Chanel is not only one of the most coveted fashion brands. It is also known for its exquisite timepieces, which were on show during the Watches & Wonders 2022 event in Geneva in April
Chanel was one of the newcomers when the luxurious watch fair Watches & Wonders finally opened its doors in Geneva this spring after two years of postponement due to the pandemic. Exhibiting their novelties side by side with Rolex, Patek Philippe and Chopard, Chanel was there to impress.
The Chanel brand is, of course, one of the most well-known in the world. But the fashion powerhouse was a relative latecomer to the field of horology. It was not until 1987 that the French brand, founded in 1910 by Gabrielle Coco Chanel, launched its first watch, appropriately named Premiére. This first timepiece was unconventionally shaped like Place Vendome, the iconic square in the heart of Paris. It was also heavily inspired by the shape of the iconic bottle shape of the N°5 perfume, complete with the cabochon stopper, which acts as the winding crown of the watch.
The success of the Premiére watch was instant, and with the growing demand, Chanel acquired Manufacture C&F Chatelain in the heart of Swiss watchmaking countryside, Le Chaux-de-Fonds, where watches and jewellery have been part of the landscape since 1947.