Horological Meandering

Kong
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The Black Gold, Chanel J12 Calibre 3125

Chanel J12 Calibre 3125, the outcome of the partnership between Chanel and Audemars Piguet in 2008.  Obviously, the movement is the AP 3120 from Audemars Piguet while the styling is from the Chanel, continued from its popular J12 creation since year 2000 by the late Jacques Helleu.

The quantity targeted for year 2008 was 200 pieces, and subsequently to be increased.  I felt  this watch was seen more often on the internet and magazines than in 'real live'.

Last year, a piece arrived in the one of the Chanel Boutiques here, and had an opportunity to see and snap some pics.





If I am not wrong, the J12 theme is of monochromatic, started with absolute black and then white.  Along the way, colours
were added by blending with gemstones.

The J12 Calibre 3125, is their  first bi-colour minimalist model, fusing black ceramic with 18K yellow gold.


The parts with 18K gold are the bezel-rim, crown, caseback, deployant buckle, the hands and the hour markers.


From the side, the black ceramic caseband is sandwiched by gold.


Gold crown with


The case and the bracelet are very well-finished.  Silky smooth and all edges were properly rounded.

The only distraction is the glossy black surface is a smudge-magnet.


The flow-design of the bracelet enables the 42mm case to seat nicely on even petite wrists. 


18K gold numerical-hour-markers accompanied by 18K gold hands.

The second-hand tip and the block-hour-markers are coated with luminescent.


Screw-down crown flanked by the crown-protectors.




Black ceramic bracelet with 18K folding buckle.



The caseback is 18K gold with curvex sapphire glass providing a water-resistant rating to 50 meters.

A good subtle curvex caseback, helps the whole watch-head to embrace the wrist.


Clearance for easy dismantling of the bracelet.


The movement which this J12 has is named as CHANEL- AP 3125.

Interesting the reference number was inserted in between 3123 and 3126.



AP 3120

For more detailed on the movement AP3120, please refer to Suitbert's post  : please click here to read .




So what's the difference between AP 3120 and CHANEL- AP 3125?

From the specs and pictures, the differences seemed to be only the aesthetic.

The most obvious is the Rotor. Instead of a solid piece of gold rotor, the rotor-block was cut-out.
The arms holding the 22K rhodiumplated yellow gold, as the perimeter mass is made of mirror-polished ceramic.



The balance bridge of the 3120 looks better.














Couple of Wrist-Shots ...


On a guy's wrist ...


On a petite lady's wrist ...





 
Another question come to mind, wonder why did Audemars Piguet collaborate with Chanel too?

Would also like to hear your thought/s after viewing.  Thanks.


Kong