Haute horlogerie and joaillerie maison Chopard has unveiled its Baselworld collection. The L.U.C XP Esprit de Fleurier Peony, IMPERIALE Joaillerie Rainbow and the L’Heure du Diamant collections are sure to delight any female heart, while the Happy Sport and Happy Sport Oval are sure to enthral yet again
L.U.C XP Esprit de Fleurier Peony
Each year, Chopard creates a peony timepiece: L.U.C XP Esprit by Fleurier Peony. In this new eight-piece, 35 mm-diameter ladies’ limited edition, the dial is a dazzling combination of crafts such as gold engraving, transfer printing and mother-of-pearl cutting. On the purple dial, eight peonies in pink monochrome shades feature generous petals highlighted with skilfully hand-cut white mother-of-pearl appliques. An 18-carat rose gold butterfly is about to land on the heart of a flower. The watch is powered by the L.U.C Calibre 96.23-L, entirely hand-engraved using the delicate art of Fleurisanne engraving. The diamonds set on the bezel and case middle set the crowning touch to this miniature work of art. The L.U.C Calibre 96.23-L is equipped with patented Twin technology – two stacked coaxial barrels deliver a 65-hour power reserve. Housing such a self-winding movement within an ultra-thin 7.50 mm case is made possible by an ingenious construction with a micro-rotor that may be admired through the exhibition back of this timepiece issued in 18-carat rose gold.
Happy Sport 30 mm
Timeless and playful as ever, this talisman watch with its 30 mm round case mirrors the joie de vivre embedded in the genes of dancing diamonds. Chopard offers two new versions of its 30 mm round model with a glowing exterior combining 18-carat rose gold and stainless steel. Beating steadily like a secret luxury beneath the dial in white textured mother-of-pearl – a material Chopard has placed at the heart of its creations – is a self-winding movement developed and crafted by the Maison, Calibre 01.09-C. The iridescent silky sheen of textured mother-of-pearl, its rarity and the singularity of its natural-wave pattern instil unique character into each Happy Sport watch. This light-filled centre is enlivened by the mesmerising presence of the five dancing diamonds framed by an 18-carat polished or diamond-set rose gold bezel, and are fitted with a white alligator leather strap.
Happy Sport Oval
The feather-light, perfectly adjusted proportions of the Happy Sport Oval’s impeccable and distinctive oval shape are now rendered even more feminine by pairing them with the original “galet” bracelet that adorned the very first watch in this iconic collection, back in 1993. With options in stainless steel, 18-carat rose gold or as a two-tone version, the slender elegance of the watch echoes the gentle easy-going charm embedded at the heart of Happy Sport. Beating steadily inside is a self-winding movement developed and crafted by the Maison, the calibre 01.09-C. Available in 18-carat rose gold or stainless steel, or as a two-tone 18-carat rose gold and stainless steel option, this exceptional bracelet is entirely crafted in-house. The Happy Sport Oval watch comes with a bezel in 18-carat rose gold or stainless steel that is either polished or diamond-set.
IMPERIALE Joaillerie Rainbow
Entirely paved with diamonds, the 36-mm 18-carat rose gold case of the IMPERIALE Rainbow Jewellery watch offers a precious backdrop for women’s finest hours. The 18-carat rose gold bezel is set with baguette-cut sapphires in shades of orange to violet through yellow, green, blue and indigo. These precious stones have been meticulously sorted and set so that their colours blend together in a subtle and elegant gradient. While the Roman numerals at 12, 3, 6 and 9 o’clock mirror the rose gold of the watch case, the intermediate hour-markers are set with colourful baguette-cut sapphires echoing the tones of the bezel. The dial is crafted from textured white or Tahitian mother-of-pearl, evoking the soft fluffiness of languorous clouds. In its centre, circled by diamonds, the characteristic arabesques of the IMPERIALE collection, inspired by embroidery, offer a delicate background echoing the openwork sword-shaped hours and minutes hands. Exclusively available in Chopard boutiques, the IMPERIALE Joaillerie Rainbow watch is fitted with a white or grey leather strap matching the dial.
L’Heure du Diamant
L’Heure du Diamant presents eight new jewellery watches featuring hardstone and gemstone dials reigniting ’60s modernism and celebrating 50 years of Chopard’s mastery of jewels and watches. Each watch features a dial specially carved from a mesmerising mineral: midnight blue, gold-flecked lapis lazuli; velvety, forest green malachite swirled with striations; vivacious, sunlit sky-blue turquoise; darkly dramatic black opal, with its lightning flashes of intense green and red fire. The deep, vibrant colours of the dials are encircled in diamonds, of generous size, totalling more than four carats and creating a striking contrast, their fire and life intensified by Chopard’s “crown” setting. These jewellery watches are offered either on alligator straps in rich, co-ordinating colours, or on a white gold bracelet, heavily textured in authentic ’60s ‘tree-bark’ style, yet Chopard’s special, proprietary finish ensures that the gold is smooth, feels like silk on the skin and does not snag or catch on fabric. The watches are powered by the automatic 09.01-C calibre, with 42-hour power reserve; a movement made entirely in-house by Chopard’s skilled artisans.
