IN THE GROOVE
The CHANEL Electro capsule collection of watches electrifies with vibrant sapphires, as justin ng discovers the show-stealing, attention-grabbing novelties.
The Chanel Electro capsule collection of watches electrifies with vibrant sapphires
Setting the pace for Chanel’s Electro capsule collection is the iconic J12, which is introduced in four spectacular versions, each interpreting Arnaud Chastaingt’s, director of the maison’s watchmaking studio, concept rooted in electronic music. The titular J12 Electro watch is limited to 1,255 pieces, fashioned from a combination of black highly resistant ceramic and steel. Though primarily black, the watch is illuminated by a pop of colour. And because “the depth of the black intensifies the colour,” says Chastaingt, “the union is radical and the contrast is graphic.”
The union, which he refers to, is the sequence of a black-lacquered dial with neon-rainbowcoloured indicators on both the bezel and the hour numerals. “The numerals feature a 12-colour gradient which accentuates the dial, the bezel and which gives it an electric feel,” adds Chastaingt.
This 38mm number is coupled with a black highly resistant ceramic bracelet and powered by the COSC-certified chronometer grade selfwinding calibre 12.1. Thanks to the steel screwdown crown adorned with a black highly resistant ceramic cabochon, the watch is water resistant to 200 metres.
If you demand for coloured stones in lieu of numerals, the J12 Electro Dream aptly meets that. Produced in no more than 55 pieces, the watch is made of matte black highly resistant ceramic and steel, which has been subjected to black ADLC treatment. “The J12 Electro Dream merges these 12 colours in a circular and continuous gradient of sapphires which adorn the bezel,” Chastaingt points out.
The 46 baguette-cut rainbow sapphires around 6.47 carats won’t go unnoticed thanks to their collective brilliance, complemented with a dozen baguette-cut rainbow sapphires approximately 0.47 carat doubling as hour markers. “On its dial, 12 index baguettecut diamonds echo this chromatic palette,” Chastaingt says.
Unlike the J12 Electro, however, the J12 Electro Dream is fitted with a steel nonscrew-down crown which has undergone black ADLC treatment, before it is set with a brilliant-cut diamond about 0.14 carat. It means water resistance is revised to 50 metres – not that you will ever wear it on an underwater excursion. At the heart is the same chronometer-grade calibre 12.1, providing 70 hours of power reserve.
Offering a brighter outlook, the J12 Electro Dream is also available in white highly resistant ceramic and 18k white gold case, of which 55 pieces are produced. The rest of the detail such as the number and weight of the coloured sapphires remain identical to the black counterpart.
Upping the showmanship – as well as craftsmanship – is the J12 Electro Star. Wearing it instantly transforms you into a star as the watch is set with copious precious stones. Only 12 pieces are produced and each is numbered, so you know exactly which you are owning. At 38mm, the 18k white gold case is lavished with 22 baguette-cut diamonds tipping the scale at around 1.33 carat with further 55 baguette-cut rainbow sapphires approximately 3.86 carats running down both sides of the case. Another 342 baguette-cut diamonds around 21.15 carats and 160 baguettecut rainbow sapphires around 8.69 carats flow onto the 18k white gold bracelet.
That is not all as there are 46 baguette-cut diamonds about 5.46 carats flanking the 18k white gold fixed bezel, ring-fencing a total of 168 baguette-cut diamonds about 4.61 carats set on the dial. The finishing touch comes in the form of a brilliant-cut diamond around 0.14 carat set on the non-screw-down crown.
Similar to other J12 models that came before it, the diamond-encrusted watch calls upon the calibre 12.1. Rivalling the opulence lining the surface of the watch, the black oscillating mass of the movement of this particular model is decorated with 52 baguette-cut rainbow sapphires approaching 0.46 carat.
Saving the best for last, Chanel is rewarding die-hard fans of J12 a priceless chance to collect a dozen of J12 watches all at once in a special box set. “I created the J12 Electro Box as a performance,” enthuses Chastaingt.
Within the box, each piece is truly one of a kind – which means no two watches within the same box are identical. Nonetheless, there is a consistent fundamental that forms t he anchor of the ensemble. At risks of sounding oxymoron, the watches’ ultimate collective uniformity is derived from their individual differences. Without any of the 12 watches, the set simply feels incomplete. “The inseparable ensemble forms a unique creation,” Chastaingt puts it succinctly.
He describes the set as “a black varnished box that unveils a polyptych of 12 J12 timepieces the composition vibrates to the rhythm of the 12-stroke chromatic gradient.”
Each piece features a case based on the twin materials of matte black highly resistant ceramic and steel treated with black ADLC. The fun narrative begins as the 46 baguettecut monochrome sapphires around 6.37 carats on each watch gently takes an evolving shade across the range, from pink to red, akin to a playlist that whisks the collector on a sensorial journey of discovery, with each track conjuring a different feeling.
Water resistant to 50 metres, the watch is equipped with a black ADLC-treated steel non-screw-down crown set with one brilliantcut sapphire around 0.16 carat. Perhaps a little surprising, the calibre 12.1 powering all 12 watches isn’t spruced up with additional coloured sapphires on its rotor.
Now you may wonder just how many box sets are there in existence? Just one, and it is the crescendo of this year’s electronic musicinspired collection.