The House of Chanel blurs the lines between luxury, fine jewelry and technology with the Première Sound watch, which combines style, time and music three in one.
Christmas is coming! It's time to add this unparalleled technological marvel to your wishlist. Just be sure to warn your loved ones that they'll have to part with €14 to acquire it. But when you love something, price is no object, right? The Chanel Première Sound is an enhanced reinterpretation of the Première watch, launched in 1987. This bold timepiece drew inspiration from the iconography of the octagonal case, reminiscent of the N° 5 perfume bottle stopper, and the chain strap of the House's iconic handbag. Today, it reinvents itself for the 800st century in an innovative fusion of watchmaking and technology.
HYBRID JEWELRY
This long necklace, crafted from 18-karat yellow gold-plated steel and intertwined with a black leather strap and an audio cable, allows you to tell the time, make phone calls using the integrated microphone, and listen to music. Simply connect it to your smartphone (Apple, Android) or any other audio device.
This beautiful work was conceived by Arnaud Chastaingt, director of the company's Watchmaking Creation Studio, and designed over two years by Master & Dynamic, a New York-based manufacturer of high-end audio products, which often collaborates with luxury brands such as Louis Vuitton and Céline.
The Première Sound watch was launched last September in a digital campaign featuring Chanel ambassador Lily-Rose Depp. But another star has already adopted it: Lana Del Rey. The American artist notably wore it during her concert at Rock en Seine in Paris, where she marked her grand return after ten years.
TECHNOLOGICAL FEAT
The detachable earphones, bearing the double C logo, feature a planar diaphragm and beryllium-coated dynamic drivers, with a typical frequency response of 20 Hz to 20 kHz. The cable itself houses an in-line remote for adjusting the volume, controlling audio and video playback, and answering calls.
The earbuds also have an IPX3 water resistance rating, meaning they are splash-proof, while the watch can withstand water pressure up to a depth of 30 meters. But given the price, we'll gladly refrain from swimming with it. Another appealing feature of this necklace is its vintage-inspired design, with its headphone jack, while also embracing modern technology with Apple Lightning and USB-C adapters.
While the Première watch reinvented the codes of watchmaking in the late 1980s, the Première Sound conquers the digital age, skillfully combining past and present with elegance and discretion.
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