Chopard La Strada 12 Carat Pave-Set Diamond 18 Karat White Gold Link Bracelet

It was originally inspired by daydreams and the soft, undulating curves of cloud formations. The intertwining circles of Chopard’s Happy Dreams bracelet evoke buoyancy and motion — attributes that have long been central to the designs produced by the legendary Swiss jeweler.

Although the accessory was introduced in 2016, the Happy Dreams bracelet has roots in a hike that took place 40 years earlier. That’s when Ronald Kurowski, designer for Chopard — which, at that time, was primarily a precision watchmaker — came across a majestic waterfall, its sparkling, playful droplets of water shimmering in the bright sun, during a walk in the Black Forest of Germany. He wondered: Could such a moment of joy be re-created in a timepiece? Would diamonds, freed from their settings, sparkle with similar radiance?

Upon first observing this idea realized in a large watch for men — wherein 30 free-floating diamonds moved gingerly across the dial according to the movement of one’s wrist — Chopard co-owner Karin Scheufele noted, “Diamonds are happiest when they’re free.” Thus the Happy Diamonds watch was launched in 1976, and since then diamonds and gemstones, loosed from their settings, have become a signature for Chopard, which began in 1860 as a provider of high-precision pocket watches and chronometers.

The brand’s entrée into the jewelry market capitalized on the legacy of the celebrated Happy Diamonds watch. Its first jewelry design, 1985’s Happy Clown pendant, was a rose-gold jester with a midsection of floating jewels. This was followed by an elephant, a ladybird, a teddy bear and a heart. Each piece was characterized by its distinctive “loose stones” feature.

The Happy Dreams bracelet was created as part of a collection that marked the 40-year anniversary of the Happy Diamonds jewelry. However, unlike the free-form diamonds set loose in the Happy Diamonds collection, the Happy Dreams bracelet features a single diamond, prong-set and floating above a background of mother-of-pearl. This setting highlights the pristine stone and creates a striking effect that pairs with the graceful form of the cluster of 18-karat white- or rose-gold interwoven circles of different sizes.

In its focus on such joyous designs as the Happy Dreams bracelet over the years, Chopard has secured its role as “the artisan of emotions.”

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.