I prefer to think of a watch as being clear rather than complicated.
Last year, the J12 underwent a complete redesign. Arnaud Chastain was responsible for the design. To celebrate the J12's 20th anniversary, he added four new series to the J12 this year. "I've carefully prepared to celebrate the J12's 20th birthday. With 'Rock the icon' in mind, I designed four new looks for the J12 to maximize its iconic appeal." The two models are the two-tone J12 Paradox, the J12 X-RAY with a sapphire exterior, and the two J12 20s. The J12 Paradox, which combines two highly resistant ceramic colors, is particularly interesting.
Director of the Chanel Watchmaking Creation Studio. Born in France in 1979. After graduating from the Strait School of Design, he worked for a French watch and jewelry brand. He joined Chanel in May 2013 and has held his current position ever since. He has been involved in the design of watches such as the Première, J12, Boyfriend, Code Coco, and Monsieur de Chanel. The watches he has designed have won the Geneva Watch Grand Prix three years in a row in 2017, 2018, and 2019.
"This watch has a unique vertical asymmetrical structure, which was achieved through the sophisticated technique of cutting two ceramic cases to different sizes and joining them together. I love the way the watch peeks out from under the cuff of a sweater. At first, you see the silhouette of the black case, but as you move your wrist and the J12 Paradox appears, it creates an effect of surprise and pleasant discomfort. It may not suit everyone, and it may take a bold person to pull it off, but I still wanted to express this duality in a luxury watch."
While talking about the J12, Chastan is actually talking about his idea of what Chanel should be like.
"I prefer to think about clarity rather than complexity in a watch. Frankly speaking, I cannot understand watches that require advanced engineering knowledge to tell the time. If Mademoiselle Chanel were alive today, she would have rejected such watches. I have a personal vision for watches. Telling time has never been important to me; it is the style of a watch that fascinates me even more. For me, a watch is a way to express one's identity." However, his attitude itself is "paradoxical," just like Chanel.
"I like Chanel's uncompromising pursuit of visual perfection, whether visible or invisible. The design of the watch, the movement, the materials used, the know-how - all these values are essential to Chanel watchmaking and will further strengthen its identity."
While he claims to prioritize style, the J12 Paradox features an outstanding movement and an extremely well-made two-tone ceramic case. It's easy to see why he was chosen as a designer for Chanel. Chastan embodies the paradox that permeates Chanel.
This new model features a case made from cut, highly resistant ceramic in two colors, white and black, joined together. The lacquered dial is also divided into two colors. The exterior is beautifully crafted. The movement is the Cal. 12.1, a movement developed in-house and COSC-certified chronometer. Automatic (Cal. 12.1). 28 jewels. 28,800 vph. Power reserve of approximately 70 hours. Highly resistant white and black ceramic and stainless steel (38mm diameter). Water resistant to 50m. Priced at 865,000 yen.
http://www.webchronos.net/features/37036/
http://www.webchronos.net/2020-new-watches/45457/
http://www.webchronos.net/news/44225/
