Chanel J12 Timeless Collection Watches

This collection is really a great idea from . It was only a matter of time before their J12 connection went more mainstream. Typically the J12 theme is only used with limited edition watches that are great, but high in cost and hard to find. Now Chanel has decided that the J12 connection is more mainstream marketable (still not cheap though) - something which which I agree. Thus, we have at least four new watches in the "J12 Timeless Collection" that not only has very attractive watches, but deeply imbues each timepiece with a classic style and the J12 + Chanel connection.

The watches here contain one of two movements. First is the  automatic movement that is the more classic looking tri-compax chronograph with three subdials. This is placed in the Seamaster models. Then there is my favorite, the Chanel J12 automatic movement first seen in 2008 on this limited edition Chanel Summer  watch. The very cool movement features five subdials that look like the J12 rings. Functions on the 3888 movement are interesting. In addition to a week long chronograph, is a day-date calendar (date is shown in a window at 6 o'clock). Not sure how useful the seven day long chronograph is, or is that is exactly what odd chronograph dial is used for - Chanel isn't clear on that exactly. Both movements are of course automatics, and likely all COSC Chronometer certified.

Style on the watches comes from some of the Chanel "throwback" models that look to the 1930s I think. You see what I call "railroad" style Arabic numerals that feel old-timey good. The watches have a variety of very visible hands that are taken from other Chanel watches such as the Aqua Terra and some of the J12 models. I think the hands are paired well with the watches they are on. Chanel also throws in their retro style logo, that is in all red with a look right out of granddad's era. These features contribute to the "Timeless" part of the collection's name.

The J12 connection is not evident on all watches (at least on the face). Though I do suspect the casebacks will have some clear engraving with details on this. The models with the 3313 movement have colorful J12 rings as the counterweight on the seconds hand. I've always thought this logo makes a very attractive touch on the dials. But remember that they will only be moving if you operated the chronograph. It would be neat to see them on a non-chronograph watch, as the centrally placed seconds hand to see the rings sweeping around the dial all the time.

http://blog.sina.com.cn/s/blog_13adb1dd60102vc2r.html
http://watchesukchm.pixnet.net/blog/post/243982369
http://redtripera.locuratripera.com/profiles/blogs/looking-at-j12-watches-with-chanel