Chanel is a brand that?s somehow under the radar, while also being enormous. Known primarily for fragrances and fashion, Chanel doesn?t have as strong a foothold in the watch enthusiast community, despite a concerted effort on their part to join the club, along with considerable financial investment. There?s probably a much longer article to be written about the why behind that, but needless to say, as a brand mostly associated with luxury products outside the realm of watches, they don?t often spring to mind in the general watch discourse. That?s a shame, because regardless of what preconceived notions you have of Chanel as a brand, there are some interesting watches being made under their umbrella with design and horology that are worth discussing. The newest Chanel watch, the Chanel Monsieur Superleggera, is a prime example. Is it a fashion watch" Sure, technically I suppose it is. But it has a movement, a complication, and an overall aesthetic that fly in the face of that often pejorative term. 
As the name of the watch would imply, the Monsieur is aimed squarely at men. The line was introduced in 2016, and from the beginning felt like an attempt to go straight at the upmarket, haute horlogerie customer. The Monsieur has mostly existed in precious metals since its debut, but has also been seen in ceramic (a signature of what is arguably Chanel?s most well known watch, the J12). The Monsieur?s big trick, though, and the one that should generate interest a...