Chanel launched its J12 ceramic watch in 2000.
The J12 was created by Chanel artistic director Jacques Hélleu and drew inspiration from two of his interests: automobiles and sailing. Its sporty, unisex character distinguished it from the delicate jewelry watches commonly associated with fashion houses. The design used highly scratch-resistant ceramic for the case and bracelet, helping make ceramic a fashionable luxury-watch material.
The J12’s name refers to the J-class yachts that competed in the America’s Cup. Chanel’s first J12 models were introduced around the turn of the millennium, with the 2000 launch commonly cited in general Chanel histories, although specialist watch references sometimes date the initial release to 1999.
That one-year difference explains a potential source of confusion, but 2000 is the standard answer expected for this trivia question. The model later expanded into mechanical, chronograph, diving and jeweled versions, and Chanel marked its 20th anniversary with a major redesign in 2019.