Chanel Watches

Chanel Watches

Yes, that Chanel.

And before you write it off as just another fashion house dabbling in quartz, here’s the truth: Chanel has spent the last 20 years building one of the most legit high-watchmaking

operations in the game — quietly investing in movement makers, materials labs, and mechanical credibility.

It’s not just luxury. It’s serious horology in a couture wrapper.

A Little History

Chanel entered the watch world in 1987 with the launch of the Première, a minimalist rectangular dress watch styled after the Place Vendôme. It was elegant, feminine

and very much in line with the brand’s aesthetic roots.

But the real breakthrough came in 2000, with the J12 — a ceramic sports watch that blended high fashion and high function before that was even a thing.

Designed by Jacques Helleu, the J12 was sporty, sleek, and built like a tank. And it didn’t take long before watch collectors started paying attention.

Fast forward to today? Chanel owns a piece of Kenissi, the movement manufacturer that supplies Tudor, Norqain, and other high-end independents. They also produce

watches in G&F Châtelain, their own case and component facility in La Chaux-de-Fonds.

Translation: Chanel isn’t outsourcing credibility. They’re building it in-house.

What Collectors Love

Chanel watches hit two very different sweet spots: clean, iconic design and unexpected mechanical chops.

Key models:

  • J12 — the flagship: full ceramic case and bracelet, unisex sizing (33–41mm), dive-style bezel, and COSC-rated automatic options. Available in black, white, limited colors, and high jewelry variants.

  • Monsieur de Chanel — a men’s dress watch powered by an in-house jumping hour and retrograde minute movement, developed with Romain Gauthier. Quietly one of the coolest modern dress complications out there.

  • Première and Boy.Friend — minimalist quartz or mechanical models with Chanel fashion DNA and understated elegance.

  • Mademoiselle Privé and Code Coco — haute couture-inspired pieces for collectors who appreciate watchmaking as wearable art.

Movements range from ETA-based autos in earlier pieces to fully in-house calibers in the J12 Calibre 12.1 and Monsieur line. And the finishing? Sleek.

Sculptural. Always Chanel.

Why Chanel Actually Belongs in the Watch Conversation

Because they’ve done what few fashion houses have: crossed the line into real horology.

They’ve invested in movement manufacturing. Partnered with master watchmakers. Released GPHG-winning designs. And created watches that not only look good

— but are also built to last, perform, and hold their own next to serious Swiss competitors.

Plus, the ceramic game? They basically invented the category. No one does it better — not Hublot, not Rado, not anyone.

What’s Out There Now

Chanel’s lineup includes:

  • J12 Quartz and Automatic — in multiple sizes and materials, including ceramic, ceramic-steel, and ceramic-gold

  • J12 Caliber 12.1 — COSC-certified, Kenissi-powered, transparent caseback

  • Monsieur de Chanel — white gold, platinum, or ceramic with in-house complication

  • Première, Boy.Friend, Code Coco — fashion-forward, quartz or mechanical, often jewelry-adjacent

  • High Jewelry and Skeleton models — six-figure pieces with sapphire, baguette diamonds, and flying tourbillons

On the pre-owned side? J12s are popular, especially full ceramic black or white automatics, and Monsieur de Chanel models are rising in collector awareness.

Fed’s Take

Chanel surprised me. I remember the first time I handled a J12 Ceramic Automatic and thought — “this is better built than half the sports watches out there.”

Then I saw the Monsieur de Chanel. Jumping hour, retrograde minutes, in-house movement made with Romain Gauthier? It’s a collector’s sleeper. Legit.

Chanel gets design and engineering. And if you’re a collector with taste — not just brand loyalty — their watches belong in the conversation.

Check Out Our Chanel Inventory

Delray Watch is always on the lookout for unique Chanel watches — especially J12, Monsieur de Chanel, and Boy.Friend models.

If you have a Chanel watch you’re ready to sell or trade – reach out. We’re always buying.

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