When Chanel ventured into the realm of horology in 1987, it did so with a touch of elegance and innovation. Under the creative direction of Jacques Helleu, the maison introduced the Première, a timepiece that encapsulated the essence of Chanel’s timeless style by integrating a number of the brand’s signature design elements.
Its octagonal case and bevelled crystal were reminiscent of the cap of the No. 5 perfume bottle, a symbol of luxury since 1921. The black lacquered dial was a nod to founder Gabrielle “Coco” Chanel’s cherished Coromandel screens. And the bracelet, comprising a chain interwoven with black leather, was inspired by the iconic 2.55 quilted bag.
Fast forward to today, and Arnaud Chastaingt, the current Director of Chanel's Watchmaking Creation Studio, has breathed new life into the Première concept. Inspired by Coco Chanel's erstwhile wish of “wanting to be part of what is to come,” Chastaingt has devised the Première Sound watch, an avant-garde creation that reimagines this classic wristwatch as a chic necklace watch, complete with integrated earphones.
Eschewing a bracelet, the Première Sound watch is suspended from a luxurious necklace and features earphones equipped with a microphone and remote control, seamlessly connecting to any iPhone, Android smartphone or audio device.
Designed to deliver an immersive listening experience, these earphones provide passive sound insulation to minimise external noise, as perfectly demonstrated by Chanel ambassador Lily-Rose Depp in these accompanying images.
Première Sound watch in Detail
The Première Sound watch showcases a sleek black lacquered dial, displaying hours and minutes, powered by a high-precision quartz movement. This calibre is in turn housed in an octagonal steel case, treated with a layer of 18k yellow gold and measuring 26.1mm by 20mm for eminent wearability. The crown is set with an onyx cabochon to match the inky dial.
The necklace itself is a marvel of design, combining a steel chain treated with 18k yellow gold interwoven with black leather and a matte black audio cable with 3.5mm audio jack.
Integrated into the cable is an omnidirectional steel microphone for making those all-important calls, plus a remote control for easy adjustment of volume, play, pause, skip and call handling.
The cable ultimately connects to earphones crafted from steel and adorned in black and yellow gold tones. They feature a sapphire glass protective shell and silicon ear tips for comfort.
For audiophiles seeking detailed specifications, the earphones boast a dual driver architecture with a 6mm planar diaphragm and 11mm beryllium-treated dynamic drivers. They offer a frequency response of 20 Hz to 20 kHz, a sensitivity of 89 decibels at 1kHz 1mW, and an impedance of 16 Ohms. Adaptors are included to make the 3.5mm jack compatible with Lightning and USB-C sockets.
Through a clever blend of horology, jewellery and modern audio technology, it seems the Première Sound watch by Chanel is poised to become a new classic in the world of luxury accessories.
For more information, please visit the Chanel website.
