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 Christmas Tree Metal Ornaments Set of 3
By Chopard
Located in Bad Säckingen, DE
Set of three Christmas ornaments by Chopard. Traditional handmade in Italy with an inner rotating frame.
Metal
$10,249
H 78.7 in W 27.2 in D 10.7 in
Unique Hand Carved Black Forest Tree Trunk Grandfather or Longcase Clock w. Bear
Located in Lisse, NL
Stunning clock for the collectors of very rare and truly stylish Black Forest antiques. Tree trunk design longcase or grandfather clocks are a rare find and this 6.5 feet tall specimen could hardly be in better condition. All handcrafted and hand carved in the first half of the 1900s this wonderfully naturalistic tree trunk floor clock is the perfect home decoration for anyone with a nature or Black Forest inspired room or interior. This finest workmanship antique comes with the original dial face, weights and pendulum and they all have the same wonderful leaf and flower patterns that complement the tree or forest theme of this work-of-art tall clock. The natural aging of the carved wood has also grown this clock its stunning patina, making it even more of a gem to enjoy and to look at. The large door comes with the original, antique and perfectly beveled glass window which makes this unique clock...
Brass, Iron
Antique Porcelain Mounted Gilt Metal Clock Set
Located in London, GB
This wonderful clock set displays many of the characteristics of the 18th century Rococo style. These include gracefulness, asymmetry, and the use of curved forms. The set, which includes a mantel clock and pair of vases, is crafted from gilt metal and is mounted with decorative porcelain plaques. The mantel clock features a gilt metal rectangular case with a break arch top. This is crowned by an urn, featuring a gilt metal stem and a pinky-red floral porcelain body, which is covered by a gilt metal lid and finial. The case is also topped by a gilt metal wreath...
Ormolu, Bronze
$32,808 / set
H 24.41 in W 21.86 in D 8.08 in
Empire Style Ormolu Clock Set Depicting the Oath of the Horatii
Located in London, GB
This exquisite 19th century trio is comprised of a central clock and a pair of flanking six-light candelabra. The design of the clock case is widely acknowledged to be inspired by one of the most important paintings of French Revolution, ‘The Oath of the Horatii...
Bronze
Modern Metal SARA Ribbon Wall Clock
Located in Chula Vista, CA
Sara Ribbon Metal Wall Clock stainless steel 2 d x 12 diameter Preowned vintage condition See all images for condition.
Metal
Collection of vintage Swedish handwoven straw Christmas ornaments.
Located in Boden, SE
Collection of vintage Swedish handwoven straw Christmas ornaments. The tradition of using straw for Christmas decorations has deep roots in Swedish culture, dating back to ancient ...
Straw
Continental Metal-Mounted Onyx Mantle Clock
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Continental Metal-Mounted Onyx Mantle Clock Early 20th Century. The temple-form body with free-standing columnar supports, a brass dial with Arabic numerals, the movement replaced w...
Onyx
$1,155
H 18.5 in W 13 in D 2 in
Christmas Antique English Iron Clock Dial Face - Rare Holy Family Dial - Working
Located in Belper, Derbyshire
A Rare and lovely antique iron clock dial dating from around 1850. It features a charming painting of the Holy Family, Jesus, Mary and Joseph to the arch. Beautifully painted in the ...
Brass, Iron
Ansonia Gilt Metal Figural Mantel Clock
Located in Astoria, NY
Ansonia Gilt Metal Figural Mantel Clock, 19th century, with seated maiden and sheep finial on pierced scroll and crest form base. 13.5" H x 11.25" W x 4.5" D. Provenance: From a Park...
Metal
Christmas set ceramic ornaments in delfts Blue
Located in Delft, NL
Christmas set ceramic ornaments in delfts Blue Four different ceramic Christmas ornaments in white with a blue Delft print by van Heinen, Delft Blue. An Angel sitting with a gold co...
Ceramic
Set of Italian Guzzini Table Clock & Pens Holder 1970s
By Guzzini
Located in Byron Bay, NSW
Set of Italian Guzzini Table Clock & Pens Holder 1970s
Plexiglass
$2,263Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 6.3 in W 8.67 in D 2.09 in
Set of Art Deco Blue Ceramic Majolique Mantel Table Clock
By Wasmuel Majolica
Located in Lisbon, PT
An Art Deco blue ceramic Majolique mantel clock set by Manufacturer Faïencerie de la Majolique de Wasmuel. This fireplace clock has a matching a pair of vases. The pieces of blue fa...
Metal
$7,996 / set
H 15.75 in W 7.09 in D 4.73 in
Outstanding Quality Large Antique French Porcelain and Gilded Metal Clock Set
Located in Suffolk, GB
Outstanding quality large antique Victorian French porcelain and gilded metal clock set consisting of a pair of candelabra and a mantle clock. The candelabras having ornate gilded br...
Porcelain
iconic 1. edition chopard happy diamonds for men
By Chopard
Located in Munich, DE
this design was the biggest success in the history of chopard. designer ronald kurowski was inspired by water droplets sparkling in the sunshine at a waterfall and decided to design ...
Gold
Maison Chopard Genève, Desk Clock in Metal
By Chopard
Located in Beaune, FR
Lovely gilt metal desk clock. It rests in its original box. Small silver recognition plaque inside. This small clock is in very good condition. It has a few micro scratches on the ba...
Metal