“At Chanel, everything begins with creation,” says Frédéric Grangié, the legendary Parisian maison’s president of watches and fine jewellery. “We are, first and foremost, a house of creation – just as Gabrielle Chanel envisioned, with a spirit rooted in freedom, rigour and modernity.”

That credo informs everything the house does today – and it’s this commitment to authenticity and creativity, channelling the spirit of its founder, that has allowed it to develop into such a horological powerhouse. Chanel’s watchmaking reputation continues to soar, supported by new creations such as those unveiled at Watches and Wonders 2026, strategic partnerships with prestigious events, and smart investments in some of the brightest stars in the horological firmament.

To appreciate the direct line leading from Gabrielle “Coco” Chanel to the house’s contemporary creations, look no further than two of those new watches, both of which update legendary Chanel collections: J12 watches in 28mm and 42mm cases, joined by a white gold version of the Première Galon.

“The J12 and Première occupy a singular place within Chanel’s watchmaking universe because they are not simply timepieces – they are manifestos of the house’s identity,” says Grangié.

“[Their] lasting cultural and horological relevance lies in their timelessness and integrity. Both are deeply rooted in our heritage, inspired by the life and spirit of Gabrielle Chanel. They embody her audacity and her instinct to challenge established codes.”

Nowhere can this desire to push back boundaries be seen more clearly than in Chanel Coco Game, an entire collection inspired by games of various types, that includes a series of playful watches, a necklace and even an actual chessboard. It features pieces swaddled in diamonds, in an innovative setting that mimics tweed, and includes queen pieces styled as Coco Chanel herself, her clothing made from diamonds.

“To faithfully reinterpret one of Chanel’s most emblematic codes – tweed – our teams developed an entirely new diamond-setting technique, the ‘tweed’ setting, in which high jewellery craftsmanship and high watchmaking converge seamlessly,” says Grangié. “The chessboard constantly challenged ourselves to achieve the highest level of excellence and push the limits of ceramic craftsmanship.”