In 1860, a 24-year-old son of a farmer, Louis-Ulysse Chopard (1836–1915), established the L.U.C. company — now known simply as Chopard, rather than by the founder’s initials — in Sonvilier, Switzerland. His initial work evolved from making mechanical movements to building the watches themselves, concentrating on making the pocket watch slimmer to carry for everyday use while also ensuring it was precise and reliable.
Early successes for Chopard included providing watches for the punctuality needs of the Swiss Railway Company. Recognizing the international market for Swiss watchmaking, Chopard traveled across Europe and Russia, with Czar Nicholas II becoming a client in 1912.
Chopard’s son, Paul-Louis, took over after Louis-Ulysse’s death in 1915 and expanded the business to La Chaux-de-Fonds. In 1937, the company relocated to the watchmaking center of Geneva, where they could mark their work with the prestigious Geneva Seal. (Paul-Louis’s son, Paul-André, took the reins in 1943.) Business thinned in the postwar years, and Paul-André’s sons declined the opportunity to take over for their father.
In 1963, Chopard was acquired by German goldsmith and watchmaker Karl Scheufele III and his wife, Karin. Under their ownership, Chopard added jewelry to its offerings. The popular Happy Diamonds wristwatch debuted in 1976 — it launched a collection, which now features bracelets, rings and other items. The distinctive watch sees dozens of glittering diamonds, loosed from their settings, moving freely around the dial.
The story goes that the in-house designer Ronald Kurowski was inspired by the kinetic glimmers of sunlight on a waterfall in the Black Forest. He would then develop the innovative system for the Happy Diamonds timepiece that he hoped would essentially mimic his experience in the woods.
A young Caroline Scheufele — Karl and Karin’s daughter, who would later become copresident and artistic director — led the introduction of a Happy Diamonds jewelry line in 1985, with her design for a playful clown pendant with a belly full of jittering precious stones. Subsequent lines and accessories such as the Happy Dreams bracelet, Happy Hearts collection and the Happy Sport watches further enhanced Chopard’s range of dynamic adornment.
The Scheufele family-run company continues to be synonymous with excellence in timepieces, such as its role as the official timekeeper for the Grand Prix de Monaco Historique, creating all of its movements in-house. And Chopard is constantly developing its wares, from sunglasses and fragrances to recent introductions of high-end handbags.
Find a wide range of vintage Chopard wristwatches, necklaces, rings and other jewelry on 1stDibs.
Chopard The Passion for Excellence Hard Cover Book c 2010
By Chopard
Located in University City, MO
Chopard The Passion for Excellence large scale hardcover book with dust jacket c 2010 The 296 page book is a lavish archive of Chopard's exquisite precious jewelry designs. It prim...
Bulgari Catalog, Jewelry and Watches Collection 2011
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Bvlgari catalog, jewelry and watches. Bulgari "Serpenti" Collection of 2011. Hardcover catalog of one of the most famous Luxury Jewellery maker in the ...
Louis Vuitton 1997 Le Catalogue Vintage Reference Fashion Guide
By Louis Vuitton
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Louis Vuitton Le Catalogue Reference Book 1997. From the Louis Vuitton store in Rodeo Drive Beverly Hills in California. Master suitcase mak...
Set of Two Bulgari Brand Book Catalogue Jewelry and Watches 2013
By Bulgari
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Set of two Bulgari catalogues, jewelry and watches. Collection of 2013. Hardcover black cloth catalogues of one of the most famous Luxury Jewellery maker in the world. Sotirio Bulgar...
Vogue's Book of Houses, Gardens, People With Photography by Horst, 1968
Located in Atlanta, GA
Beautiful people, lush gardens and stylish interiors ... Vogue's Book of Houses, Gardens, People, published by Viking Press in 1968, offers an insider's view of fascinating people an...
Vintage 1950's Soviet Era Russian Pocket Traveling Chess Set USSR AVTOVO
Located in Алматинский Почтамт, KZ
Vintage Travel Chess Set "Journey to Leningrad" — USSR, 1970s-1980s. Manufacturer: Lentochmekh Condition: Used, in good condition, but one chess piece is missing (the defect is clea...
1977 British VOGUE Magazine by Barry Lategan at Golden Bay
By Vogue
Located in London, GB
1977 VOGUE November, Number 8, Volume 134, 220 pages, in colour and black/white, Doubled cover On Cover: "Flattery, photograph by Barry Lategan taken at Golden Bay, Malta, via Air M...
The Great Lady Decorators Coffee Table Book, 2009
By Rizzoli
Located in Atlanta, GA
2009 Rizzoli publication compiled by Adam Lewis, The Great Lady Decorators: The Women Who Defined Interior Design 1870-1955, is a who's who of the most influential designers of the l...
Louis Vuitton Le Catalogue Reference Book No 7 2011
By Louis Vuitton
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Louis Vuitton Le Catalogue Reference Book No 7. From the Louis Vuitton store in Rodeo Drive Beverly Hills in California. Catalog LV 2011 GIF...
Maharaja's Jewels Table Book by Katherine Prior, Assouline
By Assouline Publishing
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Maharaja's Jewels Table Book by Katherine Prior, Assouline. The stories of Indian princes and their jewelry and precious stones are brought together in this illustrated narrative tracing the rise and fall of India's leading royal houses through the dramatic fortunes of their crown jewels. Traditionally, precious metals and jewels have been, for Indians rich and poor, a repository of wealth and a status symbol. For the reigning families, jewels also had symbolic and religious significance. Also here are the original drawings by great European jewelers of the pieces they designed for their exotic and demanding clients. The text is both lively and scholarly, drawing from descriptions of such travelers as Marco Polo and Tavernier as well as Sanskrit dramatists extolling the riches of India. The core of this lavishly photographed book is the encounter between Indian princely magnificence and the best of European Jewellery designers in the 20th century when many of the Maharaja's travelled to Europe with trunks filled with traditional Indian jewels and unset stones...
C.Z. Guest: American Style Icon, Rizzoli Coffee Table Book 2013
By Rizzoli
Located in Atlanta, GA
Oh what a charmed and fashionable life she led! C.Z. Guest still remains the epitome of American style ... fresh, sporty, simple and yet elegant. This beautiful 2013 coffee table b...
$69
H 12 in W 12 in D 1 in
Louis Comfort Tiffany Masterworks Hardcover Book by Bedoyere D. E. La Camilla
By Louis Comfort Tiffany
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Louis Comfort Tiffany Masterworks Hardcover Book by Bedoyere D. E. La Camilla. Louis Comfort Tiffany was highly skilled in jewellery design, as well as ceramics, enamels, and metalwo...
$475
H 12 in W 9.5 in D 3 in
The Duke and Duchess of Windsor Auction Sothebys Books Catalogs in Slipcase Box
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Sotheby's "The Duke and Duchess of Windsor Auction" Book Catalogs. This is a three volume boxed set of sale catalogues which were produced by Soth...