Launched in the year 2000, and realized in black ceramic, the J12 revolutionized the world of watchmaking. It was followed by a reincarnation in white three years later. And today ? Black or white? In 2020, for the first time, black and white come together, without actually mixing, in the new J12 Paradoxe.
The J12 Paradoxe's unique aesthetic is the result of a highly technical feat accomplished by cutting and fusing two ceramic cases of different dimensions - one white and the other black. Assembled together, they form one casing. Born from scratch-resistant ceramic, this operation is unexpectedly complex. To ensure a perfect cut without breaking the material requires a particular expertise, completely mastered by the Chanel Manufacture in Switzerland.
The fabrication of the J12 Paradoxe also requires the fashioning of two specific two-tone elements – the dial and the bezel.
The dial is revealed to be almost completely covered in white, juxtaposed by a stroke of black on its right side. Using tampography, the ring of the bezel is initially coloured black, then white, rendering it in two-tone. The black must be restrained, erased to create the perfect alignment with the convergence line of the white ceramic bracelet.
The Calibre 12.1 powers the watch. This self-winding Manufacture movement, chronometer-certified by the COSC, offers center-located hours, minutes & seconds display, stop-seconds during time setting, date function, and rapid date correction with full correction range. Its power reserve is approximately 70 hours and its frequency 28,800 beats/hour. It includes a single barrel with slipping spring and a balance-wheel with variable inertia and shock-proof system. Finishes include linear and circular satin-finish, snailing, diamond-polished angles and sandblasting.
J12 Paradoxe Diamonds
The J12 Paradoxe is also available in a Diamond version limited to 20 pieces. The case, bezel and dial are made of black highly resistant ceramic and 18K white gold.
The case is set with 40 baguette-cut diamonds (~2.22 carats), the bezel with 26 baguette-cut diamonds (~1.74 carat) and the dial with 21 baguette-cut diamonds (~0.44 carat). The 18K white gold crown is adorned with one brilliant-cut diamond (~ 0.14 carat). The hands are in 18K white gold and the black ceramic bracelet is equipped with a white gold triple-folding buckle.
The self-winding Manufacture movement Caliber 12.1, COSC-certified, powers the hours, minutes, and seconds.
