In 2016, the Monsieur was the first exclusively male watch by ChanelIt quickly became an expression of complicated watchmaking made of mechanical savoir-faire, but not only. As demonstrated by the choice this year to equip it with a flying tourbillon. But always in full Chanel style, without renouncing its iconic codes taken from the world of Coco.
Chanel's flying tourbillon is distinguished by its unique aesthetic. The three-dimensional head of a lion, a symbol dear to Mademoiselle's heart, made of titanium and laser-engraved, represents the heart of the device's cage and rotates on its own axis in one minute, also indicating small seconds. The great challenge was to realise it with the utmost precision in such small dimensions because the flying tourbillon, without the upper bridge to show the cage in all its lightness and to show the entire device, is a very delicate system that must be perfectly balanced.
The soul and driving force behind the Monsieur Tourbillon Meteorite is the hand-wound Calibre 5.1. An emblematic small lion's head, the identification of all movements produced in-house by the brand, again appears near the escapement.
But technology is not the only strength of this model. Just look at the dial, made of meteorite. Partly skeletonised, and positioned under the two circular bridges that house the hours and minutes and the tourbillon, it partly reveals some of the movement components. The meteorite plate, starting as a natural light grey with steel highlights, is darkened by a galvanising process that emphasises the contrasts.
The case (42 mm in diameter) is a perfect combination of matt black ceramic and steel parts (bezel, crown and back). Although different from the classic Monsieur, it fully respects its family feeling. Refined and minimalist, yet complex in its details, it adds a new intricate charm to Chanel's expression of masculine elegance.
Price120,000 euro.
