We’re going to take a look at the iconic tourbillon, the screw-in bracelet and the blue dial of the Chopard watch. Of course, we won’t ignore the brand’s price tag either. Millennials value experience over purchase, and luxury brands need to find new ways to reach them. Chopard is one such luxury brand that’s already found ways to engage with this generation.
Chopard’s tourbillon
Chopard is a Swiss watchmaker that celebrated its 25th anniversary last year. Their tourbillon collection includes women’s watches, men’s timepieces, and luxury sports watches. Inspired by the Swiss Alps and the eagle that soars above them, their Alpine Eagle Flying Tourbillon is a spectacular timepiece. The dial features a unique spiral texture, giving this watch a distinct look that has earned it the nickname “iris of the eagle.”
The Chopard tourbillon celebrates luxury and excess in a new way, and the watchmaker has taken the time to honor the brand’s founder, Louis-Ulysse Chopard. The watchmaker has always been dedicated to excellence and has achieved it through vertical integration, making its watches more innovative than ever. Chopard produces everything it sells, and boasts more than 50 capabilities.
The Tourbillon was introduced in the 1960s as a way to honor the founding family’s entrepreneurial passion and renown. In the 1970s, Chopard was owned by the Scheufele family, and Karl Scheufele III was their son. The trio’s business acumen and travel passion were passed down through generations of the Scheufele family. In 1957, Karl Scheufele III married Karin Ruf, whose father was an entrepreneur and an important supporter of the company. The couple purchased manufacture in Pforzheim, a move that allowed them to join the exclusive ranks of major Swiss watchmakers.
The Chopard Alpine Eagle Flying tourbillon features a blue dial with a spiral pattern reminiscent of the iris of an eagle. The blue color is created by applying blue galvanic treatment to the gold base. The dial has Roman numeral hour indicators, while the flying tourbillon window dispenses with the upper bridge. The tourbillon’s flying window is visible through a sapphire window.
Its blue dial
The brand’s signature Happy Diamonds are a dazzling style icon, and Chopard is proud to feature them between its sapphire and diamond dials. A modern reinterpretation of the legendary Swiss ski resort, the collection includes the elegant Alpine Eagle, Chopard’s take on the classic steel sports watch. The ‘Alpine Eagle’ comes with an integrated steel bracelet, making it a great choice for everyday wear. It’s an expression of Chopard’s trend toward casual luxury.
In 2013, Chopard began a project called “Journey to Sustainable Luxury” with a group of partners, including Livia Firth’s Green Carpet Challenge and the Alliance of Responsible Mining. The initiative’s goals include supporting small-scale goldmines in South America and reducing the company’s carbon footprint. Chopard’s latest initiative, “The Luxury of Good” is a bold move that celebrates luxury and social responsibility.
The L.U.C has a blue dial with a golden rat against a midnight blue background. The model’s case is 40mm in diameter and contains an extra-thin L.U.C movement that has been finished by hand in the brand’s workshops. The watch’s dial is also textured in a unique spiral design that has inspired the brand to call it the ‘iris of the eagle’.
The Grand Prix de Monaco Historique, a re-edition of a historical Chopard collection, pays tribute to the national motor racing colors. Established in 1910, the racing colors were assigned to the racers according to their nationality. Red represented Italy, green represented the British, grey-white was the German nationals and blue was assigned to the French. Among the iconic features of this watch are the tachymeter scale and slim cursive font.
Its bracelet made of screws
The design of Chopard’s bracelet made of screws echoes the Swiss watchmaker’s vertically integrated manufacturing process. All components of this piece are produced in-house. It is relatively thin and possesses a distinctive look thanks to its patented screw construction. The bracelet’s screws run the full length of the bracelet and are connected by plates. The screws, which are visible on both sides of the bracelet, are large enough to accommodate the bracelet’s flexing while still maintaining its rigidity.
