IN 2027, the River Thames will witness a new chapter in British sporting ritual as Chanel unveils two trophies created for The Chanel J12 Boat Race. Marking the third year of Chanel’s partnership as the Title Sponsor and Official Timekeeping Partner, the occasion coincides with a landmark: the centenary of the first Women’s Boat Race, held in 1927.
Reimagined by Arnaud Chastaingt, Director of the Chanel Watch Creation Studio, the trophies translate the discipline of rowing into sculptural elegance. Traditional trophy curves are pared back and framed within rectangular forms, with polished white and matte black defining the Women’s trophy, and polished black and matte black defining the Men’s. The palette nods to Chanel’s codes and the J12 watch.
Trophies Created by Chanel for The Chanel J12 Boat Race 2027
At their centre sits a gold-plated metal medallion, edged in black, celebrating the encounter between Chanel and The Boat Race. Equal in size and designed for comfortable handling, the trophies were crafted by silversmith Thomas Lyte, whose Royal Warrant links craftsmanship to centuries of tradition. More than 320 hours of workshop craftsmanship went into their creation.
“I was humbled and honoured to lead the creation of trophies for the winners of this race,” says Chastaingt. “My guiding principle was to illustrate the relationship between Chanel and The Boat Race… without overshadowing the significance of either the trophy or the race.”
The 2027 edition also rewrites the day’s order. For the Women’s Centenary, the men’s race will start at 15:40, followed by the women’s at 16:40.
“The Centenary is the perfect time to deepen our partnership with Chanel,” says Siobhan Cassidy, Chair of The Boat Race Company Limited. “Our three organisations commit to precision and an unwavering standard of form and function.”
As Oxford and Cambridge crews prepare to chase victory along the Championship Course, these trophies promise a meeting of heritage, precision, craftsmanship and ambition.
by Andy Mack