Chanel’s latest piece, the Première Sound Watch does not just tell time, it also intertwines the worlds of technology, luxury and style. Unveiled in a digital campaign featuring Lily-Rose Depp, this Chanel classic has been reimagined as something more, draped on a long sautoir necklace, complete with a pair of wired headphones.
When the Première watch first made its debut in 1987, it was seen as a tribute to Chanel’s legacy. Its design drew inspiration from the Maison’s most beloved symbols: the octagonal case, a nod to the No. 5 perfume bottle stopper, and the flexible bracelet, reminiscent of the signature chain on Chanel handbags. Fast forward to today, and the watch’s successor carries on this tradition.
Crafted with vision and innovation by Arnaud Chastaingt, the director of Chanel’s watchmaking studio, the Première Sound is a steel necklace, coated in 18-karat gold, woven with a black leather audio cable. This isn’t just for show—the cable comes with a built-in 3.5 mm jack, ready to connect to your smartphone, be it an iPhone or Android, or any audio device.
Chanel teamed up with the audio experts at Master & Dynamic to create earphones that are as luxurious as they are functional. Decked out in matching gold and black, these earphones are engineered for clear sound while blocking out the world around you. With a handy remote control, you can easily play or pause your music, skip tracks or answer calls. And if you ever want to keep it simple, the earphones can be removed.
The watch featured a 26mm steel case with a black lacquered octagonal dial. This black-and-gold theme continues in the steel crown, also coated in gold with an onyx cabochon. Beneath its exterior, the watch houses a quartz movement with water resistance up to 30 meters.
In the official campaign, Lily-Rose Depp can be seen wearing the Première Sound Watch, but it had already been spotted on Blackpink’s Jennie Kim earlier this summer.
The Première Sound Watch is a limited-edition timepiece, priced at around INR 13.76 lakh ($16,400). It’s set to make its exclusive debut at a Chanel pop-up in the Le Bon Marché Rive Gauche department store in Paris, running from August 31 to October 2. For those who can’t make it to Paris, don’t worry—it will also be available in select Chanel boutiques worldwide starting September 2.
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