An ASMR Video Featuring The Chanel J12 Watch
Since its debut in the year 2000 as an all-black, gender-neutral watch crafted from highly resistant ceramic – a design that shattered all expectations of how a sports-inspired watch should be and look – the J12 from Chanel has hardly undergone any major modifications. In collaboration with the maison, FEMALE luxuriates in its modernity and unfailing beauty.
When it first launched, the J12 broke new ground for its never-before-seen glossy, all-black ceramic finish. Three years later, Chanel did it again with an all-white version and the two colours have been the J12’s trademark since.
It’s all in the make. The intense black of the Chanel J12 is possible because of the brand’s use of a revolutionary material: extremely durable, hardly scratchable ceramic that’s light and soft on the skin yet seven times more resistant than steel.
J12 Calibre 12.1 38mm ceramic and steel watch, Coco Crush 18K white gold single ear cuff with diamonds, Comete Chevron 18K white gold single earring with diamonds, Coco Crush small 18K beige gold ring (on left ring finger), matching 18K white gold ring (on left index finger), Coco Crush mini 18K beige gold ring (on right index finger, bottom), Coco Crush small 18K white gold ring with diamonds (on right index finger, top), and Coco Crush large 18K white gold ring (on right middle finger), Chanel Watch and Fine Jewellery. Vest, Sleeveless shirt, Chanel
Every step in the production process of the highly resistant ceramic used to create the J12 – be it black or white – is handled in-house by the Chanel Watch Manufacture department. This includes the choosing of raw materials; putting them into a mould and using heat and pressure to give each piece of ceramic its basic shape and ensure its uniformity and quality; and debinding (depicted opposite), which removes the agent used to bind the raw materials so the ceramic is ready for the all-important step of sintering that gives it its unique properties.
Meticulous smoothing and polishing of the ceramic by the Chanel watch manufacture department gives the black Chanel J12 its deep colour, and the white Chanel J12 its stunning shine.
J12 Watch Calibre 12.1 38mm ceramic and steel watch with diamond indicators, Coco Crush 18K beige gold single ear cuff, Comete Chevron 18K white gold single earring with diamonds, Coco Crush mini 18K beige gold ring (on left index finger, bottom), and matching 18K white gold ring with diamonds (on left index finger, top), Chanel Watch and Fine Jewellery. Top, Chanel. Skirt and stockings, stylist’s own
The only changes ever made to the signature J12 design came in 2019 in the lead-up to the watch’s 20th anniversary and were ever so-slight, meant to improve it without changing its look. Among them: the introduction of a 12.1 calibre automatic movement, which offers a solid 70-hour power reserve and can be admired through the transparent sapphire crystal on the back of the one-piece (read: even stronger) ceramic case – another IYKYK update.
Just how deep in water can the Chanel J12 – a watch inspired by the majestic silhouettes of the America’s cup racing class sailboats – go? A cool 200m.
J12 Paradoxe Calibre 12.1 38mm ceramic and steel watch, Coco Crush 18K white gold single ear cuff with diamonds, Comete Chevron 18K white gold single earring with diamonds, Coco Crush mini 18K white gold ring with diamonds (on right index finger, top), Coco Crush small 18K white gold ring (on right index finger, bottom), Coco Crush mini 18K beige gold ring (on left index finger, top), matching 18K yellow gold ring with diamonds (on left index finger, bottom), and Coco Crush small 18K beige gold ring (on left ring finger). Chanel Watch and Fine Jewellery. Cardigan, Chanel. Left: J12 Watch Calibre 12.1 38mm ceramic and steel watch, Chanel Watch and Fine Jewellery
Remember how we said the J12 only comes in black or white? In 2020, Chanel launched the J12 Paradoxe, the first design to fuse both black and white ceramic on one watch and ultra-seamlessly at that, thanks to a highly complex technical process. Needless to say, it’s also highly in demand.
Part of the Chanel J12’s androgynous appeal lies in its sturdy original 38mm size. Those who prefer something daintier though have the 33mm option – also available in black or white, and equipped since 2019 with the 12.2 calibre automatic movement that offers a 50-hour power reserve.
J12 Calibre 12.1 38mm ceramic and steel watch, Comete Chevron 18K white gold single earring with diamonds, Coco Crush 18K white gold necklace, matching small 18K white gold ring (on left middle finger), and Coco Crush mini rings in 18K white gold and 18K yellow gold with diamonds (on right index finger), Chanel Watch and Fine Jewellery. Top and jeans, Chanel. Opposite: J12 Calibre 12.2 33mm ceramic and steel watch, Coco Crush mini 18K beige gold ring (on index finger, bottom), matching 18K white gold ring with diamonds (on index finger, top), and Coco Crush small 18K beige gold ring (on ring finger), Chanel Watch and Fine Jewellery. Jacket, Chanel
To make sure the J12 withstands the test of time, its ceramic bracelet is entirely hand-assembled link-by-link and several tests, including the manual winding of its crown, are done again under the precise eye of the Chanel Watch Manufacture department.
COORDINATION NOELLE LOH PHOTOGRAPHY STEFAN KHOO STYLING DAMIAN HUANG
This article first appeared in the April 2024 Art Book by FEMALE