Truth to tell, the story of the Chopard watchmaking company is actually the story of two families, not just one. The first family that owned the company was the family of founder Louis-Ulysse Chopard. He was able to pass on the company’s reins to his son and to his grandson.
However, the grandson Paul-Andre Chopard eventually sold the company to the family of Karl Scheufele III because Paul-Andre had no children who were willing to take over the company. It is the Scheufele family that now owns Chopard. Ironically, there are only a few family-owned watchmaking companies left nowadays in the world.
What Did the Chopard Family Specialize In?
Back when the Chopard family still owned the Chopard company, they focused on making men’s pocket watches and wristwatches for the ladies. After the sale to the Scheufele family, the Chopard company started venturing into the manufacture of men’s sports watches and women’s jewelry.
The Scheufele family has been very successful in making watches through the Chopard company. As of 2010, the Chopard company raked in 550 million euros, with approximately 50% sourced from watch sales. The company was also the proud owner of 100 stores throughout the globe by then. And by 2014, the Chopard company was a major employer staffed by around 2,000 employees (with around 900 of those working in Switzerland).
Precision Timekeeper of Mille Miglia Race
The Chopard company has been able to secure the dual roles of race timekeeper and official sponsor of the popular motorsports event known as Mille Miglia starting in 1988. In recognition of this honor, the company has also produced two kinds of watches to mark its dual roles in that motorsports race. These watches are known as The Mille Miglia Classic collection and the Mille Miglia Gran Turismo XL array.
The major difference between these two lines of watches is that the former touts the attraction of race enthusiasts for vintage cars. The latter takes inspiration from the more modern cars that participate in the Mille Miglia race. But both of these Chopard lines of watches highlight the adrenaline rush of watching and driving during the fast-paced competition.
Can Diamonds Make Women Happy?
For the Chopard watch artisans, the Chopard Happy Diamonds collection (begun in 1976) puts the spotlight on women who love lavish accessories such as luxury watches. The Happy Diamonds theme is expressed through two lines. The first is dubbed “Chopard Happy Sport” while the second line is called Chopard Happy Diamonds Icons.
Their commonality is that each watch has round diamonds that roll around within the watch case between two layers of sapphires. But that’s not the limit of extravagance for this collection. Each watch may also be made from precious metals; namely, stainless steel, titanium, platinum, rose gold, yellow gold, and white gold. Naturally, these materials are very expensive, so that also drives up the price of each luxury watch.
Other Chopard Lines to Choose From
There are some other lines of luxury watches produced by Chopard. These are:
- U.C.
- Classic
- Classic Racing
- Imperiale
- Alpine Eagle
The L.U.C.’s watch series is actually a tribute to the genius of the company’s founder Louis-Ulysse Chopard (hence, the acronym that bears his initials). It was launched in 1997 with a nod to the values set by him – namely, aesthetics, craftsmanship, and precision. If not for the foundation established by Louis-Ulysse, there wouldn’t be any Chopard company for the current owners to build on.
The Classic line tends to popularize classical values. The design theme of these watches can be summed up as “minimalist yet timeless”. But just because these are classics doesn’t mean they are no longer luxury watches – rather, the watches seem to impart the message that “classic means restraint of expression”. It implies that you don’t have to flaunt it for others to know that you are wealthy.
On the other hand, the Classic Racing collection of men’s watches panders to a “restrained” expression of power, accuracy, and taste in the finer things of life. You can imagine a wealthy man spotting a Classic Racing timepiece in a luxury goods store and immediately buying it. One look at a Classic Racing watch, and you will feel that adrenaline rush one gets during a race for the finish line in motorsports.
The rationale for the Imperiale collection is that sometimes wealthy folk get tired of being restrained and simplistic. Have you ever had that urge to break out of the mold and start something big? That is the reason the Imperiale collection is made up of watches that become collector’s items. Each watch aims to stir things up a bit, explaining why wealthy customers make a big deal out of acquiring their own Imperiale timepiece.
Then there is, of course, the last collection dubbed the Alpine Eagle line of ladies’, men’s, and unisex watches. Why is this particular line of luxury watches also unisex in appeal? Because there are just some watches that defy labeling. This may also explain why some women like wearing men’s watches or why some men prefer to buy ladies’ watches. It defies easy categorization.
Conclusion
If you are looking for a watch brand with much to offer, the Chopard company may be your new best friend. The brand Chopard has so many watch models for you to examine that you may find it dizzying to choose. Take note that these are luxury watches to be prepared for the expense.
The good news is that you don’t have to buy the very first Chopard you come across. You can take your time choosing the right timepiece. That’s because each Chopard has its own unique features, and no two Chopard are exactly alike. If you don’t find the right features in the Chopard watch you are currently examining, move on to the next Chopard collection and model. That way, you will always be in tune with the times and won’t get left behind by the Chopard company and its fans.
