If history is to be believed, the years after a pandemic are usually followed by a period of exuberance and ostentation. It explains why the Flapper Age of the '20s succeeded the bleak times brought about by the flu pandemic in 1918.
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Flash forward to 2021 and the mood at the Chanel horology department is certainly on the upswing, as the world starts to face the prospect of reopening. And the maison's Electro series of limited-edition rainbow-coloured designs presented at the recent digital edition of Watches & Wonders certainly captured this mood.
The Premiere Electro is numbered at 555 pieces.
Electronic music from the '90s served as the premise and moniker for the series – which spans models such as the J12, Code Coco and the Premiere. In a video to the press, Arnaud Chastaingt, director of Chanel's watchmaking creation studio shared how electronic music "transcended the frontiers of music and created an aesthetic culture".
"In the '90s, this musical movement created a radical new visual universe, which could be described as eccentric, a reflection of nightlife and its atmosphere," he says.
So it is fitting that Chanel has roped in French electronic music record label ED Banger Records to curate a six-track playlist of electro tunes from the likes of Mr Flash and Myd on Spotify and Apple Music. Now that's how you par-tay.
Ahead, we take a peek at how Chanel has created the perfect timepieces that will get you in the mood to boogie.
One of the newest watch lines in Chanel's stable of timepieces, the Code Coco is known for its graphic-slash-minimalist take on the quilt motif for its sleek bracelet design. This year, the quartz-powered watch has been given a maximalist update in a neon pink calfskin bracelet with black trim and lining. The steel case, meanwhile, has been coated in black ADLC to give the timepiece a rocker chic vibe. Limited to 255 pieces.
Produced in a limited run of 1,255, this black high-tech ceramic automatic rendition of Chanel's iconic J12 model gets a much-needed punch with rainbow-hued indicators on its all-black dial.
Taking the neon concept a little further, this automatic timepiece features a black ADLC-treated case adorned with 46 baguette-cut rainbow sapphires weighing bout 6.47-carats. The matte black dial is set with 12 baguette-cut multi-coloured sapphires for its indicators. It's also the perfect weekend watch with a power reserve of about 70 hours. Limited to 55 pieces.
The J12 Electro Dream is also available in a white ceramic version. If the black version exudes an after-hours glamour, then this white version is a jaunty style made for the day with its rainbow-hued sapphires on the bezel and hour markers. Like the black version, this piece is also limited to 55 pieces.
This flashy design combines the beauty of a transparent sapphire crystal bracelet and dial with a sleek and skeletonised Caliber 3.1 in-house movement and the exuberance of rainbow-coloured sapphires into one manual-winding timepiece. The model is limited to just 12 pieces.
Combine your love for chain jewellery and chic timepieces with this quartz watch. The design features a rainbow leather strap interwoven into its ADLC-treated triple-row bracelet. To give the watch more oomph, a black lacquered dial is adorned with the Chanel logo in neon pink. Only 555 pieces are available.