Baselworld 2014: 6 Chanel watches we love!
updated the 7 October 2015 à 00:03No matter what the level of extravagance, Chanel always stands out. Here are our picks of Chanel watches showing at Baselworld.
Watch and jewellery lovers around the world have descended upon Basel, Switzerland for the annual timepiece and jewellery tradeshow, Baselworld, held from 27 Mar – 3 Apr 2014. Not a surprise that a watch show is held in Switzerland, where master watchmakers have developed some of the finest pieces for as long as time could tell.
This year at Baselword, we’re eyeing the slew of exquisite Chanel watches on display. Because Chanel is not only known for the No. 5 fragrance or classic flap bags, the watches themselves form a whole new level of league on their own.
To unveil the watches, Chanel has produced an advertising campaign, lensed by renowned photographer, Patrick Dermarchelier, titled, “L’Instant Chanel”. The series of monochrome images were specifically crafted to depict how Chanel watches give a precise instant its unique allure.
While the campaign will feature all three collections, Première, J12 and Mademoiselle Prive, here are 3 Chanel watches we’re lusting for at Baselworld.
Première Flying Tourbillon
Première watches were created exclusively for women in 1987, inspired by the octagonal shape of the No. 5 bottle-stopper and Place Vendome in Paris, France.
To add to the collection this year is the Flying Tourbillon that is set in 169 diamonds and 63 baguette-cut pink sapphires surrounding the white gold case.
This particular design incorporates Mademoiselle Chanel’s favourite flower, the camellia, which deftly forms the watch movement.
With only 20 pieces produced, this stunner is possibly the true showstopper at Baselworld.
J12-365 Beige Gold
From the original ceramic white J12 watch, Chanel has unveiled a whole set of new designs with innovative changes. While the newer designs do retain the defining look of the original J12, the ceramic case for this watch is now accented with beige gold – a new alloy exclusive to Chanel.
The diameter of the watch is also notably smaller, giving it a more feminine outlook than the previous model.
Mademoiselle Prive Coromandel Dial Set
Now, this collection was created in an ode to Mademoiselle Chanel and centered around elements that she personally adored. While the camellia was her favourite flower and is featured in majority of the watches in this collection, we’re going to turn our eye to a non-camellia focused piece.
The Coromandel watches come in a set of 2 – one being the ‘Great Fire’ and the other a mother-of-pearl sculpted piece, both manufactured in Switzerland.
The ‘Great Fire’ enamel model comes in an 18K white gold case set with an impressive 524 snow-diamonds. The dial is made with clouds in plique-à-jour enamel fixed under sapphire crystal, supposedly a special Geneva technique.
As for the second timepiece, it is similarly set in an 18K white gold case and 553 snow-diamonds. For this version, the ethereal clouds on the dial are meticulously sculpted with mother-of-pearl. Finally, to add to the luxurious and somewhat mythical vibe, the watches are completed with Mississippiensis alligator straps in black and white respectively.
Watches may not be a necessity in today’s age, especially when we have our phones to tell time. However, with such impeccable craft present, we can’t help but imagine what it would be like to have one delicately rest on our wrists.
Tarandip Kaur