Coco famously said, “Women think of all colors except the absence of color. I have said that black has it all. White too. Their beauty is absolute. It is the perfect harmony.” This sentiment has come alive at Watches and Wonders 2026 as Chanel successfully blurred the lines between high jewelry, sculpture, and watchmaking with one decisive checkmate. Rewriting the rules of horology, the Maison unveiled a diamond-encrusted chess set that isn’t just for passing time; it is a masterpiece of adornment designed for those who live for the novel and the niche.
Part of the “Coco Game” collection, this one-of-a-kind (pièce unique) creation carries a $4.1 million price tag, justified by a staggering 9,200 diamonds totaling more than 110 carats, reported Galerie. The board alone is a feat of patience, requiring 900 hours of gem-setting to frame 64 squares of black and white high-tech ceramic within an obsidian base.
The stars of the game are undoubtedly the two “Queens” sculpted in the likeness of Gabrielle Chanel. In a clever nod to the brand’s secret watch heritage, Mademoiselle Coco conceals a hidden clock beneath her pedestal. These figurines are as versatile as they are stunning, detaching from the board to be worn as elongated pendants on a white gold, diamond, and onyx chain. The attention to detail is remarkable, with Chanel’s signature tweed jacket recreated using 842 brilliant-cut diamonds on the white queen and 193 diamond accents on the black.
The rest of the set serves as a miniature gallery of Chanel icons; the King is represented by the Lion (Coco’s zodiac sign), the Bishops are inspired by the Vendôme Column, couture busts serve as Knights, and the pawns mirror the sleek aesthetic of the J12 ceramic watch. This masterpiece, which took three years to develop, is officially the most expensive lifestyle object ever released by the House.
While the 2024 fair saw Chanel charm collectors with the J12 Automaton Caliber 6, this year they have truly elevated Mademoiselle to a supreme royal position, keeping time right at her feet.
