Chanel’s Première has always been in its own lane. Now, with a new boundary-pushing blend of jewellery and watch design, it’s going up a gear.
As much as we can check the time with a glimpse at our phone, watches do still serve a function. They’re distraction-free and easily accessible because they’re something you wear, rather than carry – and Chanel rewrites how we wear time.
This isn’t a new initiative, but something deeply entrenched into the House of Chanel, which introduced its first watch, the Première, in 1987. This foray into horology wasn’t one filled with head-spinning movements and complications, but of a stripped-back elegance; one that reflected the brand’s spirit effortlessly. Its octagonal case is inspired by the stopper of a N°5 perfume. The leather embellished chain bracelet mirrors that found on the iconic flap bag. It’s sleek, slender, and snug with your wrist stack, comfortably colliding with your Chanel Crush bangles, and completing your curation of rings. Unsurprisingly, it caused a hell of a splash when Chanel reissued the OG in 2022.
Its jewellery-like nature means the Première doesn’t just work on your wrist. The Première Chain Necklace watch turns your time-teller into a pendant, taking centre stage around your neck. The Première Sautoir belt watch is a longer necklace, and positions your watch as an asymmetrical conversation starter, allowing the leather-entwined links to do the talking.
This year, Chanel continued its innovation in the watch jewellery realm, with the Première Galon. This new take on the House’s classic timepiece reinterprets the couture braid – the finish Gabrielle Chanel applied to her suits to emphasise the edges and decorate the pockets. Now, we see this translated into an 18-carat yellow gold bracelet, set against the black lacquered dial (with diamond options available, if that’s your thing).
The Première is Chanel’s horological headliner, no matter its form. It is an effortless conversion of The House’s couture codes into watch design, with a high-jewellery spirit, unafraid to do things its own way. Here’s to wearing time differently.
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