1. Where can I buy CHANEL watches?
2. How long have CHANEL been making watches?
3. Are CHANEL watches "Swiss-made" and where are they manufactured?
4. Where do the movements used in CHANEL watches come from?
5. What is the difference between a quartz movement and a self-winding mechanical movement?
6. ARE CHANEL WATCHES WATER-RESISTANT?
7. What are the characteristics of the high-tech ceramic used in CHANEL watches?
8. HOW MANY YEARS DID IT TAKE TO CREATE TITANIUM CERAMIC?
9. WHAT ARE THE PROPERTIES OF TITANIUM CERAMIC?
10. What diamonds do CHANEL use?
11. HOW CAN I LOOK AFTER MY CHANEL WATCH?
12. Where can I have my Chanel watch repaired or resized?
13. Are CHANEL watches guaranteed? How long is the guarantee and what damage is covered?
14. What effects do magnetic fields have on watch movements? How can these effects be detected and what solutions can be used to remedy them?
1. Where can I buy CHANEL watches?
CHANEL watches are available at our CHANEL boutiques and from a limited number of reputable watchmakers and jewellers.
To find your nearest retailer, please visit our store locator.
2. How long have CHANEL been making watches?
Gabrielle Chanel loved to mix up genres and applications, toying with the values expressed by her creations. This innovative approach to art gave rise to cult objects which were to become legendary, such as No.5 perfume and the 2.55 bag. Première watches (first created in 1987) and J12 (created in 2000) reflect the same artistic philosophy.
3. Are CHANEL watches "Swiss-made" and where are they manufactured?
CHANEL watches are made in Switzerland, in CHANEL's 8,000 sq.m. workshops at La Chaux-de-Fonds.
There the creative spark is transformed into innovative products, thanks to the latest digital machinery and tools, combined with traditional watchmaking know-how.
This assures the entire process, from assembling the watchcases and the straps or bracelets to the casing of the movements produced by specialised Swiss companies. The manufacture of high-tech ceramic is also integrated into our production process, but is kept secret so as to protect the uniqueness of CHANEL watches.
4. Where do the movements used in CHANEL watches come from?
All CHANEL watches feature highly precise Swiss movements and are assembled in the CHANEL workshops at La Chaux-de-Fonds. CHANEL offers mechanisms with varying levels of sophistication. CHANEL's partners include the Manufacture ETA, whose movements are among the most reliable in all Swiss watchmaking.
CHANEL also works with prestigious Swiss Manufacturers to develop new movements:
- The CHANEL RMT-10 movement, exclusively designed for CHANEL by Renaud et Papi Manufacture (APRP SA).
- The AUDEMARS PIGUET self-winding movement, customised exclusively for CHANEL: CHANEL – AP 3125.
5. What is the difference between a quartz movement and a self-winding mechanical movement?
Quartz movement
The energy for a quartz watch is supplied by a miniature battery that lasts for several years. Time is marked by a quartz oscillator, which causes a vibration with the energy supplied by the battery. The average battery life for J12 quartz watches is 3-4 years, depending on the model, and 2 years for other collections.
Never leave an expired battery inside your watch, it could leak and damage the movement. Batteries must only be replaced at a CHANEL Boutique, by a CHANEL-authorised jewellery and timepiece distributor or at a CHANEL-authorised watch workshop.
Automatic mechanical watches
A watch with an automatic mechanical movement winds itself with the movement of the wrist, which causes the oscillating mass to turn on its axis. When the watch is not worn, it has a 42-hour power reserve. Beyond this autonomous period, manual winding becomes necessary. When the watch has stopped, it is recommended that you wind your watch manually every two to three weeks to prevent internal lubricants from drying out.
For optimal precision and reliability we recommend that you avoid:
- magnetic fields (magnets, loudspeakers, etc.)
- high-impact movements (through manual work, extreme sports, etc.)
The watch must be perfectly adjusted to your wrist. A poorly fitting strap or bracelet results in the loss of the watch’s autonomy (self-winding capacity).
6. ARE CHANEL WATCHES WATER-RESISTANT?
All CHANEL watches are water-resistant at between 30 and 300 metres, depending on the model. Their water resistance is engraved on the back of the watch case as follows: "30 M."
Water resistance at 30 metres protects the movement from particles of dust, from humidity and from any risk of damage if immersed in water.
Watches are water-resistant thanks to their joints. To ensure continuous water resistance, it is recommended that gaskets be replaced every two years from the date of first use. It is also recommended that the water resistance should be checked whenever the watch case is opened, and once a year if the watch is regularly subjected to immersion in sea-water, swimming pools, etc.
For watches with a screw crown, ensure the crown is completely screwed in before entering water. Never manipulate the crown underwater. If the crown is pulled out, water can seep into the case. If condensation forms inside the watch, this means that water has entered it and the watch must be checked immediately.
For chronograph watches, do not start the chronograph function underwater because water can seep in through the push pieces.
Avoid wearing watches in saunas, hammams, showers and baths, as the high temperature can cause deterioration of the gaskets.
After each immersion in salt water, rinse the watch with fresh water. To ensure water resistance, be sure to screw the crown in after each manipulation.
It should be noted that leather straps are not waterproof.
7. What are the characteristics of the high-tech ceramic used in CHANEL watches?
CHANEL has mastered the savoir-faire required for the use of high-tech ceramic.
Made of zirconium dioxide powder and yttrium, high-tech ceramic has exceptional properties:
- Highly resistant to scratches. The hardness index of high-tech ceramic is 9 out of 10 on the Mohs scale, while that of diamond is 10. Only diamonds can therefore be used to fashion, sculpt and polish each component,
- non-oxidising,
- inert to chemical agents
- Elevated refraction index. A unique brilliance enhanced by diamond powder polishing
From intense black to immaculate white, high-tech ceramic has been transformed into a precious material, revolutionising the rules of watchmaking.
