====== Chanel ======
**Chanel** is a fashion house that has produced luxury watches in Switzerland since [[1987]].

===== History =====
The Chanel jewelry brand was created in [[1932]] in [[Paris]]. The Chanel watch brand was launched in [[1987]] with the [[Chanel Première]], produced under contract in Switzerland and sold in a new Paris boutique opened that same year. Chanel acquired this supplier, [[G&F Châtelain]] of [[La Chaux-de-Fonds]], in [[1993]], establishing their own watchmaking presence. Chanel is owned by Gérard and Alain Wertheimer, who also have an investment in [[Bell & Ross]].

In [[1999]], Chanel announced the iconic and celebrated unisex [[Chanel J12]]. Originally available in black [[ceramic]], the white version was introduced in [[2003]] and would become its signature piece. Later, Chanel diversified into mens watches with the [[Chanel Monsieur]] and [[Chanel Boy-Friend]].

Chanel surprised the industry in [[2005]] with the [[Chanel J12 Tourbillon]], an aggressive move for the young brand and the first with a [[ceramic]] main plate. Credibility continued to improve due to a partnership with [[Audemars Piguet]] which resulted in the launch of [[Chanel 3125|Cal. 3125]] in the J12. Chanel also works with [[Giulio Papi]], who helped create the [[2010]] [[Chanel J12 Rétrograde Mystérieuse]] and the [[2012]] [[Chanel Première Flying Tourbillon]] with [[Renaud et Papi]]. In [[2016]], the [[Monsieur de Chanel]] collection was introduced, along with an in-house high-end complicated movement.

In [[2018]], it was revealed that Chanel had purchased a 20% stake in prestigious watch manufacturer [[F. P. Journe]]. The next year, Chanel purchased 20% of [[Kenissi]], a movement manufacturer which shares half of a [[Le Locle]] factory with [[Tudor]]. Kenissi produced an [[in-house]] movement for the [[Chanel J12]] starting in [[2019]]. [[Chanel 12.1|Cal. 12.1]] is based on the Tudor [[MT5600]] movement family.

Chanel has won 6 awards at the prestigious [[Grand Prix d'Horlogerie de Genève]] [[as of 2019]] and has swept the Ladies' Watch category since [[2017]].


{{tag>Watch_brands Watch_brands_Switzerland Watch_brands_France FHH}}