Chanel unveils Jewelry Watch collection Inspired by Pincushions and Couture

French luxury fashion house Chanel has launched a one-off watch collection of rare beauty dedicated to crafts.

Titled 'Mademoiselle Prive', the capsule was unveiled at The Watches and Wonders, on March 27 in Geneva and comprises of five watches that are a testament to Haute Horlogerie, the 'high art of watchmaking.' Arnaud Chastaingt, Director of the Chanel watchmaking creation studio was inspired by the pincushion which is an essential dressmaking accoutrement used by dressmakers to keep and organize their pins and needles where they can see them, as they work.  

Fans of Chanel would know that founder Gabrielle Chanel always kept two tools at hand in her workshop on Rue Cambon, Paris: her scissors, suspended from a ribbon which she wore round her neck, and her indispensable seamstress's pincushion on her wrist. A nod to the pincushion worn by seamstresses, each watch in the collection tells a story of couture, and is a celebration of the history of Chanel. 

The five pieces are:  

Mademoiselle Prive Pique-Aiguilles Pearls Motif - braided chains, long necklaces, and Byzantine brooches are placed on a black tweed-inspired plate.  

Mademoiselle Prive Pique-Aiguilles Lace Motif Watch - an embellished camellia lace design is replicated using decals, enamelling and hand engraving.  

Mademoiselle Prive Pique-Aiguilles Tweed Motif Watch - comprises of elements of a tweed jacket trimmed with 92 diamonds and a dial with a thimble, scissors, tape measure and chain.  

Mademoiselle Prive Pique-Aiguilles Quilted Motif Watch - five of the house's flagship handbags are engraved and crafted in black mother-of-pearl to replicate the quilted leather effect.  

Mademoiselle Prive Pique-Aiguilles Embroidery Motif - features a black-coated white gold dial with 650 diamonds and a black fabric embroidered with sequins.  

With a dial of 55mm, all of the watches have a high-precision quartz movement and 30 meters of water resistance. As part of the Metiers d'Art collection, each of the high-end timepieces are limited to 20 units worldwide and retail between 175,000 and 250,000 euros. They are available for expression of interest and special order.  

'I like the image of this functional piece of jewelry that adorns the wrists of seamstresses. I am fascinated by the design of objects whose architecture is the product of a practical need. In terms of style, the pincushion commands authority on the wrist, with presence and impact. Its outsize format does not detract from its comfort in any way, and it adapts to all wrists. I love the random design of needles on the surface of the cushion. Organized or disorganized, the pinheads pricked into the fabric dome create a decorative effect that evolves with the progress of the seamstress's work. I have adopted the spirit of this tool to create a watch. While its architecture has the boldness of simplicity, its oversized dial flirts with excess and offers an incredible space for expression. I dreamed of this creation as a blank canvas for the most audacious Metiers d'art. I have imagined five tableaux for this collection: a lacework of camellias, a composition of iconic bags, jewels strewn on black tweed, a diamond embroidery, and a jacket at the pattern stage,' Chastaingt said in a press release.  

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