8. HOW MANY YEARS DID IT TAKE TO CREATE TITANIUM CERAMIC?
It took 4 years of research and development to create titanium ceramic.
The titanium ceramic formula used by CHANEL is patented and exclusive to the brand. The manufacturing and polishing techniques, kept secret in our workshops in Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland, are what make the J12 Chromatic a true technological innovation.
9. WHAT ARE THE PROPERTIES OF TITANIUM CERAMIC?
Titanium ceramic is a new highly scratch-resistant material almost as hard as sapphire. Its unique colour and lustre are obtained by adding titanium to ceramic and then polishing with diamond powder.
10. What diamonds do CHANEL use?
In a constant quest for perfection, CHANEL uses exceptional diamonds which meet all the diamond quality criteria denoted by the "4C" label. An infinite number of combinations are possible, making each diamond a unique stone:
Clarity
The clarity of a diamond is determined by the number and the size of visible inclusions in the stone.
Colour
Ideal diamonds are generally distinguished by the absence of colour.
Thus the more colourless a diamond is, the rarer and more precious it is.
An international standard attributes the letter "D" to totally colourless diamonds, with the remaining letters used to measure tints appearing in the stone.
Cut
The cut is the element which enhances a diamond's qualities, thus revealing its incomparable brilliance.
Excellent proportions combined with perfectly symmetrical facets enable light to be captured and to reveal the carefully-selected stone's true brilliance.
CHANEL encourages respect for strict ethical standards in terms of sourcing. Each diamond set in a CHANEL watch comes from legal sources, in full compliance with the certification system of the Kimberley Process, as defined by the United Nations. Under the guarantee system instituted by this process, each partner undertakes to provide a certificate attesting in writing that the diamonds are sourced from non-conflict countries. This particular vigilance helps ensure the credibility of the diamond trade, eradicating the circulation of stones from countries in situations of armed conflict.
Carat
The word "carat" refers to the seeds of the carob tree, used in antiquity to measure the weight of a diamond, and has been the international standard unit of measurement since 1907. A carat is equivalent to 0.20 grammes.
11. HOW CAN I LOOK AFTER MY CHANEL WATCH?
The unique know-how of CHANEL Watches guarantees products of exceptional quality. However, to ensure optimal reliability and durability for your watch, a complete servicing is recommended every 4 to 5 years. This may be carried out at a CHANEL Boutique, by a CHANEL-authorised jewellery and timepiece distributor or at a CHANEL-authorised watch workshop.
12. Where can I have my Chanel watch repaired or resized ?
All work on your watch must be carried out exclusively at a CHANEL Boutique, by a CHANEL-authorised jewellery and timepiece distributor or at a CHANEL-authorised watch workshop.
Specially trained CHANEL repair specialists provide impeccable service by conducting a series of tests and using the most reliable and advanced control systems. CHANEL watches benefit from an international network of after-sale service providers who meet the strictest Swiss watchmaking quality standards.
Any service or repair not carried out by a CHANEL watch workshop or CHANEL-authorised watch workshop exposes your watch to the risk of serious damage that is not covered by the CHANEL International Guarantee. Likewise, replacement parts that do not correspond to the criteria specified by CHANEL are not covered by the CHANEL International Guarantee. For all work carried out on your watch while it is under guarantee, you must present your CHANEL guarantee card.
13. Are CHANEL watches guaranteed? How long is the guarantee and what damage is covered?
CHANEL watches have successfully passed the most rigorous reliability tests devised by the Swiss watchmaking industry. They are guaranteed against all manufacturing defects for two years from the date of purchase marked by the CHANEL-authorised retailer on the International Guarantee Certificate. This guarantee is total (i.e., for parts and labour).
However, it excludes:
- Damage caused by accidents or by misuse of the watch (violent shocks, crushing, rough handling of the clasp, etc.)
- Damage caused by repair or dismantling not carried out by a CHANEL Boutique, an authorised CHANEL jewellery and timepiece distributor or an authorised CHANEL watch workshop.
- The consequence of normal wear and tear of the watch. It also excludes the leather straps and the batteries given the specific nature of these items. This guarantee does not affect your statutory rights and/or the application of any relevant laws or regulations.
IMPORTANT:To benefit from the CHANEL International Guarantee, all work must be carried out by an authorised specialist, i.e., at a CHANEL Boutique, by a CHANEL-authorised jewellery and timepiece distributor or at a CHANEL-authorised watch workshop. This guarantee only becomes applicable on presentation of the CHANEL International Guarantee Certificate, duly completed, dated and signed by an authorised CHANEL distributor.
14. What effects do magnetic fields have on watch movements? How can these effects be detected and what solutions can be used to remedy them?
Depending on the strength of the magnetic field concerned or the length of the exposure, the normal working of a watch movement may be affected. Despite the sophisticated systems with which they are equipped, watches with automatic movements are more sensitive to all types of magnetic fields.
WATCHES WITH AUTOMATIC MOVEMENTS
A powerful magnetic field may cause the acceleration of the sprung balance, which modifies significantly the setting of the movement. For example, the magnetic fields emitted by electrical appliances like televisions and some cellphones, by magnets or by the passenger scanning machines found at airports, may interfere with watch movements.
WATCHES WITH QUARTZ MOVEMENTS
A powerful magnetic field may alter the frequency of oscillation of the quartz, causing the movement to lose time or to stop completely.
To detect if the watch is magnetised, just place it next to a compass. If it is magnetised, the needle of the compass will be deflected.
In order to demagnetise the watch, it must be subjected to a magnetic field operating in the opposite direction. All our after-sales service points are equipped with a device that can generate this type of field.
