Chanel's Sporty J12 Watch Celebrates 20 Years

Chanel boasts no shortage of icons, from its classic handbags to its imitable tweeds, but not as many fans can instantly recognize the J12. Introduced in 2000, it was the first all-black ceramic round watch ever created. It made a quiet debut, but after several years its popularity only continued to grow exponentially. Now, it is one of the house's bestsellers for two decades, the true mark of a style that is ahead of its time.

Twenty years ago, Jacques Helleu, then-Chanel’s artistic director of perfume and beauty as well as jewelry and watches, was inspired by the sailing yachts at the America’s Cup. Helleu wanted to create a black watch that was equal parts luxury and sporty, landing on ceramic as the ideal material. Working with Chanel’s ateliers and workshops, the J12 Automatic was created, featuring a face and strap of highly resistant ceramic and steel and named for the 1930s 12-meter J-class racing yachts. It was lightweight and unisex—a departure from the standard "women" and "men" styles—which proved to be prescient as modern clients don't pay as much attention to gendered dressing.

To celebrate the anniversary of the style, the J12 is now available in crisp white along with diamond-accented designs—all of which still boast its signature ceramic. Chanel also released a gorgeously illustrated book, Eternal Instant by Nicholas Foules, that celebrates the history of the J12 and Chanel’s journey in watchmaking. Whether you are a die-hard fan or new to the style, below are our favorite J12 timepieces to explore.