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Intent on producing
pocket watches and chronometers of stature, Louis-Ulysse
Chopard founded his company in 1860, and the brand has continually
turned out masterpieces. Just about a century into its legacy,
Chopard was purchased by jewelry entrepreneur Karl Scheufele
in 1963.
It was his vision
to unite his jewelry company with watchmaking under one
brand and to propel both areas to greater levels of accomplishment
in design and technology.
In 1975, Scheufele
built a production facility in Meyrin-Geneva, marking a
new era for the brand. In 1976, Chopard unveiled the now-famed
Happy Diamonds collection to the world, and in the 1980s
the brand launched the Gstaad collection of timepieces.
In 1988, Chopard teamed with the Mille Miglia as an official
partner and began creating the annual special-edition Mille
Miglia watch—an icon of vintage automobile racing.
In the early
1990s, Karl and Karin Scheufele’s children became integral
players in the family business. Caroline took over the jewelry
design and Karl-Friedrich headed up the watch division.
In 1996, the brand established itself as a complete Manufacture
with the opening of a movement factory in Fleurier. The
L.U.C movement made its debut that year and was the impetus
for other movements to come.
In 1999, Chopard
unveiled the L.U.C Sport 2000 collection, and a year later
presented the L.U.C Quattro watch—equipped with a new
caliber with four barrels and nine days of power reserve—in
2000. Chopard presented the L.U.C Tonneau in 2001. Chopard
is also a major supporter of charitable causes and is a
devoted patron of the arts. In 2001, Chopard began supporting
the Elton John AIDS Foundation, creating limited-edition
Elton John timepieces whose sales would benefit the foundation.
Chopard is also intimately involved with such high-profile
events as the Cannes International Film Festival.
Chopard’s
collections of ladies’ jewelry and watches are amazing
and inviting. From Happy Diamonds to Happy Sport with free-flowing
diamonds, from the 1950s-inspired chic La Strada to the
innovative Pushkin and Ice Cube collections, rich colors,
seductive shapes and innovation are prominent driving forces.
With creativity at an all-time high, Chopard has grown at
a faster rate than the market as a whole while preserving
its independence—a rarity amongst watch and jewelry
companies today. Caroline’s
exquisite designs continually impress and excite the senses.
All of Chopard’s
magnificent jewelry is created with the utmost attention
to details. Each stone is hand picked and every design is
completed by painstaking hand-craftsmanship. From gem selection
to setting and polishing, master jewelers work long hours
to ensure smooth, sensual finished pieces.
For the past
decade, Chopard jewels have glistened on the necks and wrists
of celebrities from all corners of the earth.
Partnering with
the Cannes International Film Festival, Chopard is jeweler
to the stars for 12 days each year at this exciting gala
of heady days and wild nights. In addition to adorning the
stars as they parade down the red carpet, Chopard produces
all of the Palme d’Or trophies in its own workshops.
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