Chanel debuts its fourth manufacture movement, Caliber 12.1, in the 20th-anniversary edition of J12
For a fashion brand, Chanel possesses serious clout as a watchmaker. It has worked with some of the best in the industry including respected movement makers Roman Gauthier and Audemars Piguet Renaud & Papi. In recent years, it has also been quietly acquiring stakes in F.P. Journe and, most recently, movement maker Kenissi to bolster its technical capability.
In the case of the J12 with its polished and scratch-resistant ceramic case, Chanel revealed a thoroughly original and modern design when it was released in 1999. It quickly established itself as an undisputed pillar in the fashion house's collection.
Twenty years later, the model is endowed with its first manufacture movement, Caliber 12.1, and features some subtle design updates by Chanel’s watchmaking creation studio’s director Arnaud Chastaingt.
Kenissi, of which Chanel has a 20% stake, developed the new Caliber 12.1 to the Parisian label’s specifications. It is certainly a step up from the previous ETA movement that used to power J12, boasting a 70-hour power reserve as well as chronometric precision that meets the COSC standard. (Side note: Kenissi also has a facility dedicated to Tudor.)