The Chopard
Company was first established in 1860 by Louis-Ulysse Chopard
who had grown up in the watch making area of Switzerland known
as Jura. The company grew in success and reputation for many
years being passed down from father to son until in 1963 grandson
Paul Andre Chopard who, because there was no children who wished
to continue the family tradition, sold the company to Karl
Scheufele. Scheufele was the grandson of Karl Scheufele, a
German immigrant to the United States who had established his
own family firm, Eszaha, a jewelry company.
It was a perfect
match for both companies meeting the need for a solvent buyer
for Chopard and the Scheufele need to obtain its own manufacturing
facility instead of procuring its movements from Swiss watch
movement manufacturers.
Since that
time the company has developed and now produces its own movements
and has been granted the official designation of “Manufacture”.
That however has not been the only significant steps the company
has taken. In 1977 the L.U.C. was voted Watch of the Year in
Switzerland, 1975 saw the building of a new production facility
in Meyrin-Geneva, in 1976 the Chopard Watch Company Corporation
was established in New York and in 1998 Chopard became the official
partner of Mille Miglia a 1600 Km vintage car rally which runs
from Brescia to Rome and back.
Many celebrities
are associated with the Chopard line including Elton John, Prince
Charles, Jose Carreras, Antonio Banderas and many others. Their
watches and jewelry are seen at virtually every event which the
rich and famous congregate including the Cannes Film Festival
with whom they have partnered for several years.
Their watch
collection is vast with many different styles both opulent and
utilitarian and offers a great selection and impeccable design.
Some of their more famous models are the Mille Miglia, the L.U.C,
the Carrera and the Happy Sport.
Managed today
by Caroline and Karl-Friedrich Scheufele, the children of Karl
and Karin Schuefele, the company maintains its prestigious legacy
even as it moves forward into the 21st century.
Chopard Replica
Watches - A Brief History
The history of the Chopard
Company begins in the remote area of Jura where the people spent their winter
months fashioning tiny gears for the Swiss watch manufacturers. It was here
in May 1836 that Louis-Ulysse Chopard was born. Not a great deal is known
about his family background except that he was one of two sons born to Felicien
Chopard in the small village of Somvilier.
The first known records
tell us that Chopard established his first company in 1860 at the age of
twenty four using the initials L.U.C. as his company name. No early records
of pieces produced are available that most of his early pieces were pocket
watches and their appearance was for the most part similar. It is not until
the turn of the century that records began to be kept and the progress of
the watch manufacturer industry recorded.
In the early 1920’s
Chopard relocated his workshop to Geneva and began the production of luxury
watches. For the next forty years the company continued to produce high quality
timepieces and jewelry and was passed from father to son in the Chopard family.
In 1963 the remaining
grandson, Paul Andre found himself aging with no heir who wished to assumed
the command of the company. Faced with this situation he spent many sleepless
nights trying to find a suitable solution rather than let the Chopard name
pass into oblivion. A solution arrived in the form of a German watchmakers
descendants who were carrying on the line established by their forefather
Karl Scheufele who had immigrated to the USA and built a successful business.
At this time both Paul Andre and the grandson of Karl Scheufele (Karl Scheufele
III) were facing major decisions in their companies. Chopard needed a solvent
buyer to purchase the family firm and Scheufele was looking for a manufacturing
business that would allow him to eliminate his dependence on Swiss watch
movement producers. The match was a perfect fit for both companies and so
it was that the house of Chopard passed into the hands of the Scheufele family
where it remains to this day.
The Scheufele family has
continued the tradition first established by Louis Chopard and has gone on
to perpetuate the legendary line winning the coveted Watch of the Year award
with its L.U.C. in Switzerland in 1997.
Luxury is about
simplicity
The Greek philosopher
Democritus recognised that “the great joys are engendered by contemplation
of beautiful works”. I find this statement highly pertinent when I
think about our products and see my philosophy of life confirmed. Quality
is the sum of all values, a powerful motivating force and the desirable goal
that is the object of all endeavours. Without devotion and endurance, there
is no perfection. Without the capacity for vision, there is no future. Quality
must be born of toil. Steadfastness and perseverance, ambition and creativity
are its pillars. Demanding the best until aspirations and reality are in
harmony: this principle does not just apply to the manufacture of sophisticated
precision watches, it is the secret of true success. Luxury today is not
about complexity, it relates to simplicity.
I wish you a good read
and a pleasant “journey”, through the different facets of our
creation and through the many events where Chopard was present.
Karl-Friedrich Scheufele
Vice President
Destined to beautify, surprise and appeal, watches that draw their shapes from
natural creations and from daily objects are jewels whose precious decoration
(almost) makes one forget the passing of time and the time displayed on the
dial. Not only does a Chopard watch have the capacity to adorn and embellish,
but also the special role of conveying a message, expressing a belief or taste,
symbolising an idea or a trait of character relating to the person wearing
it. Religious faith, a passion for music, the passing of time and a love of
nature are often expressed through their case.
Heart-watches belong to
this creative current and in each era they are matched with a material or
decorative form that exalts their shape in harmony with the prevailing artistic
style. Judging by the examples that have been preserved through time, cases
carved from rock crystal revealing the mechanism housed between the plates
forming a heart were particularly in vogue during the first quarter of the
17th century. Chopard Watches cases adorned with enamel paintings and enriched
with gemstones or pearls, accentuating the precious nature of the shape,
found an enthusiastic public throughout the centuries. Polished metal or
entirely enamelled cases underscoring the elegance of the lines were also
greatly appreciated. The most carefully crafted among them have a movement
that is not round but instead follows the outline of the case.
