MTF
[PuristS]
13383
Happy Diamonds - Happy Days
RayA,
There has been no response from forumners, probably because your watch pre-dates the current resurgence of Chopard high horology with the LUC range.
You may have to consult an established dealer for more information. The good news is that Chopard kept records from 1963 when the Schuefele family took over.
The nameless diamond design in 1976 by Chopard designer, Ronald Kurowski, was entered in a design competition and unexpectedly did well to be shortlisted. Unfortunately, finalists had to actually make the watch within 3 months for the final judging of 'The Golden Rose' of Baden Baden, awarded by the Society of Friends of Precious Stones - a German jewelers' association.
At that point, designer clashed with watchmakers - the ageless story of watch products! Diamond is the hardest material on Earth and a freely moving design was expected to scratch both dial and watchglass. How could they find space for 30 diamonds to dance freely and a watch movement with winding stem? The solution was elegant and simple; each diamond was ensheathed in a tube of gold without any part of the diamond protruding from its setting. Thus, the diamonds danced in golden tubes. In fact, the 'dancing diamonds' when the watch was tapped is the test of authenticity, since fakers did not usually succeed in the precision work needed.
The dial was polished onyx and the watchglass was sapphire. The movement was a hand wound 6-ligne ETA 2442 with a 13.7mm diameter. This allowed a large 'dancefloor' between the circumference of the movement and the watchcase. The winding stem was fitted at the back of the watch. Chopard won the Golden Rose for 1976.
The award and winning piece were displayed at Basel Trade Fair 1977, primarily as an attention grabber and maybe to attract a collector of piece uniques. Unexpectedly, enquiries and orders flooded in and the hastily named 'Happy Diamonds' gents dress watch was launched. Later, quartz movements allowed smaller , ladies' and different shaped Happy Diamonds watches to be made but the TV-shaped original is the iconic symbol of elegance and happy times of the jet-setting 1970s.
Regards, MTF
This message has been edited by MTF on 2007-02-02 22:18:15
Original Men's Happy Diamond 18K Watch
