It was bound to happen, inevitable. One day the J12 was going to return to its natural habitat: the immensity of the sea, the force of oceans. inspired from birth by maritime symbols, the J12 is celebrating its tenth anniversary this year by stating its identity as an authentic diving watch. With three versions and two sizes, this new J12 asserts its thoroughbred nature without conceding anything to aesthetics. Without losing one Jot of the stylistic design that has made it so successful, the J12 marine is thus setting out to conquer new territory – the depths.

The J12 Marine is a true mix in all senses of the word. it keeps its sport-chic look on the water thanks to a shot-peened high-tech ceramic (black version) or polished (white version) case and a sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating, blue for the black version and colourless for the white version.

Underwater, it adapts to the elements and becomes an irrefutable diver. Resistant to a pressure equivalent to a depth of 300 metres, it has a screw-in crown in protected steel, with ceramic cabochon and shoulders. For the first time, this J12 of the ocean deeps is hemmed with a blue high-tech ceramic bezel, making it powerful and refined. like the bezel, the second and minute hands are coated with ocean-blue ceramic, as if time should only flow with the current.

Designed for those who love the sea, the J12 marine possesses all the attributes of a professional diving watch: toothed, unidirectional, revolving bezel fitted with sapphire disc (white version) graduated to 60 minutes for accurate reading of the diving time, luminescent raised hands, index and figure 12 for perfect readability in the darkness and a pierced, matt rubber strap to let the water through easily.

The caseback is engraved with stylised waves alluding to the force of currents. Lastly, drowning in this universe of transatlantic whiteness, a small luminescent chip illuminates the bezel subtly at 12 o’clock. Submerged, the J12 marine simply becomes more beautiful, splashed with foam.

The new J12 naturally maintains the dna of the original design which gave the J12 its status as one of the most iconic watches of the 21st century. the amphibious robustness of its strap -composite rubber highly resistant to water, shocks, scratches and ultraviolet rays- is somewhat reminiscent of the inflexible solidity of the ceramics in the classic version. Black or white, lacquered dial, self-winding mechanical swiss movement, the J12 is still a J12: practical, accurate, harshly simple, like the men’s watches that miss chanel liked to borrow from her lovers.

I really tried to keep my mouth shut as I bit my lip each time I read about the new Chanel J12 Mysterieuse watch. The idea confused me, and I simply put it out of my mind. Then, while visiting with Chanel in Basel recently I got to see the watch in action. One of Chanel’s watch makers was explaining it while using in front of a small audience who seemed as confused as me. The best thing people can say about the watch is that it is cool because the crown is on the dial. Otherwise, opinions seem scant. The watch looks like a Chanel – in a black or white ceramic case.

They say that the movement is in-house, though I am not sure if it is another product of Chanel’s ongoing partnership with Audemars Piguet. Regardless, that is not the point. My thoughts here concern the big question of not only “why,” but of toleration. I don’t know if my brain can tolerate this watch. Chanel was correct to have the “Mysterieuse” part of the name in there, because operating and reading the watch is just that – a serious mystery. And I don’t think even the Hardy boys want to solve this one.

I have not confirmed the details on this new Chanel timepiece, the J12 Retrograde Mysterieuse. But apparently Giulio Papi (of AP Reaud & Papi) headed the team that created this unique watch to celebrate the anniversary of Chanel’s iconic J12 collection. The resulting limited edition timepiece is surely the most desirable J12 watch ever.

And most complicated. The case is made of ceramic (a signature of the J12 collection), but the open-worked dial, tourbillon and retractable vertical crown are the standout features of this watch.

Source : baseworld

A unique white Chanel J12 chronograph with pink sapphires for “Only Watch” 2009

While I’m not the biggest fan of “fashion” or “jewelery” brand watches, this one-of-a-kind piece by Chanel watch caught my eye – certainly I think it would look good on some nice lady’s wrist!  I do like the look of larger watches on women – but not too large – and I think this watch is sized about right at 41mm.

The bracelet is the J12 signature white ceramic, and the bezel is set with baguette-cut diamonds and pink sapphires.  Even the crown and chronograph pushers are set with pink sapphires – nice! While I know that this watch is not everyone’s “cup of tea”, I remind you that it is for a good cause and thus worth the mention (all proceeds from the Only Watch auction event will go to support medical research for Duschenne Muscular Dystrophy).