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A Watch Company that Actually Make Its Own Gold - a Visit to Chopard Geneve

How Many Watch Companies Make Their Own Gold?

- A Brief Visit to the Chopard Manufacture in Geneve

By Z3

During SIHH 2010, I took a short afternoon side trip to Chopard Geneve. Whereas the Chopard facility in Fleurier produces only the high-end LUC line, Chopard Geneve is the much bigger brother that produces everything from the standard Chopard watches (e.g. Mille Miglia) to jewelry pieces. The production scales are much larger than the mostly hand-made processes at Fleurier.

The most memorable portion of the afternoon is a visit to the "gold room". Because of Chopard's role as a jeweler - hence the large demand for 18K gold of various shades, it actually buys solid .999 pure gold bars, and then makes its own blend by adding the appropriate portions of silver and copper.

Now, how many watch companies do you know can show you this?

From left to right: silver, copper, gold bars, and the resulting rose gold bar.

Technician in charge of the gold mixing

A newly minted 18K rose gold bar, ready to be used for making those stunning rose gold watches.

Making cases using the stamping method, from a solid block of steel.

Different steps of the finishing process - from rough to finished.

Large batches of steel bars for cases and bracelets

Once the cases are stamped, CNC machines are used for finer machining and cutting.

Additional finishing by hand

"Before" vs. "After"

Buckle assembly - where the worker hand-test each buckle, to ensure that the clasp opens and closes smoothly.

The short visit is concluded with a visual treat of some stunning LUC pieces - Patrick, you know how to push my buttons=)

Thank you very much to our ever gracious hosts Mr. Patrick Wehrli, and Mr. Karl F. Scheufele - the President of Chopard. This short, yet impressive visit once again brings reminder of Chopard as a truly, complete, in-house manufacture. Kudos to Chopard - you always have a special spot in my heart.

Hope you have enjoyed the post.

Yours Truly,

Jon (Z3)