Style Edit: Chanel’s iconic J12 watch turns a distinctive blue, and stars like Park Seo-joon, Chen Bolin, William Chan, Sammi Cheng stepped out for the dazzling launch in Hong Kong

At the turn of the millennium, the Chanel J12 was born: a timepiece that signalled a new direction in watchmaking and demonstrated that the vibrant, pioneering spirit of the most iconic of all luxury maisons was alive and well. Drawing its inspiration from high-performance yachts and motor vehicles, the J12 boasted a bold, unisex aesthetic and represented a daring step forward in horological material use: it was crafted from ceramic, an important addition to the fine watchmaking canon that combines exceptional toughness and scratch resistance with a pleasingly soft, lightweight quality.
Kowloon’s Clock Tower turned blue for the occasion. Photo: Handout

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.

The Tsim Sha Tsui waterfront all in blue ready for the launch. Photo: Handout
The Tsim Sha Tsui waterfront all in blue ready for the launch. Photo: Handout

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.

Handout
Handout

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.

Angela Yuen sports a Chanel J12 Bleu at the Hong Kong launch. Photo: Handout
Angela Yuen sports a Chanel J12 Bleu at the Hong Kong launch. Photo: Handout

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.

PRINT ONLY – The Chanel J12 Bleu shade is unique to the maison, requiring five years of development from conception to launch.
PRINT ONLY – The Chanel J12 Bleu shade is unique to the maison, requiring five years of development from conception to launch.

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