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A century of women's rowing history finds a new expression in the CHANEL J12 Boat Race trophies 2027, where the precision of haute horlogerie meets the artistry of British silversmithing, honouring a legacy of sporting excellence and equality.
A century of women's rowing history finds a new expression in the CHANEL J12 Boat Race trophies 2027, where the precision of haute horlogerie meets the artistry of British silversmithing, honouring a legacy of sporting excellence and equality.
September 30, 2026
September 30, 2026 saw the debut of the two new CHANEL J12 Boat Race trophies at The Presidents' Challenge, held at Somerset House in London. Conceived by Arnaud Chastaingt, Director of CHANEL's Watch Creation Studio, the designs translate the aesthetic codes of the J12 timepiece into sculptural objects.
Black and white, the signature colours of the J12, distinguish the men's and women's trophies respectively. Introduced in 2000 under the creative direction of Jacques Helleu, the original J12 drew inspiration from the sleek silhouettes of J-Class racing yachts. Its return to the world of competitive rowing offers a fitting continuation of that maritime heritage.
Each trophy features a traditional silver chalice enclosed within a sharply defined rectangular frame. Classical silversmithing meets architectural geometry, expressing CHANEL's fascination with precision and proportion.
Crucially, both trophies share identical dimensions, proportions, and weight. Equality is embedded in physical design, allowing each victory to occupy precisely the same space.
To realise Chastaingt's vision, CHANEL partnered with Thomas Lyte, the distinguished British silversmith and Royal Warrant holder responsible for prestigious sporting trophies, including the FA Cup.
Nearly two years of development preceded the unveiling. Precision casting, traditional engraving, meticulous metalworking, and surface finishing contributed to the creation of each trophy, with artisans dedicating more than 200 hours of craftsmanship to each piece.
The collaboration brings together British silversmithing traditions and the exacting standards associated with Swiss haute horlogerie, extending the artistry of watchmaking into sporting heritage.
In 1927, women representing Oxford and Cambridge participated in their first Boat Race under restrictive conditions. Racing separately, they were judged on technique and style instead of competing directly on speed.
Decades of progress eventually led to a defining moment in 2015, when the women's race joined the men's on the same day and the same Tideway course along the River Thames.
On April 11, 2027, the centenary women's race is scheduled to close the official programme, a position historically reserved for the men's competition.
Beyond their artistic significance, the CHANEL J12 Boat Race trophies give physical expression to a century of progress. Through identical craftsmanship and proportions, CHANEL acknowledges an achievement generations in the making: the right for women's victories to command the same recognition, prestige, and place in sporting history.
