Chanel: 6 Things You Didn’t Know About The J12 (Part 1)

IMAGE: CHANEL

Think J12 and the following probably comes to mind. Iconic, sporty and all that gorgeous high-tech ceramic. But that’s about it really. It’s been worn by a myriad of celebrities, it’s its own model in ad campaigns, it’s even popular with both boys and girls, but beyond that, I knew zilch about what truly makes a J12 a J12.

Which led me on a personal quest of sorts to find out more about this timepiece, one that I myself have been attracted to for the longest time (it is, after all, one of the 3 timepieces that’s still floating on my wish list). And because only by truly understanding how and what it is all about inside and out is the only way I’ll be able to appreciate it even more, here’s part 1 of a two-part post since I’d rather not overwhelm you on my first attempt.

Without further ado, here goes.

IMAGE: CHANEL

#1 – For starters, not many know that white wasn’t even the first colour the J12 was launched in; it was black, and that came out in 2000. I would have assumed otherwise, since the one in white high-tech ceramic has become the de facto face of the J12. In truth, the white one (which we are all certainly more familiar with), came out 3 years later in 2003. #mindblown

#2 – Although it is popular with the ladies today, it was created by a man who was seeking to make a watch that he himself would wear. The watch’s face is inspired by the speedometers you see on nautical vessels. Its name (J12) isn’t a reference to Coco Chanel or anything linked to her past; J is reference to the J-class yachts that race in sailing competitions like the America’s Cup. The 12? It’s the length of the yacht in metres used in this class, thus, the J12. #mindblown

#3 – Used more commonly in knifes, body armour and even space shuttle capsules, Chanel wasn’t the first to employ the use of high-tech ceramics, but they were the ones who refined it to the highest degree, a lustrous high-shine material that is non-porous and keeps its colour consistent. It won’t fade, or ‘yellow’ for that matter, and it is said that J12 watches made many years ago look exactly like the brand new ones you’ll see displayed within the glass cases in Chanel boutiques today. Which is saying a lot as far as longevity is concerned, right? #mindblown

Stay tuned for part 2 next week, and if anyone has any questions regarding the J12, just drop a comment here and let me do the research for you. And I’ll be right back with the second part in a week or so.

Images: Chanel

 

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