Chopard

Manufacturer of high precision watches established in 1860 by Louis-Ulysse Chopard in Soviller, Switzerland. In the beginning it produced pocket watches and chronometers. Then, when the factory moved to Geneva, in 1920, the production turned to luxury models. In 1963 the firm was acquired by Karl Scheufele who, in Germany, already owned the Eszeha factory, which specialized in watches and jewellery. From that moment on the two companies shared production of the Chopard brand. The first presentation of the Happy Diamonds watch was in 1976. It became one of the signature designs of the company, with a dial on which diamonds moved freely between two pieces of sapphire glass. This model was followed by, among others, the Happy Sport and the Ice Cube. In the 1980s the first Chopard boutiques were opened, in Hong Kong, Geneva, and Vienna. In 1993, on the initiative of Karl-Friedrich Scheufele, the son of Karl, a new watch manufacturing plant was opened. It began the production of watch movements named L.U.C., from the initials of Louis-Ulysse Chopard, among which were the L.U.C. Four, the L.U.C. Tonneau 3.97, and the L.U.C. Tourbillon, which was presented at the Basel Fair in 2003. Caroline Gruosi-Scheufele, Karl-Friedrich’s sister, is artistic director of the jewellery factory and accessories. She is the creator of several Collections, including the Casmir — a classic of the house –, the La Vie en Rose, and Golden Diamonds. That one, presented in 2003, revolutionized the field of high fashion jewellery because in it gold was made in the shape of precious stones and took their place. Today, Chopard, of which Karl and his wife Karin are presidents, and their children Karl-Friedrich and Caroline are vice-presidents, has 66 single-brand boutiques all over the world. A complete production cycle in the Swiss and German (Pforzheim) factories employs very highly specialized workers who practice 45 different professions, from gold fusion to watch-engineering. Sold exclusively by Chopard are the brand’s various accessories (glasses, scarves, decorative objects) and perfumes. Since 1988, Chopard has been the official sponsor of the Mille Miglia (A Thousand Miles), the Italian period car race for which it creates a new watch every year. It also sponsors the International Film Festival of Cannes.
Chopard signs a license agreement with De Rigo, a leader in the field of eyewear.