On the 35th anniversary of its first watch creation and the beginnings of its watchmaking division, Chanel is reissuing its iconic Première Original Edition reedition.
The Première was conceived by Jacques Helleu, Artistic Director at Chanel, who declared, “I fought to make a design that was strong, that was unique, that – more than just launching a single collection – would become an eternal reference.”
The Première's dial and beveled glass are instantly recognizable by their octogonal shape. A geometry directly inspired by the stopper of the N°5 perfume bottle, which in turn recalls the outline of place Vendôme, which Gabrielle “Coco” Chanel viewed from her suite at the Ritz.
This icon is joined by another one: the interwoven leather and chain strap of the iconic quilted bag. The Première makes it its flexible bracelet, fitted with an incredibly refined clasp. Thus the Première plays with these icons to create a new one, one that will endure the test of time.
It was a category-changer for the watch industry which was then dominated by masculine codes. For the first time, a watch intended for women was not a scaled-down version of a men’s watch, but an elegantly audacious creation wholly dedicated to them.
Since then, the spirit of the Première has lived on as an ode to the freedom of every woman who lives in the present and seizes the moment.
“The Première was the first page in our watchmaking history. It was born out of an absolute freedom of creation and it initiated a vision, the “Allure of Time” as measured by CHANEL. In 2022, I wanted the Premiere to find its place again and to put it at the heart of our collection. This creation is our DNA and a CHANEL code through and through. Far more than a watch, the Première is a lesson in style,” adds Arnaud Chastaingt, Director of the Watchmaking Creation Studio.
