Petit Déjeuner X Chanel: Taking time

Chanel Boy Friend Tweed watch and Coco Crush rings

Contrary to popular opinion, some of us are still very much in favour of wearing a watch. Not always for telling the time, mind. In fact, these days a watch can almost be the opposite of a passing-of-time marker, instead serving as a symbol of slowing down and savouring the day.

Example: well, that one above. That’s the Chanel Boy.Friend watch (newly released in tweed-pressed steel), designed along the lines of a classic masculine watch, handsome in its simplicity and stylistically suited to any time of day. Sometimes you just want to put your watch on and forget about it. It’s there when you need it – through a leisurely morning, followed by brunch, an afternoon rendezvous, evening drinks – the rest of the time it’s quietly sitting pretty, seen but not heard.

As with most things Chanel, inspiration came from the boyfriend’s closet – yep, the clue’s in the name. Gabrielle Chanel famously adopted her English lover’s sweaters and shooting tweeds for herself, and subsequently for us too. So it’s no surprise that the Boy.Friend watch looks as beautiful worn with a silk pyjama-style shirt as with an XXL cashmere sweater or a gamine gown.

For the casual minimalist, the original Boy.Friend Steel watch with its black alligator strap is a perfect match with weekend denim and a sweatshirt. Or slightly jazzier, yet no less refined is the super-luxe version scattered with 62 brilliant set diamonds. As I said, casual. Note the absence of stitches; that would be too mannish. And the lack of numerals tells us that this watch is for cherishing time, not about clock-watching.

At Chanel, there are now fine jewels that are as cool and informal as the Boy.Friend watch. Venture into the fine jewellery boutique in New Bond Street and you’ll discover the go-anywhere Coco Crush line that’s a world away from what you might expect. And yet, why should we be surprised at the idea of casual fine jewellery? Isn’t that what Coco Chanel pioneered, with her high-low collision of faux pearls with dazzling sparklers?

These Coco Crush rings are made for easy accessorising, for spontaneous stacking, customising, even stringing on a fine chain should you wish. With their discreet yet distinctive matelassé quilting, they come in white or yellow gold, plus a dusting of diamonds, if desired.

The boutique itself encourages leisurely browsing. Enjoy the homely surroundings; admire the Chinoiserie screens, the lion head statues, crystal balls and bespoke Goossens chandeliers. Why rush? For once, live in the moment, savour it, and take all the time in the world …

Chanel Boy Friend Tweed watch and Coco Crush rings
Chanel Boy.Friend Steel watch with alligator strap set with 62 brilliant-cut diamonds and Coco Crush rings
Chanel Coco Crush rings
Chanel Boy Friend Steel watch with alligator strap set with 62 brilliant-cut diamonds and Coco Crush rings
Chanel Boy Friend Steel watch with steel bezel and black alligator strap
Chanel fine jewellery store new bond street
7 Chanel Coco Crush rings and Boy Friend Steel watch with black alligator strap and steel bezel set with 62 brilliant-cut diamonds
Chanel Boy Friend Steel watch with alligator strap set with 62 brilliant-cut diamonds and Coco Crush diamond rings. egg and mirror from Another Country
Chanel Boy Friend Tweed watch and Coco Crush ring
Chanel Boy Friend Tweed watch and Coco Crush ring
Chanel Boy Friend Tweed watch and Coco Crush ring

CREDITS
Concept: Navaz Batliwalla and Emma Miranda Moore
Photography: Emma Miranda Moore
Styling: Navaz Batliwalla/Disneyrollergirl.net
Hair and make-up: Khandiz Joni at Novel Beings
Model:  Hazel at Milk Management
Location: Chanel fine jewellery boutique, 172 New Bond Street, London W1
Thanks to Rebecca Lesley; Teresa and Elise at Chanel

All clothes, watches and jewellery by Chanel. Model wears Chanel Boy.friend Tweed watch, Boy.Friend Steel watch and Chanel Coco Crush rings in yellow gold and white gold. Fragrance, BOY Chanel by Chanel. Mirror and golden egg from Another Country.

This is a collaboration with Chanel. Petit Déjeuner is a collaboration between Disneyrollergirl and Emma Miranda Moore. We create films and editorial shoots based around new beginnings, mornings and motivations. See all our Petit Dejeuner stories here.

#DRGPetitDejeuner

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