While any bag dating older than 20 years of age is considered "vintage", when it comes to the brand of Chanel, we believe anything 2008 or senior is considered a "Vintage Chanel". This is in particular due to the plating of 24k gold during the manufacturing process of the hardware. 2008, or series 12, was the last year that Chanel plated each bag in 24k gold, making these specific bags far more rare and highly sought after, no longer available in-store. For more on how to determine the series and age of your Chanel bag, click here to read about serial date codes and the year they were manufactured.
Owning a vintage bag feels as though you are owning a piece of history, taking part in legacy. Each stitch, quilt, and turnlock hinting from a different time when Chanel craftsmanship was at its height and every bag was handmade with precision and deep attention to detail. Of these vintage years, you may hear whisperings of Chanel’s “Golden Era” when manufacturing quality was at its absolute peak under the reign of Karl Lagerfeld as Creative Director from 1982-2000.
Many opt to buy vintage Chanel over modern manufacturing not only for the 24k gold-plated hardware, timeless silhouette, the esteemed craft, or even the superior quality, but because of the price-point. You can own a Chanel bag without stepping into a store and spending exponentially more, saving thousands by opting for vintage instead. The demand for vintage is never-ending and will always be present, making the decision to buy vintage over modern manufacturing a wise decision indeed.