When it comes to creating an accessory that stands the test of time, few fashion houses do it quite like Chanel. From the instantly recognisable handbags to the two-tone slingback shoes, the maison has a knack for turning the simplest of design details into something iconic. And its latest watch is no exception.
Meet the Première Galon in white gold, the newest addition to Chanel's ever-growing watch wardrobe, launching this week. Part timepiece, part jewellery statement, it's the sort of accessory that makes checking the time feel almost secondary.
First introduced in yellow gold in 2025, the Première Galon takes its inspiration from an unlikely place: the decorative braiding found on Gabrielle Chanel's signature tweed jackets. Known as G_alon_ in French, the braided trim was used by the designer to define the edges of pockets, accentuate cuffs and give structure to her famously relaxed silhouettes. Now, that same detail has been reimagined as a sculptural watch bracelet.
As Arnaud Chastaingt, director of Chanel's Watchmaking Creation Studio, explains: 'Mademoiselle Chanel loved to trim suits, highlight pocket edges, and structure silhouettes with a braid (Galon in French) - thus came the name Première Galon, weaving this iconic braid into a watch bracelet, we bridge the worlds of watchmaking and couture.'
It's a clever nod to the house's fashion heritage, but there's nothing old-fashioned about the result. The rigid, twisted bracelet has all the appeal of a statement bangle, while the signature Première watch face gives it that unmistakable Chanel finish. For 2026, the introduction of white gold and diamonds brings a fresh, luminous feel to the collection, with four new interpretations offering different takes on the design.
Of course, the Première itself is something of a fashion icon. First launched in 1987, it was Chanel's very first watch designed exclusively for women, and its unconventional approach to traditional watchmaking helped establish the house's distinctive horological identity. Nearly four decades later, its appeal remains remarkably modern.
What makes the Galon particularly interesting, though, is the way it blurs the line between fine jewellery and watchmaking. Rather than treating the bracelet as a functional necessity, Chanel has made it the star of the show. It's a watch that looks just as good layered with other pieces as it does worn alone, whether peeking out from beneath the sleeve of a tailored blazer or adding a little polish to a simple white T-shirt.
'I see the Première as a watch worn like a jewel, and a jewel that tells time,' says Chastaingt.
And really, that's the beauty of it. At a time when our phones do most of the timekeeping, the appeal of a beautiful watch is increasingly about what it adds to an outfit. The new Première Galon makes a convincing case for treating your watch as you would your favourite bracelet: something to wear, enjoy and, ideally, keep forever.
Consider it Chanel's latest lesson in timeless dressing. Some things really are worth making time for.
Molly Haylor is a Fashion Stylist and Creative Consultant based in London, and is currently the Style Director of Grazia Magazine.
Main Image Credit: Chanel