Chopard revamps classics for the year 2015
The Grande Maison, Chopard, has unveiled some of its new Haute Joaillerie and Haute Horlogerie range for the year 2015. Diamonds and innovation precision techniques have paved the way for an array of stunning new pieces that are sure to capture one’s attention in a breath-taking moment of desire
The recently unveiled Imperiale Collection from Chopard was exhibited at a private gathering in the Sunset Garden of the Burj Al-Arab in Dubai. The exquisite jewellery focussed on the Royal shade of purple and featured intricate motifs that were reminiscent of the Roman era. To add to the beautiful Imperiale range, Chopard turns the spotlight on its other three flagship collections – Happy Diamonds, Haute Joaillerie and Classic Racing that are set to be released in various phases throughout the year 2015. Below we take a closer look at some of the new releases that are heading our way.
Happy Diamonds Joaillerie
The concept behind this collection is familiar. Chopard’s history is bursting with delightful floating Happy Diamonds pieces, where the diamonds are free from any setting. Deemed as the signature of Chopard, the little free-spirited stones glimmer and shimmer with movement and were inspired by the vision of sunlight sparkling on the droplets of a waterfall during a walk in the Black Forest, which is located in the mountain range of the state of Baden-Württemberg in south-west Germany.
To celebrate the coming of spring, diamonds and flowers have been meticulously combined for Chopard’s new Happy Diamonds collection. Featuring rings, earrings and pendants, the latest range captures a flower in full bloom with sparkling diamonds that glisten as if moist with fresh dew from the early morning sun. Evoking images of enchanted gardens and freshly-cut grass, this line boasts slender curves that gracefully add elegance to the silky petals of the flower that sits perfectly against the skin. Crafted in 18ct white or rose gold, each individual diamond bouquetis set with 19 dazzling stones that are housed unevenly in the petals and a single free-floating diamond which rests at the centre of the flower.
Happy Sport 30mm Automatic
In 1993, Caroline Scheufele, Chopard Co-President and Artistic Director, designed a sporty watch that captured the elegance of a chic soiree along with the active environment of playing a sport. The result was the Happy Sport, a watch which features five free-floating diamonds that move around the dial without restraint, where the gems are encapsulated between two sapphire crystals that soon became a symbol of Chopard’s feminine horology line. In 2013, Chopard celebrated its 20th anniversary of this watch, with the development of a mechanical model – the Happy Sport Medium Automatic – featuring redesigned lines and details.
The new 2015 striking edition is a marriage of steel and diamonds which adds a modern twist to the original Happy Sport icon of the nineties. This version of the Happy Sport timepiece takes the original model to a new level by featuring a smaller, elegant dial with a self-winding movement that was initially introduced in 2013 with the 36mm model. The movement features 20 jewels and beats at a cadence of 28,800 vibrations per hour. The new 30mm diameter case exudes femininity and sophistication, combining precious gems with a complex movement that is designed to maintain accurate time whilst creating an aesthetically pleasing exterior that is versatile with any outfit.
The Happy Sport 30mm Automatic is available in a polished steel or diamond-set case that measures 10.95mm in thickness and is water resistant to a depth of 30 metres. The refined case houses five floating diamonds that move on a silver-toned dial featuring a spiral guilloché centre pattern that boasts silver-toned hour, minutes and seconds hands with silver-toned hour markers and key Roman numerals. The crown is also made of steel and is set with a stunning blue sapphire, while a steel bracelet or alligator leather strap completes the watch with a graceful appeal.
L.U.C Regulator
From the late 19th century onwards, high-precision regulator clocks were used for the significant purpose of providing reference time in all watchmaking workshops to ensure the correct time accompanied every wristwatch that left the building. Precision timers were responsible for adjusting clocks and watches, and made sure that the hour, minutes and seconds hands were separate and placed on different parts of the dial to allow optimal readability. Ever since, this display layout has been known as the ‘regulator type’.
The 2015 L.U.C Regulator timepiece is an evolution of the classic model from the 2006 Chopard L.U.C Haute Horlogerie collection. It features a mechanical hand-wound movement that has successfully undergone rigorous testing, conducted by the Swiss Official Chronometer Testing Institute, thereby guaranteeing its chronometric precision. Because of this certificate, the watch is authorised to bear the inscription “Chronometer” on its dial. To further guarantee precision timing, the case and movement have passed tests to achieve the Poinçon de Genève quality hallmark, which certifies the high level of finishing on mechanical parts and aesthetic craftsmanship of the watch.
The L.U.C Regulator watch is powered by a L.U.C 98.02-L calibre that boasts an astounding power reserve of 216 hours, which equates to around 9 days of power. The movement measures just 4.90mm in thickness and beats at a frequency of 28,800 vibrations per hour, whilst housed in an 18ct rose gold case. Measuring 43mm in diameter and 9.78mm in thickness, the distinguished case is water resistant to a depth of 50 metres and features a polished bezel that leads the way to a prominent 18ct rose gold crown engraved with the L.U.C logo.
The six indications on the Haute Horlogerie creationare separated to ensure easier readabilityand formal elegance; four counters appear in exquisite symmetry on the dial, as well as a date aperture between 4 and 5 o’clock, while the central Gilt dauphine-type hand points to an outer ring on the dial that illustrates the passing minutes. Unlike most available regulatorswhich place the hours counter at noon, those of the L.U.C Regulator appear at 3 o’clock. The theory behind this design enables the counter to peek out beyond a shirt cuff, therefore making it legible in all circumstances. The counter at noon displays the power reserve, while the small seconds beat steadily at 6 o’clock.The fourth of these strategically placed counters is a dual-time display that appears at 9 o’clock on the sunburst satin-brushed silver-toned dial. The watch is completed with a hand-sewn brown alligator leather strap, finished with an alligator leather lining.
