PHOTO COURTESY OF CHANEL
For Watches & Wonders 2025, Chanel’s Watchmaking Creation Studio turns its gaze inward. Not to the mechanics of time itself, but to another core pillar of the Chanel universe, beauty. While J12 Bleu carved new boundaries with its novel blue matte ceramic, the latest Blush watch capsule collection captures the essence of vibrant hues, colour gradations and powder-like textures.
Taking inspiration from the visual language of Chanel Beauté, director Arnaud Chastaingt references signature colour palettes that Chanel's Makeup Creation Studio dreams up. The result is a magnificent showcase of techniques often reserved for the most exclusive haute horological creations.
Timepieces in Chanel’s Blush watch capsule collection feature pad printing mimicking the precision of cosmetic application. Airy gem settings further evoke the shimmer of powders. Selected creations even feature a dimensionality reminiscent of embossed eyeshadows, imbuing a watch with the sensory experience of beauty.
PHOTO COURTESY OF CHANEL
In total, there are 15 creations under horlogerie and haute horlogerie categories. Standouts include the chic BOY·FRIEND Blush which depicts Mademoiselle Chanel blowing a kiss, as well as the Code Coco Blush in a sublime powder pink. Another is ‘Dripping Art’ J12, an exclusive five-piece set that emulates nail polish dripping across the watches’ dials and bezels.
Through the Blush watch capsule collection, Chanel's Watchmaking Creation Studio acknowledges that beauty is not just a product. But rather, it is a core element of the brand’s aesthetic language. In tribute to founder Gabrielle Chanel’s original vision, it suggests that timepieces, much like a face, can through the artful application of colour and texture be enhanced, beautified and ultimately, seen anew.
