More than a century after its launch, Chanel No. 5 still rules the world of fragrance. How can an unaltered classic continue to compete and dominate today's dynamic market?

The debut of Chanel No. 5 in 1921 has always been subject to stories and lore about Coco Chanel, her choices, and her success. For example, some say that Coco released the perfume on May 5 because she is a Leo, the fifth zodiac sign, and the number five is her lucky number. Others say the perfume was named as such because it was the fifth bottle she sampled among perfumer Ernest Beaux's concoctions.

In 1986, Jacques Polge, the then-nose of Chanel, reimagined the concoction into an eau de parfum to have a stronger concentration. The iconic Chanel product has been unaltered since then.

Scent of a Woman

Perhaps it was Coco's challenge to Beaux that kept the classic luxury perfume at the top of the game. At the time, Coco tasked Beaux with designing a perfume with the scent of a woman and not the scent of flowers. Beaux's concoction that won Coco's approval was made with over 80 notes and accords.

Bestselling and Unique

The lasting "clean" odor profile from the blend of aldehydes, sandalwood, ylang-ylang, and bergamot, among others, made the perfume recognizable. 

While some would argue that buying a perfume that sells a bottle every 30 seconds means that you will have the same scent as everyone else, it is worth noting that the classic mix by Beaux reacts differently from person to person.

This dynamic property is another reason why Chanel No. 5 continues to reign. The chemical reaction between the perfume and the unique body composition of each user results in a unique scent.

Trying an Iconic Product

Being eau de parfum, Chanel No. 5 is projected to last for six to eight hours with the recommended two to four sprays only, either on the wrists or neck. Ingredients are collected from all over the world. For example, the ylang-ylang used is grown in Madagascar, and the jasmine is from France. 

It comes in four sizes, from 1.2 fluid ounces to 6.8 fluid ounces. The bottles have arguably affordable prices ranging from $105 to $250 -- unless you are looking at the Parfum Grand Extrait, which ranges from $3,500 to $14,500.

Chanel No. 5 is an iconic product, but with its dynamic range of notes, experts suggest getting samples before buying a whole bottle. That said, this irreplaceable classic deserves a century of high praise.