Chanel’s J12 Chromatic on the wrist
I firmly believe that the world needs more elegant diving watches. Like this one, the latest model from Chanel’s hugely successful ceramic line. Previously photographed here, today there exists a full review from a month around the wrist with the reference H2979 Chanel J12 Chromatic. Available in 33mm quartz, and 38 and 41mm automatic, the J12 Chromatic uses the famous Chanel ceramic expertise to produce a watch with the look and feel of metal.
Fellow writer James Stacey and that i differ with Ariel in our preferred size of watch. In Ariel’s hands-on, his take was “I really like the feel of the Chromatic on my wrist, but would love for a 43-45mm wide size.” Me? I've found 38mm to be just right, but read on and see if you agree or not.
The Calibre 1 motion is wound running at 3Hz with 3 days of power reserve. Layout and completing are beautiful – and obviously, you can see it via the display caseback. Be conscious that Chanel Ultra Watch did not provide images of the caseback of this new platinum Monsieur de Chanel, so the caseback images are of the past year’s 18k beige gold version. The movement offers only time with two interesting complications. First is an instant-jumping hours indicator (located at 6 o’clock) and then is a retrograde minute indicator which follows a 240-degree arc around the dial. It is very slick. The most traditional part around the watch is that the subsidiary seconds dial. Everything you have is a attractive dial that is both legible and interesting.For 2021, what is new are those black dials, that are generated from grand feu tooth – and they should look lovely. Last year’s introduction Monsieur watches had silver-toned dials, so adding a black dial is really a valuable addition to the group. What is new is that the platinum (65 g of it) case for the Monsieur de Chanel. The 2021 models arrived 18k beige and 18k white gold. The case is 40mm wide and 10mm thick, allowing it to wear very comfortably around the black alligator strap.There is a growing grasp of high-end watches from fashion houses which may traditionally be associated with women’s items. I think I’ve mostly assisted this trend by attempting to point out the inherent quality and good layout of the greatest of those watches. The Chanel Monsieur must have what is necessary to remove potential bias some men might have from wearing a Chanel item on their own wrist. As I continue to say, if you need just one persuasive argument for wearing a men’s watch in a brand like Chanel, it’s that many more women will give your watch up a horn… always a precious point for individuals who appreciate positive watch choice feedback. Price for that 2021 variant of the Monsieur de Chanel in platinum is63,000.
By my measurements, this really is 38mm, 41 at the widest area of the bezel, and 46.6mm lug to lug. A slender 10.2mm thick in the center of the domed crystal, tapering to 9.5mm at the edge. The bracelet is 18mm tapering just slightly down to 17mm, 5mm thick with sprung deployant clasp. Crown is domed, unsigned and 6.5mm. 141 grams in weight such as the bracelet, similar to steel watches of the identical size. It’s also available in 41mm, and in 33mm quartz versions.
The movement is, I believe, the tracteur ETA 2892, my all-time favorite. Tough, accurate, simple to service, and thinner than the 2824 to boot. You’ll find it because the base for much more expensive watches, all sorts of brands, as well as being used for modules from Dubois Depraz. For example, the Omega 1120 and IWC 30110 are lightly modified 2892s. There are some decent pictures of it in the RGM 151P review.
The white ceramic J12 arrived on the scene over a decade ago and has had a huge impact. Every day I see people, most often women, wearing white ceramic watches and brands such as IWC have introduced ceramic models too. The Chromatic series takes ceramics, naturally porous, and adds molten titanium, filling the pores and infusing in to the material. Sounds like Hublot’s “magic gold” process. I’m not going to destructively test a loaner watch, so we’ll think that the material will age as promised, namely extremely strong and scratch-resistant.
Chanel Watches J12 J12 chromatic, bezel closeup
Chanel does great finish work, with flawless detailing and polishing. Ceramic bezel, of course, though no lume pip. This is a dress diver, not a tool diver.
Chanel J12 chromatic, face angle
Elegance is all about restraint, and that’s the key to appreciating this watch. It’s much less large, or too shiny, or even too flashy with its shades-of-grey color scheme. It’s restrained. Understated.
