut sapphire. The watches are powered by the Caliber 12.1 movement.

Price: S$1,488,000

CLASS ACTE

In January, the French maison presented Mademoiselle J12 Acte II, a pair of quartz watches with a stylised effigy of Mademoiselle Chanel riveted to the crown. First rolled out in 2017, Mademoiselle J12 enjoys a second act, appearing in white ceramic and white gold as well as in black ceramic and white gold, both in a limited edition of 555 pieces each. A brilliant-cut diamond is set on the case-back of the two models, engraved with "MADEMOISELLE J12 ACTE II" and "LIMITED TO 555". The bezel is white gold with baguette pattern sapphire.

Hanging on the white gold crown is a white gold and enamel charm featuring Mademoiselle adorned with one brilliant-cut diamond indicator. The hours are read off 12 baguette-cut diamonds set against a white-lacquered (black for the black ceramic model) dial, framed by a 33 mm white gold case. The bracelet is made of ceramic and features a steel triple-folding buckle.

Price: S$37,600 (black and white).