To remove a screw from a bracelet, place the screwdriver tip into the corresponding hole. While turning, keep the wristband in the other hand. Turn the screw counter-clockwise until it does not extend out any further. It is now time to clean the bracelet. Chopard’s bracelet is known for its exceptional quality, and this is evident in the design of this watch. This timepiece is a must-have for any man’s jewelry collection.
The strap of the Alpine Eagle bracelet is a perfect example of how engineering can enhance a piece of jewelry. The Swiss watchmaker has used tight tolerances and a hidden deployant clasp to create a watch of this caliber. Adding a micro-adjust feature to the clasp would give this watch a functional edge over its competition. In addition, it would be possible to adjust the buckle and bracelet to fit the wrist.
A new Chopard watch is released every few years. It has an elegant look that echoes the design of the 1980s. The Alpine Eagle features eight screws that secure the bezel. It also features a blue dial and a balancing crown guard on the right side. Chopard’s watchmaking expertise ensures that this timepiece is not only stylish and elegant, but also functional without breaking the bank.
Its price
The Alpine Eagle is an updated version of the venerable St Moritz watch, designed by the Swiss brand’s co-president Karl-Friedrich Scheufele 40 years ago. A few years ago, the family of the founder rediscovered the watch and convinced Chopard to produce a new version. Now, the watch is called the Alpine Eagle and the St Moritz name has been dropped.
In addition to ethical sourcing, Chopard also supports the Responsible Jewellery Council (RJC), a group comprised of brands such as Cartier and Kering Group. Their goals include net zero greenhouse gas emissions and the aid of vulnerable communities. Chopard uses more types of certified gemstones, including Paraiba tourmalines, which are the most expensive. And the company engages directly with the miners to ensure that their precious stones are ethically sourced and not contaminated with mercury or other toxic elements.
While the brand has advanced its watchmaking techniques over the past century, it still doesn’t have its own in-house movement. In fact, most of its movements are not even manufactured by the brand. Most Chopard watches use ETA calibers and various modules, and Quartz movements are more affordable. But Chopard’s price does celebrate luxury and excess. But the price is worth it.
For its latest limited edition, Chopard is celebrating the year of the rat in rose gold with the L.U.C. XP Urushi Year of the Rat. This rose gold timepiece pays homage to the ancient Japanese art of Urushi, the process of applying lacquer to objects. Chopard collaborated with the Japanese designer Yamada Heinado to create the watch’s dial. It features a painted plant in green, blue, and gold.
Its tumultuous history
A company as storied as Chopard’s can’t escape its tumultuous history. Founded in 1904 by Karl Scheufele, the company was a family affair. The founder’s son, Karl-Friedrich, became its chairman and inherited his father’s company. The brand drew inspiration from vintage automobiles and the Mille Miglia series.
Louis-Ulysse Chopard was born in 1836 in Sonvilier, Switzerland. He founded the L.U.C. manufacturing company in 1861. At first, he focused on producing movements for other brands, but soon found that selling finished watches was much more profitable. In time, Chopard was selling watches throughout Europe. In addition, the company became a supplier to Tsar Nicholas II of Russia.
The company’s tumultuous past led it to invest in various charities. In addition to the Elton John Foundation, Chopard has continuously cooperated with the charity. The late singer founded the Elton John AIDS Foundation in 1993, and still serves as its chairman. The two companies co-sponsor events and launch special-edition watches in honour of the AIDS foundation.
Caroline Scheufele, the daughter of the famous Karl Scheufele III, joined the company. Her first design was the ‘Happy Hearts’ collection. A series of sparkling diamonds suspended between sapphire crystals made the watch look as if it’s floating on the dial. In 1976, this piece of jewellery was patented as an exclusive ladies’ item. The company went on to win many awards for the design, including the Golden Rose of Baden-Baden.
As a family-owned company, Chopard is one of the last traditional family businesses. Its main headquarters is in Geneva. A separate site, Fleurier, is in the canton of Neuchatel, where it manufactures its high-end watch movements. This site has a reputation for producing watches and other jewelry, including its L.U.C. collection. A history of the family’s founder’s fortune can be traced through the saga of the company.