Not all images were able to load for printing. Please close the print window and try again. The Chanel J12 Bleu 38mm and 33mm, in Matte Blue Ceramic
Sleek, matte blue ceramic for Chanel’s chic unisex sports watch.
Twenty-six years ago, Chanel introduced the J12, a luxury sports watch crafted from sleek, black high-tech ceramic. Designed by artistic director Jacques Helleu, the collection was named after the J-class 12-metre racing yachts competing in the America’s Cup. An overnight success, the J12 appealed to men and women alike with its chic, unisex aesthetic. Chanel’s timeless J12 sports watch returns for Watches & Wonders 2026 in 38mm and 33mm case sizes, featuring matte dark blue ceramic and proprietary automatic COSC-certified Kenissi movements.
Following the original black ceramic model, Chanel embraced the opposite end of the spectrum and produced an all-white ceramic J12 in 2003, preserving the unidirectional bezel, the ceramic bracelet and sporty-chic design of the earlier black ceramic edition.
The striking dark blue ceramic used for the case and bracelet is not new; it was launched around this time last year in two 38mm limited editions after five years of research and development to achieve the desired shade. Described by Chanel’s director of watchmaking, Arnaud Chastaingt, as a “blue that was not quite black or a black that was not quite blue”, the colour has been part of Gabrielle Chanel’s colour palette since 1914, when she opened her first fashion house in Deauville and used the colour for wool and tweed daywear as well as for evening dresses.
Both models blend matte blue ceramic with steel cases (38mm x 12.6mm thickness; 33mm x 12.94mm thickness). Highly resistant ceramic is used inside the steel unidirectional rotating bezel and on the bracelet. The steel screw-down crown has a ceramic cabochon insert and is flanked by guards to ensure 200m water-resistance. To create contrast, the ceramic insert in the bezel has silver-printed numerals and markers. The applied Arabic numerals, the printed railway track in the centre of the matte blue dial, and the peripheral track are also silver, matching the three central hands, each with hand-applied luminescent tips. The larger 38mm reference has a discreet date window at 4:30 with a black background.
In 2019, Chanel acquired a 20% stake in Kenissi – founded by the Rolex Group in 2016, majority-owned by Tudor, and relocated to Le Locle in 2021- to secure robust automatic calibres. The new blue ceramic J12 models are equipped with proprietary Kenissi COSC chronometer-certified calibres. The smaller 33mm relies on the calibre 12.2 with a 50-hour power reserve, while the larger 38mm is fitted with the 12.1 with a 70-hour power reserve. Visible through the exhibition caseback, the movement features an openworked circular rotor, a signature of Chanel watches.
The matte blue ceramic bracelet on both watches is fitted with a steel triple-folding buckle. We await confirmation of the price of the new J12 Bleu models. For more information, please visit chanel.com.
