Chopard - Chopard partners PX Précinox SA refining the way on the Journey to Sustainable Luxury

Chopard partners PX Précinox SA refining the way on the Journey to Sustainable Luxury

Oct 15, 2015,09:12 AM

Geneva, 13th October 2015: Chopard continues to lead the watch and jewellery industry announcing a new partnership with PX Précinox SA, the Swiss gold refinery company, to establish the first commercial export route for Fairmined Gold from Bolivia.

Pouring Fairmined gold into smelting mould

After two years of Chopard support, two more gold mines reached Fairmined certification: '15 de Agosto' in Bolivia and 'Coodmilla' in Colombia.

Chopard has pledged to buy 100% of the Fairmined gold extracted by those mines.

Bajo Octobaya, Bolivia: 300 inhabitants

The '15 de Agosto Cooperative', based 4000m high in the Andes mountain range, is one of the largest independent cooperatives in Bolivia with 198 members, of which 78 are women.

We have previously reported about this mine in 'Chopard Technique & Aesthetic: Fairmined Gold'
CLICK the following URL link to read:
www.watchprosite.com

L.U.C XPS Fairmined ref. 161920-5006

From the small quantities of Fairmined gold produced previously, Chopard had crafted few pieces of exquisite watches and jewellery including the gorgeous L.U.C XPS Fairmined watch that we fell in love with at Baselworld 2015. CLICK the following URL link to read:
www.watchprosite.com

Coodmilla Cooperative, Colombia

Gold amalgam in pan

The greatest obstacle was education, social welfare and environmental support to achieve Fairmined certification of the miners and industrialisation of the process to get from bloodied rock to refined objects like these:

L.U.C Tourbillon QF Fairmined

Green Carpet Collection Palme d'Or watch

Chopard’s High Jewellery creations are made in accordance with The Green Carpet Challenge (GCC) ethical benchmarking and are named the Green Carpet Collection.

The L.U.C Tourbillon QF Fairmined is the world’s first watch created from Fairmined gold which was followed by the L.U.C XP Fairmined watch, and the Palme Verte collection of diffusion jewellery in Fairmined gold.

Chopard continues to work on other key raw materials in its supply chain, as well as increasing operational efficiency and maintaining its status as a RJC certified member fully adhering to the RJC Code of Practices.

Palme d'Or Trophy 2015

One of the most coveted Awards in the Film Industry is the Palme d'Or for the Cannes Film Festival that Chopard now sculpts from Fairmined gold.
'Fairmined Gold Palme d'Or' CLICK the following URL link to read:
www.watchprosite.com

This new development between Chopard and PX Précinox will see the gold exported and refined using the PX Précinox fully segregated ‘track and trace’ processing system.

The Fairmined gold’s final destination will be Chopard’s workshops in Geneva, making it fully traceable from mine to product.

Karl-Friedrich Scheufele

Karl-Friedrich Scheufele, Co-President of Chopard, said: ‘We chose to partner with PX Précinox because of its deep roots in Switzerland, considerable experience in the refining of precious metals and strong track record in responsible business. Moreover, this family-owned company is sensitive to the ethical demands of the market and encourages respectful environmental practices and traceability of metals”.

Gold ingot casted

Cleaning gold ingot

Rolling gold ingot

Gold strips

Both Chopard and PX Précinox are certified members of the Responsible Jewellery Council (RJC).
Whilst Chopard launched the world’s first Fairmined gold watch, PX Précinox has created one of the very first gold segregation systems in Switzerland; a ‘track and trace’ process, separating Fairmined gold from standard material throughout the refining process.

Karl-Friedrich Scheufele continued: “I am pleased with this new development in our Journey to Sustainable Luxury. This is the start of a strong partnership showing our commitment to responsible supply chain management working along like-minded partners also engaged in improving our industry in all its aspects”.

15 October 2015

Comments: view entire thread

Sustainability and Human Welfare Award

By: blomman Mr Blue : October 15th, 2015-10:40

The Chopard L.U.C Tourbillon Fairmined won the 0024 European Watch of the Year 2015: Sustainability and Human Welfare Award! Best Blomman

I did not know that; and now I love that watch more

By: MTF : October 15th, 2015-15:29

Blomman, Thanks for the news. I do not subscribe to that magazine so I did not know. Truth be told, I really like the second Fairmined watch even more because of that glorious textured dial. Regards, MTF

The prize ceremony were held here in Stockholm!

By: blomman Mr Blue : October 16th, 2015-00:14

I haven't had a chance to see the XPS in real, but from photos it looks very promising! Best Blomman

Ahhh Stockholm; I remember it...barely

By: MTF : October 16th, 2015-02:24

I used to work for Pharmacia so a visit to Stockholm was not surprising. What was surprising was the city is more water than land. You don't need a car but a boat would be more useful! I lived in Japan at the time so just had to try Swedish sushi. Word of...

Sounds like you remember very well!

By: blomman Mr Blue : October 17th, 2015-00:38

Your description is spot on! Best Blomman