Now, a quarter of a century later, the existing black and white versions of the J12 are joined by a new iteration in a dazzling shade of blue – and to mark the occasion, one of Hong Kong’s most instantly recognisable landmarks also received the blue treatment.

On June 20, the Clock Tower in Tsim Sha Tsui was illuminated in the dramatic shade seen on the new J12 Bleu, accompanied by an event lit up by performances from ØZI and Tyson Yoshi, and with Chanel ambassadors Park Seo-joon, Chen Bolin, William Chan, Sammi Cheng, Angela Yuen and Amy Lo in attendance.

Blue has long been a key hue in the Chanel palette. Gabrielle “Coco” Chanel favoured it in her couture creations and also in her jewellery pieces, beginning with the legendary 1932 Bijoux de Diamants high jewellery collection. In her personal life, she liked decorative items in a blue so deep as to approach black – and it’s this profound shade that is recalled in the new shade developed for the J12 Bleu, in a process that took five years of research.

The unique hue is brought to life on nine watches in the new collection, including everything from a tourbillon version to models with blue sapphires spread across the bezel, dial and bracelet.
