Chanel
Paris, France · Est. 1910
Founded by Coco Chanel
Chanel entered watchmaking in 1987 and produces its timepieces in La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland, through its manufacture Chanel Horlogerie. The brand is notable for its bold, fashion-forward designs — particularly the J12 ceramic watch — as well as its development of in-house movements in partnership with Renaud & Papi.
- Founded
- 1910
- Headquarters
- Paris, France
- Group
- Other
- Price Segment
- Luxury
- Status
- Active
Key Collections
- J12 — Iconic ceramic watch launched in 2000 that revolutionised the use of ceramic in luxury watchmaking.
- Première — Octagonal ladies' watch inspired by the shape of the Place Vendôme and the N°5 perfume bottle stopper.
- Boy·Friend — Rectangular watch blending masculine codes with Chanel's feminine elegance, featuring a bold, androgynous aesthetic.
- Monsieur de Chanel — Men's complication watch featuring a jumping hour and retrograde minute, powered by an in-house movement.
Timeline
- 1910 — Coco Chanel opens her first millinery shop in Paris, beginning the Chanel fashion empire.
- 1987 — Chanel enters watchmaking with the Première, inspired by the Place Vendôme and the N°5 cap.
- 2000 — The J12 launches, making high-tech ceramic a desirable material in luxury watchmaking.
- 2016 — Monsieur de Chanel debuts with the in-house Calibre 1, Chanel's first proprietary men's movement.
- 2019 — The J12 is redesigned with the in-house Calibre 12.1 (based on Kenissi), marking a new era of horological independence.
- 2025 — Celebrated J12 25th anniversary with J12 Bleu in new matte blue ceramic. Became first-ever title sponsor of the Oxford-Cambridge Boat Race.
Frequently Asked Questions about Chanel
- Does Chanel make its own watch movements?
- Yes. Chanel co-owns the Kenissi manufacture (with Tudor/Rolex Group) and has developed proprietary calibres like the Calibre 1 and Calibre 12.1.
- Is the Chanel J12 a serious watch?
- Absolutely. The J12 is widely regarded as one of the most important watches of the 21st century, pioneering ceramic as a luxury material and now housing manufacture movements.
- What is the Chanel Première watch?
- The Première, launched in 1987, was Chanel's first watch and remains an icon. Designed to evoke the stopper of the No. 5 perfume bottle and the octagonal shape of Place Vendôme, it established Chanel as a serious player in watchmaking. The Première is offered in various sizes and complications, including the ultra-thin Édition Originale.