Introducing The Chanel Première Flying Tourbillon Openwork Watch, A Match Made In Heaven

One of the more interesting dynamics in the watch industry has been the budding romance – spurred by market trends – between jewelry houses and haute horlogerie. But of all of the relationships that have formed in recent years, the strongest may be the one between Chanel and Renaud et Papi (APRP SA). The French maison and the master watchmakers from Le Locle, Switzerland celebrated their union in 2012 with the Première Camelia Flying Tourbillon, a watch that combined the qualities of each half. For better or worse? Definitely for better!

This year, the two celebrated their third anniversary with the Chanel Première Flying Tourbillon Openwork, the brand’s first skeletonized watch for women, which again features Renaud et Papi’s stunning flying tourbillon caliber at the center of a diamond frame.

The Premiére was actually the first watch Chanel created exclusively for women, back in 1987, with a case inspired by the octagonal shape of the Chanel No. 5 bottle stopper. While this year’s piece is a tad more complicated, it retains the charm and femininity of the original design.

This elegant watch comes with an 18K white gold case set with 47 black baguette-cut spinels diamonds, 18k gold hands set with 17 brilliant-cut diamonds and a tourbillon cabochon set with 19 brilliant-cut diamonds.

The watch is once again powered by the Camélia Flying Tourbillon Calibre. Made by Renaud et Papi, this manual winding mechanical movement boasts a power reserve of 40 hours and features a shockproof system on the balance, ensuring this relationship will survive any bump in the road. This one is going the distance.

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