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Upon the advent of watches in the 16th century, the innovation of everyday timekeeping was a habit kept from women. Though keeping track of the hours and minutes that made up the day has long been an evolutionary instinct, the act of actually measuring these moments was reserved exclusively for men. Even once watches became available to women two centuries later, pieces were designed with the utmost discretion, often disguising dials. When the working boom of the 1980s saw women’s watches become more commonplace, our horological standards had evolved – women needed more than just what everyone else had.
First launched in 1987, Chanel’s Première collection embodied this dynamic demand for watches that went beyond the functionality of its contemporaries. A revolutionary design that married the worlds of horology and high jewellery, the release marked a significant shift from utilitarian timekeeping to a new language of wristwear, one that boldly embraced a timeless approach.
At the heart of the Première’s allure is its Édition Originale. Drawing inspiration from the Parisian landmarks that define the Chanel aesthetic, the octagonal dial echoes the architectural grandeur of Place Vendôme while also paying homage to the stopper of the iconic Chanel N°5 perfume bottle. The clean, minimalist lines of the watch’s face and elegant bracelet – interwoven with black leather and gold, like the Maison’s iconic handbag chains – embody the house’s unique ability to fuse tradition with modernity. More than a watch, it offers an heirloom of style. Equally, the collection’s Ribbon and Gourmette Chain iterations express dualities, with the former’s smooth wristband nimbly wrapping around the wrist while the robust metal chain of the latter radiates strength.
In redefining how women could engage with watches in a world where timepieces had long been seen as functional objects, Chanel’s Première envisioned them as part of a woman’s complete wardrobe – accessories that served as extensions of her personality and style. Today, the Première Édition Originale continues to offer its versatility, bringing the fluid elegance of Chanel couture to every day, with the house expanding on the Première universe with the addition of limited-edition pieces like the Première Cuff and the Sautoir-Belt in 2024.
Boasting the same classic motifs, the Première Cuff takes the sophisticated design of its reference and amplifies it with a bold, sculptural presence – effortlessly changing from a statement piece to a staple upon the wearer’s whim. Meanwhile, the Première Sautoir-Belt transforms the concept entirely, blending the worlds of Chanel’s sartorial signatures with timekeeping. Draped around the waist, it is a daring reimagining of the watch as an accessory that defies convention and valiantly endears itself to the world.
With the accessories that make up Première, Chanel provides more than just a watch, but a canvas for endless reinvention that emboldens its wearer. With the same thoughtful approach to design and a regard for the dynamic needs of women that have seen the house endure throughout its century in business, Chanel continues its legacy of eschewing the rules in lieu of something a little more exciting.
SHOP THE CHANEL PREMIÈRE COLLECTION NOW.
TOP BANNER IMAGE: PREMIÈRE RIBBON WATCH, SHOP NOW, COCO CRUSH BEIGE GOLD & DIAMOND EARRINGS, SHOP NOW, COCO CRUSH YELLOW GOLD SLIM RING WITH DIAMONDS, SHOP NOW, WOOL DRESS, SHOP SIMILAR, CHANEL
PHOTOGRAPHY: LILLI WATERS
FASHION DIRECTION: AILEEN MARR
HAIR: FABIO VIVIAN
MAKEUP: ISABELLA SCHIMID
FASHION ASSISTANT: KELLY HARTY
MODEL: LILY VANDER MEEDEN / IMG
WORDS: PEMA BAKSHI
THIS FEATURE IS PUBLISHED IN THE 19TH EDITION OF GRAZIA INTERNATIONAL. ORDER YOUR COPY HERE.
