Blackbird Watch Manual Vol.11

In the eleventh volume of Blackbird Watch Manual, we dedicate our narratives to the monochromatic theme. In a realm of solely black and white tones, there exists less artifice but greater depth, highlighting details that are authentic and fundamental.

This aesthetic served as a leitmotif for Gabrielle Chanel, whose black and white codes in fashion bestowed her couture with an instantly recognisable signature. This principle has carried through to much of the maison's watchmaking endeavours, evident not only in the iconic J12 collection—which applies ceramic to haute horlogerie—but also in how Chanel has invested in watchmaking over the past three decades. Their manufacture in La Chaux-de-Fonds works in seamless collaboration with the Parisian design studio to create timepieces that remain faithful to the founding vision.

Creating black timepieces has long been a constant challenge to the watchmaking industry. We explore how the industry has developed various techniques throughout the years, through coatings, ceramics, composites, and innovative materials borrowed from aerospace and motoring, to create watches in black. 

To delve deeper into the monochromatic world, we explore diverse artistic expressions such as ink paintings, calligraphy, installations, and photography. These media, expressed through black and white, create visual impacts that underscore their significance in art and photographic history.