No two press conferences are the same and neither are the jewelry they showcase. But some are more eye-catching than others. It’s easy to create something that people will talk about, but making them fall in love at first sight is harder. This is what Chanel has achieved with the new large-sized watches from the Mademoiselle Privé Pique-Aiguilles collection. So amazing you can hear a pin drop…
Mademoiselle Privé Pique-Aiguilles: a tribute to the Métiers d’Art
Mademoiselle Privé Pique-Aiguilles is a love letter to Gabrielle Chanel. This new collection includes five watches, each limited to 20 pieces. Chanel is never short of surprises, and this extremely oversized watch is the fashion house’s latest trick. It’s only fair that these extremely sophisticated dials should have a large diameter: 55mm. Many of the Maison’s tailors have created remarkable work. The result is incredibly detailed – and high fashion. Each piece invites you deeper into the legendary creator’s universe: tweed jackets, legendary handbags, iconic link jewels, precious diamonds and delicate floral lace.
The soul of a tailor
To create a collection inspired by haute couture, Arnaud Chastaingt, director of the Watchmaking Atelier at Chanel, borrowed an essential tool from the garment industry: the pincushion (pique-aiguilles in English). France). Tailors kept the pins used in their craft on large arches of fabric tied to their wrists. This trusted tool has now acquired the reputation and distinction it deserves. The watch’s domed case resembles the shape of a pincushion – a bold yet functional reinterpretation. With its attractive black fabric strap, the watch hugs the wrist perfectly.
Mademoiselle Privé Pique-Aiguilles: telling her own history
The spirit of Chanel is clearly present in the nostalgic tone of this quintet of watches. All are unique and linked by a common thread. Choosing just one seems impossible, and it just makes you want to collect them all… One can dream.
Pearl motifs…
Housed in a yellow gold case set with 211 diamonds, the watch’s dial boasts a tweed design woven with intricately sculpted yellow gold jewels. Keen eyes will spot a long black lacquered necklace, another set of pearls and five diamonds, and two Byzantine brooches in onyx and diamonds, scattered across the dial in the chaos. controlled chaos.
The next model is similarly technical and requires some specialized art gauges to create its dial. The yellow gold surface of the dial is hand-engraved for texture, then coated with matte “Grand Feu” enamel for depth and shine. The delicate lace of the camellia motif is created using several overlay decals. Pearls and diamonds are studded everywhere.
With a playful twist, this couture-inspired timepiece features a black tweed jacket motif, signature of the Chanel collection. This miniature atelier has it all: thimble, scissors and tape measure, accented in yellow gold. As a nod to the jacket’s design, the dial is decorated with 92 diamonds.
Mademoiselle Chanel cannot lack sequins and diamonds. The dial of this handcrafted piece celebrates her sparkling elegance with a setting of 250 cut diamonds that shine as bright as freshly fallen snow. The result is hypnosis.
To complete this unique, atypical collection, the yellow gold dial of the Quilted Motif watch features a miniature Chanel bag. In fact, many of them feature black quilted leather and the iconic chain strap in yellow gold, adorned with a diamond pendant. The devil is in the details, but they are stunning, with the addition of a baguette-cut diamond on the pocket hook.