CHANEL Métiers d’art 2026 Collection: Portraits of Goldsmiths
CHANEL has unveiled the Métiers d’art 2026 Collection, which centers on the goldsmiths working within the Maisons d’art ateliers at le19M. The collection pairs hand-finishing techniques refined over decades with contemporary design methods, creating watches that function as both timekeeping instruments and sculptural objects. (See the official CHANEL site.)
Craftsmanship and Artistry
The Métiers d’art 2026 Collection demonstrates the specific skills required in horology and jewellery fabrication. Each timepiece documents a particular maker’s approach: hand-chasing, surface finishing, dial decoration, and case polishing. CHANEL artisans apply classical methods—such as perlage and sunburst finishing on precious metal surfaces—alongside computer-aided design tools. The goldsmiths featured in this portrait series have spent years mastering these techniques, and their work reflects that accumulated knowledge and discipline.
Behind the Workshop Doors
The portraits reveal how goldsmiths approach their tasks. One craftsman may specialize in case finishing, employing specific grits and pressure; another focuses on dial application, positioning applied indices with mechanical precision. The collection allows viewers to see the tools used—polishing wheels, hand files, specialized burnishers—and the physical environment where these watches take shape. This transparency distinguishes CHANEL’s approach to communicating horological value.
Experience the Collection
Watch collectors and enthusiasts can examine each piece in the Métiers d’art 2026 lineup. The watches preserve CHANEL’s characteristic proportions and finishing while showcasing the individual hand of each maker. The collection demonstrates how watchmaking skill translates into wearable objects that hold their appearance and functionality over decades.
To discover more about CHANEL’s timepieces and the artisans who create them, explore CHANEL collections.
Conclusion
The Métiers d’art 2026 Collection—Portraits of Goldsmiths documents a specific moment in CHANEL’s watchmaking practice. By presenting individual craftspeople and their methods, the brand grounds its luxury positioning in observable skill rather than marketing abstraction. Collectors drawn to watches that display handwork will find clear evidence of that commitment in each piece.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the CHANEL Métiers d’art 2026 Collection focused on?
The CHANEL Métiers d’art 2026 Collection, subtitled Portraits of Goldsmiths, showcases the craftspeople at the Maisons d’art ateliers at le19M. It documents the specific techniques these artisans use—hand-chasing, surface finishing, dial decoration, and case polishing—combining classical methods with contemporary design tools.
Where do the artisans featured in this collection work?
The artisans featured in the CHANEL Métiers d’art 2026 Collection work at the Maisons d’art ateliers at le19M, where they dedicate themselves to creating each luxury timepiece using traditional hand-finishing techniques and specialized tools.
How does CHANEL blend tradition and modernity in their watchmaking?
CHANEL’s goldsmiths apply classical finishing methods—perlage, sunburst finishing, hand-polishing—alongside computer-aided design. This combination allows each timepiece to reflect both inherited technique and current design precision, distinguishing CHANEL in contemporary watchmaking.
