In 2014, Chanel continued its iconic J12 series with 36.5mm models named J12-365. The number also implies 12 months and 365 days of a busy year for Chanel women, with the daintier design to accompany them wherever they go and whatever they do.
The collection of J12-G10 with military-inspired straps.
Decoding the number is as straightforward for the J12-G10 collection, released in the end of the year. As the name suggests, the latest timepieces feature a NATO strap for a military chic on feminine wrists.
NATO is a more familiar title for the strap, also referred to as G10 — named after the form filled out by British soldiers to obtain the heavy-duty nylon straps, firstly available in Admiralty Grey.
Military regiments then began identifying themselves with the straps in different stripes and colour combinations. While the British military relies on the strap's functionality, the watch industry made them fashionable elements made from nylon, fabric and leather.
None of these materials are good enough for Chanel, whose luxurious NATO straps are fabricated from alligator skin with large scales. Accompanying buckles sparkle with baguette-cut diamonds for a glamorous touch to the high quality straps.
Available in black, white and grey, the sturdy straps accessorise with the seven members of the J12-G10 time-telling troop.
Limited to five pieces, the largest 42mm model is fitted with a self-winding mechanical movement. The big size allows more brilliance as the watch is embellished with 210 baguette-cut diamonds on the white gold case, bezel and dial.
A centre dial and 12 indicators in black high-tech ceramic stand out against the diamonds, with 27 more of them dazzling on the buckle.
The French fashion house transformed scratch-resistant high-tech ceramic into precious material, firstly in black on J12 watches launched in 2000, followed by white versions in 2003. Adding titanium to the ceramic, and then polishing with diamond powder results in the greyish titanium ceramic.
The different high-tech ceramic materials combine with steel and white gold for six variations of smaller J12-G10 watches designed with diamond-set bezels and diamond indexes.
Powered by quartz movements, the 33mm models boast black, white lacquered, mother-of-pearl or grey dials that are coordinated with the alligator strap of the same colour tone.
