Chanel J 12 Chromatic Launch

While in Singapore, I had the chance to fulfill one of my lifelong ambitions, which was to attend an extravagant watch launch party, courtesy of Chanel and my host Bernard. We arrived at the Helutrans Gallery, nestled in the Tanjong Pagar heavy industrial estate in Singapore. One could say this is a rather unusual setting for the launch of a luxury watch. Any misgivings were quickly dispelled once I saw the array of high end cars parked in front of the complex. We were ushered through the red carpet into a cargo lift, which, when the doors opened was completely painted black except for the Channel logo on the back wall.

Catering was provided by Michael Han’s (ex Fat Duck) 53 Restaurant and the Hors d'oeuvre were sophisticated, tasteful, surprising but not too radical. I loved the ‘vege patch’ with the carrots and radishes stuck in the faux soil.

The Channel J12 was launched in 2000 for both Men and Women and was full ceramic. In 2003 J12 White broke new ground and now in 2011 we witnessed the premier of the J12 Chromatic which is essentially a non colour i.e. like stainless steel. The show was modelled after an installation-style exhibit. Guests were invited through different halls meant to evoke the birth of the mechanics of time, with the first corridor being lit with tableaus of stormy grey skies and an aurora borealis.


The significance of the Number 12 is explained.



The final room unveiled the J12 Chromatic watches which are made from a titanium ceramic which is highly scratch resistant and almost as hard as sapphire.

The Chromatic colour oscillates between black and white, Coco (Gabrielle) Chanel’s two favourite colours. The House of Chanel has developed exclusive polishing techniques to achieve this rich palette of reflections inspired by processes using diamond powder for polishing sapphire.


This was one tasteful experience on many fronts including the watches. Then again one should not expect any less from the House of Chanel.