STRIKING JEWELS
Chopard, long renowned for its mastery of jewellery watches, has released two new models capturing the preciousness of time
BUILT ON TOP OF A STRONG FAMILY legacy and a rich heritage in watchmaking, Chopard is always ready to take the first courageous steps towards innovation and ingenuity, in both jewellery and watchmaking. Earlier this year at the Baselworld fair, the independent maison showcased its unrivalled mastery in both refined jewellery and artisanal watchmaking by introducing two new models featuring hardstones and gemstones.
A Touch of Modernism
Back in 1969, Chopard recognized that the world of jewellery was crying out for an entirely new expression, new excitement and relevance to a younger and more fashion-forward. In response, the maison launched a collection of strikingly contemporary jewellery watches. The dials of the watches incorporated minerals and hardstones including lapis lazuli, malachite, jade or tiger’s eye that were the defining feature of jewellery in the late 1960s and 1970s. All of these timepieces were also framed in diamonds and set on bracelets of heavily textured white gold—another signature of ornaments in that era.
Now, 50 years later, Chopard introduces L’Heure du Diamant, a collection of eight new timepieces inspired by the aforementioned 1969 models. This new collection brings with it contemporised designs, refined craftsmanship, proportions, colours and harmonised textures, in order to create sublime jewellery watches that still resonate with the unmistakable beat of 1960s modernism.
Up front, the deep, vibrant, and emotionally-stirring colour soft he dials are encircled in diamonds weighing more than four carats, thereby creating a striking contrast between sheen and shine, between the texture, opacity or glinting depths of the dials. On top of that, each watch features a dial specially carved from a mesmerising mineral: From 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.
These jewellery watches are offered with either alligator straps in rich, coordinating colours, or on a white gold bracelet, which is heavily textured in authentic 1960s “tree-bark” style with the added finesse of Chopard’s special proprietary finish. Finally, deep within the case is the beating heart of L’Heure du Diamant: the automatic 09.01-C calibre, a movement made entirely in-house by the brand’s skilled artisans. This final element balances the jeweller’s art with serious watchmaking skills, so that L’Heure du Diamant has both brains and beauty—the perfect expression of today’s powerful femininity.
Empire of Colours
The excitement, however, is far from over, as Chopard has also launched the Imperiale Joaillerie Rainbow as part of the Imperiale watch collection, which embodies splendour and majesty united in the contemporary lines of timepieces inspired by the great empires of history for modern-day empresses.
This year, the two new creations in the Imperiale line-up are adorned with the colours of the rainbow expressed through multicoloured sapphires. Introduced in 18-carat rose gold with a white or grey dial and also a matching strap, these 36mm Imperiale Joaillerie Rainbow watches are designed to impress with light effects and a profusion of colours.
What makes this watch even more special is the fact that it’s entirely paved with diamonds. Furthermore, just like a rainbow adorning the horizon with its colourful spectrum, the 18-carat rose gold bezel of this precious watch is set with baguette-cut sapphires in shades ranging from orange to violet through yellow, green, blue and indigo. These precious stones have been meticulously sorted, selected and set by the jewellery artisans of the maison to ensure that their colours blend together in a subtle and elegant gradient inspired by the shimmering reflections of sunshine after rain.
Another dazzling touch on the Imperiale Joaillerie Rainbow is none other than the dial of the watch, which is crafted from textured white or Tahitian mother-of-pearl. It evokes the soft fluffiness of languorous clouds appearing on the horizon after a storm and from which rainbows emerge, and also matches the sparkle of precious stones in a celebration of light and colour.
The Imperiale Joaillerie Rainbow expresses its sculptural lines through elegant and sensual femininity while the L’Heure du Diamant reignites the spirit of the 1960s. Both of these new models are timepieces that effortlessly and elegantly balances fine jewellery and fine watchmaking, showcasing the dual expertise that is the essence of Chopard.