Style Edit: Chanel’s new watch and jewellery releases, from Coco Game to the Nœud de Camélia

“At Chanel, everything begins with creation,” says Frédéric Grangié, the legendary Parisian maison’s president of watches and fine jewellery. “We are, first and foremost, a house of creation – just as Gabrielle Chanel envisioned, with a spirit rooted in freedom, rigour and modernity.” That credo informs everything the house does today – and it’s this commitment to authenticity and creativity, channelling the spirit of its founder, that has allowed it to develop into such a horological powerhouse. Chanel’s watchmaking reputation continues to soar, supported by new creations such as those unveiled at Watches and Wonders 2026, strategic partnerships with prestigious events, and smart investments in some of the brightest stars in the horological firmament. To appreciate the direct line leading from Gabrielle “Coco” Chanel to the house’s contemporary creations, look no further than two of those new watches, both of which update legendary Chanel collections: J12 watches in 28mm and 42mm cases, joined by a white gold version of the Première Galon. “The J12 and Première occupy a singular place within Chanel’s watchmaking universe because they are not simply timepieces – they are manifestos of the house’s identity,” says Grangié. “[Their] lasting cultural and horological relevance lies in their timelessness and integrity. Both are deeply rooted in our heritage, inspired by the life and spirit of Gabrielle Chanel. They embody her audacity and her instinct to challenge established codes.” Nowhere can this desire to push back boundaries be seen more clearly than in Chanel Coco Game, an entire collection inspired by games of various types, that includes a series of playful watches, a necklace and even an actual chessboard. It features pieces swaddled in diamonds, in an innovative setting that mimics tweed, and includes queen pieces styled as Coco Chanel herself, her clothing made from diamonds. “To faithfully reinterpret one of Chanel’s most emblematic codes – tweed – our teams developed an entirely new diamond-setting technique, the ‘tweed’ setting, in which high jewellery craftsmanship and high watchmaking converge seamlessly,” says Grangié. “The chessboard constantly challenged ourselves to achieve the highest level of excellence and push the limits of ceramic craftsmanship.” As a brand that exalts heritage, tradition and technical excellence, Chanel found its perfect sporting partner in 2025 when it became the title sponsor and timekeeping partner of The Boat Race, fought out annually since 1856 on the waters of the River Thames between teams from Oxford University Boat Club and Cambridge University Boat Club. “Time and movement lie at the heart of both rowing and watchmaking,” says Grangié. “By partnering with this historic event, Chanel affirms its commitment to values that resonate deeply with haute horlogerie: endurance, precision and the mastery of time in motion.” The maison also chooses its partners wisely in backing independent watch manufacturers, demonstrating its seriousness when it comes to watchmaking authenticity. Over the years, its strategic investments have included the likes of Romain Gauthier in 2011, F.P. Journe in 2018, and MB&F in 2024. These, says Grangié, are “extraordinary creators who embody the spirit of contemporary watchmaking. We seek partners who collaborate with us in the creation of our products. This approach has already led to the development of seven complex mechanisms”. The same judicious eye when it comes to partnerships informs Chanel’s collaborations with elite practitioners of complementary craft skills. The new Nœud de Camélia, a bow-shaped watch that’s also a cuff, for example, was the result of cooperation with Maison Lesage, the world’s most iconic embroidery house and one of Chanel’s 11 resident maisons d’art. But in the end, it’s over a century of heritage, stretching back to its founder, that has powered Chanel’s evolution into a watchmaker of note. “Our heritage is a living force,” says Grangié. “It is never a constraint, but [an] endless source of inspiration that allows us to create objects of emotion.”

Style Edit: Chanel’s new watch and jewellery releases, from Coco Game to the Nœud de Camélia

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Chanel’s president of watches and fine jewellery, Frédéric Grangié, discusses the Nœud de Camélia watch, Chanel Coco Game collection and more

Chanel’s president of watches and fine jewellery, Frédéric Grangié, discusses the Nœud de Camélia watch, Chanel Coco Game collection and more