In 2024, Chanel partnered with the historic "The Boat Race," becoming its first official timekeeping partner and title sponsor. To commemorate the third "The CHANEL J12 Boat Race" in 2027, which also marks the 100th anniversary of the first women's race, Chanel created a trophy. The trophy was designed by Arnaud Chastain, director of the Chanel Watch Creation Studio.
The Chanel trophy to be held by the winner of "The Boat Race" in 2027.
Founded in 1829, "The Boat Race" is a competition between teams from Oxford and Cambridge Universities. On London's River Thames, eight rowers and a coxswain navigate their boats in rhythm, aiming for the finish line. In 2024, Chanel entered into a long-term partnership with this historic boat race, becoming the first official timekeeping partner and title sponsor of the event. Next year marks the third year of "The CHANEL J12 Boat Race," and also coincides with the 100th anniversary of the first women's race, prompting Chanel to design the trophy. The design is by Arnaud Chastain, director of the Chanel Watch Creation Studio.
Unveiled by Chanel and The Boat Race at the Presidents Challenge held on September 30, the two new trophies to be awarded to the winning men's and women's teams feature curves and a three-dimensional design that highlights the polished silver. Furthermore, the trophies are framed in a modern rectangular frame.
The trophy for the women's race features a polished white finish with matte black lines, while the trophy for the men's race has a polished black finish with matte black lines. The contrast between these two finishes reflects Chanel's code colors and evokes the black and white that are synonymous with the iconic "J12" watch collection.
The border around the frame is designed to complement the trophy itself, and the two elements come together to create a truly unique design. At the center of the trophy is a gold-plated silver medallion with a black border, symbolizing the story of the competition. This medallion also celebrates victory and the encounter between Chanel and The Boat Race.
The trophies for both the women's and men's races are the same size and are designed to be easy to handle, including the frame, so that the winners can confidently accept this symbol of victory.
For the creation of the trophy, Chanel collaborated with Thomas Lyte, a leading British designer and trophy maker. Lyte is a Royal Warrant holder, serving as the goldsmith and silversmith for His Majesty King Charles III.
After approximately two years of development and over 320 hours of exceptional craftsmanship in the workshop, these trophies will be the first in the world to be lifted by the winning crews of the women's and men's races at The CHANEL J12 Boat Race in 2027.
Please note that the race order will be changed for the 2027 competition. The men's race will start at 16:40 PM on the championship course, followed by the women's race at 1.5:40 PM (both local times). Both races are scheduled to take place 2.5 hours and 15 hours before high tide, respectively.
Siobhan Cassidy, chairwoman of The Boat Race Company, commented as follows:
"The boat race is held only after the Presidents Challenge, a tradition that dates back over 200 years. There, representatives from the losing crews of the previous year formally challenge the winning crews in an attempt to defend their titles. We are pleased to be able to continue this tradition as women's racing looks towards the next 100 years. This 100th anniversary milestone presents a perfect opportunity to further deepen our long-term partnership with Chanel through the unveiling of The CHANEL J12 Boat Race trophy. All three of us share a philosophy of uncompromising pursuit of precision, function, and form, and we are proud to carry on these values for the next 100 years."
Arnaud Chastain said:
"I feel both humbled and deeply honored to have been given the opportunity to lead the creation of the trophy to be presented to the winner of this momentous race. My aim was to reinterpret and refine the essence of the trophy, a symbol of victory, in a form that is appropriate for the modern age. Through the design, I aimed to express the relationship between Chanel and The Boat Race, while ensuring that the presence of Chanel is felt without diminishing the importance of the trophy and the race itself."
Frédéric Grancher, president of Chanel's watch and jewelry division, also offered a comment.
"Our mission is to support and uphold the traditions, uncompromising spirit, and teamwork that this historic competition boasts. The creation of this trophy embodies that unwavering commitment. Designed with humility and respect for the traditions of The CHANEL J12 Boat Race, this trophy is also a tribute to Chanel's creative vision and to the athletes who shape the competition with precision, discipline, and teamwork. We hope that this trophy will symbolize the achievements of the crews who lift it today and in the future."
On the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the women's race
As mentioned earlier, 2027 marks the 100th anniversary of the inclusion of women's rowing in The Boat Race. When the first women's rowing race was held in 1927, the crews from Oxford University and Cambridge University were not allowed to compete directly against each other, so they raced separately and were judged on both style and speed. It took another 50 years or so before women's rowing was included in the Olympics. The students who took to the water about a century ago were truly pioneers. The 100th anniversary of women's rowing in 2027 is a milestone to celebrate their challenges and the female athletes who have carried on their spirit.
Furthermore, the 2026 The CHANEL J12 Women's Boat Race ranked 5th in viewership among all women's sports broadcasts of the year, including the Paris Olympics coverage.
