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From expertise to emotions
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Fleurisanne Engraving Artisan
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Master Gemsetting Artisan
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Grand Complication Watchmaker Tourbillon Artisan
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Dancing-Diamond Choreographer Artisan
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Jewellery model-making Artisan
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High Jewellery Design Drafting Artisan
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Gold foundry Artisan
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Grand complication Watchmaker Minute Repeater Artisan
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Watch-polishing Artisan
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Movement Decoration Artisan
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Jewellery-sculpting Artisan
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Enamelling Artisan
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Chopard
Our History
A Family Story
Chopard has experienced spectacular development. Renowned for its creativity, its state-of-the-art technology and the virtuosity of its artisans, under the impetus of the Scheufele family, Chopard has become one of the leading names in the luxury Swiss watch and jewellery industry.
Milestones
1860
24-year-old Louis-Ulysse Chopard (1836-1915) establishes his high-precision watch factory in Sonvilier, Switzerland, specialising in pocket watches and chronometers.
1885
Chopard forges a reputation for reliable, high quality Swiss watches and becomes watch provider for “Tir Fédéral”, the Swiss Railway Company and Tsar Nicholas II of Russia, amongst others.
1937
Chopard relocates to Geneva, an internationally renowned watchmaking centre. Paul-André Chopard (1898-1968), the grandson of Louis-Ulysse, pursues the family tradition there.
1963
Karl Scheufele III wanted to acquire a Swiss watch manufacture, preferably in Geneva, to further develop his business. He travelled to Geneva where he met with Paul André Chopard. The sale of the company was sealed right away. He and his wife Karin develop Chopard, leading to a spectacular expansion in production and a dramatically enhanced reputation.
1976
Happy Diamonds brings an innovative twist to the theme of diamond-set watches. These unique floating diamond watches, comprising diamonds that can move freely between two sapphire crystals, become one of the most successful products in the history of the Maison.
1978
Seeking to increase Chopard’s vertical integration, Karl Scheufele III invests in its own foundry workshop, enabling in-house production of its gold alloys.
1980
Convinced that a stainless steel watch by Chopard is sure to succeed, 22-year-old Karl-Friedrich Scheufele, son of Karin and Karl Scheufele III, designs the St. Moritz Swiss watch: an elegant, luxury sports watch crafted in steel and equally at home in all circumstances.
1985
A sketch of a clown with a tummy full of diamonds and coloured stones propels Karin and Karl Scheufele III’s daughter, Caroline Scheufele, firmly into the world of design. The Happy Clown become the Maison’s mascot and marks the first jewellery collection at Chopard.
1988
Karl-Friedrich Scheufele, who shares his father’s passion for classic sports cars, partners with the legendary 1000 Miglia race and launches the eponymous luxury sports watch collection which becomes a great success.
1993
Caroline Scheufele designs a sporty diamond watch based on an original association between steel and diamonds: Happy Sport. With its Happy Diamonds floating diamonds twirling across its dial between two sapphire crystals, it rapidly became an emblem of the “sporty-chic” look.
1998
Chopard becomes official partner to the Cannes International Film Festival, each year creating stunning models and events to celebrate its enduring love for cinema: as well as a trophy for young talent and the legendary Palme d’Or.
2016
Karl-Friedrich Scheufele launches one of Chopard’s most complicated watches: the L.U.C Full Strike, a minute repeater crafted in ethical gold and winner of the “Aiguille d’Or” Grand Prix at the 2017 Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève.
2018
As of July 2018, Chopard commits to using 100% ethical gold for the production of all its luxury watches and jewellery.
2019
Karl-Friedrich Scheufele reinterprets the St. Moritz, his first watchmaking success, in a new collection inspired by nature: Alpine Eagle tourbillon watch.
