Chanel’s signature all-ceramic watch – that’s recently been executed in transparent sapphire crystal – receives the rainbow treatment for Watches & Wonders 2021. Inspired by the electronic dance music culture of the 1990s, the J12 Electro collection is made up of a variety of models that span the price spectrum, along with a one-of-a-kind, 12-piece set.

Initial thoughts

While the rainbow colours seem faddish, Chanel is enough of its own brand – and the J12 a successful enough design – that the line up still feels original. While most of the Electro watches are over the top, the 12-piece set is subtle bling in literally every colour – and truly cool.

It is a shame that the only affordable watch in the line up is a 33 mm quartz watch, leaving all the mechanical options in the six-figure price range. The 12-piece set, for instance, costs over US$1.00m. That said, the allure of Chanel is so great that the globular crystal clocks it debuted in 2018 swiftly sold out, despite the price tag of roughly US$240,000.

Rainbow galore

The most extravagant watch in the line up is the J12 Electro Star, a 38 mm model in 18k white gold set with over 32 carats of baguette-cut diamonds and 13 carats of sapphires. Totalling 267 baguette-cut stones, the sapphires are set on the flanks of the case and links, creating a rainbow gradient of colour. It’s powered by the cal. 12.1 movement made by Kenissi, the movement maker partially owned by Chanel.

J12 Electro Star

The cal. 12.1 of the Electro Star is similarly set with rainbow-gradient sapphires

Conceived as a “12-beat gradation of colour”, the J12 Electro Box is a set of 12 watches, all in matte black ceramic and equipped with the cal. 12.1. Each watch in the set is unique, being set with 46 baguette-cut sapphires of the same colour. Together, the 12 watches form the rainbow gradient from pink to red.

J12 Electro Box

Having been unveiled in an almost totally clear format last year, the all-sapphire model returns as the J12 X-Ray Electro Caliber 3.1. Both the bezel and dial are set with coloured sapphires.

The case and bracelet are primarily sapphire, but held together by 18k white gold screws and pins, while the bezel is also white gold. Inside is the cal. 3.1, a hand-wind, in-house movement made by Chanel’s manufacture.

J12 X-Ray Electro Caliber 3.1

Continuing the theme is the J12 White Electro Dream. This is a polished white ceramic J12 that has the bezel, crown, and back in 18k white gold. It is similarly set with coloured sapphires on the dial and bezel, while the movement is the cal. 12.1 automatic made by Kenissi.

The J12 Black Electro Dream is the chromatic opposite – matte black ceramic with the same coloured sapphires and cal. 12.1 movement.

J12 Electro Dream in white

J12 Electro Dream in black

The cal. 12.1 in the Electro Dream

And the base model is the J12 Electro. It’s a 33 mm ladies watch in polished black ceramic and equipped with a quartz movement. The numerals and scales on the dial and bezel are printed in a rainbow gradient of colours.

J12 Electro

Key facts and price

Chanel J12 Electro Star
Ref. H6816

Diameter: 38 mm
Height: Unavailable
Material: 18k white gold set with diamonds and sapphires
Crystal: Sapphire
Water resistance: 50 m

Movement: Cal. 12.1
Functions: Hours, minutes, and seconds
Winding: Automatic
Frequency: 28,800 vibrations per hour (4 Hz)
Power reserve: 70 hours

Strap: 18k gold bracelet set with diamonds and sapphires

Limited edition: 12 pieces
Availability: At Chanel boutiques
Price: Approximately US$1.25m; or 1,710,600 Singapore dollars

Chanel J12 Electro Box
Ref. H6829 to H6842

Diameter: 38 mm
Height: Unavailable
Material: Matte black ceramic
Crystal: Sapphire
Water resistance: 50 m

Movement: Cal. 12.1
Functions: Hours, minutes, and seconds
Winding: Automatic
Frequency: 28,800 vibrations per hour (4 Hz)
Power reserve: 70 hours

Strap: Matte black ceramic

Limited edition: Unique set
Availability: At Chanel boutiques
Price: Approximately US$1.11m; or 1.488m Singapore dollars

Chanel J12 X-Ray Electro Caliber 3.1
Ref. H6824

Diameter: 38 mm
Height: Unavailable
Material: Clear sapphire and white gold
Crystal: Sapphire
Water resistance: 50 m

Movement: Cal. 3.1
Functions: Hours, and minutes
Winding: Manual
Frequency: 28,800 vibrations per hour (4 Hz)
Power reserve: 55 hours

Strap: Clear sapphire

Limited edition: 12 pieces
Availability: At Chanel boutiques
Price: Approximately US$690,000; or 937,100 Singapore dollars

Chanel J12 Electro Dream
Ref. H6827 (white ceramic)
Ref. H6827 (black ceramic)

Diameter: 38 mm
Height: 12.6 mm
Material: Matte black or polished white ceramic with steel bezel
Crystal: Sapphire
Water resistance: 50 m

Movement: Cal. 12.1
Functions: Hours, minutes, and seconds
Winding: Automatic
Frequency: 28,800 vibrations per hour (4 Hz)
Power reserve: 70 hours

Strap: Bracelet in matte black or polished white ceramic

Limited edition: 55 pieces in each colour
Availability: At Chanel boutiques
Price: Approximately US$110,000; or 148,800 Singapore dollars

Chanel J12 Electro
Ref. H7121

Diameter: 33 mm
Height: Unavailable
Material: Polished black ceramic with steel bezel
Crystal: Sapphire
Water resistance: 200 m

Movement: Quartz
Functions: Hours, minutes, seconds, and date
Winding: Quartz

Strap: Polished black ceramic bracelet

Limited edition: 1,255 pieces
Availability: At Chanel boutiques starting July
Price: Unavailable

For more, visit Chanel.com.