jim vancouver
409
Chopard founding family.
Chopard founding family.
The origins of the company is well known. Louis-Ulysse established his business in Sonvilier (near La Chaux de Fonds and Le Locle). Competing against “88 other watchmaking workshops”.
He focused on ultra-thin precision pocket-watches intended for daily wear. Being young, he traveled across Eastern Europe, Russia and Scandinavia to sell his watches. Tsar Nicholas II is said to be a customer.
The book gives numbers for the surge in population during the 19th Century as the Swiss pocket watch industry dominated world watch production. (At a time that industrialization and the railroads created a vast demand for the standardization of time.)
By 1900, the Jura Mountain was home to 242 manufacturers employing 10,000 people. Produced “half of all Switzerland's watch components”.
Pocket watches from this era carried the 'Chopard A Sonvillier' or 'L.U. Chopard' trade names.
After the death of Louis-Ulysse, his son Paul-Louis led Chopard. Opened a workshop in La Chaux-de-Fonds, which became the corporate headquarters. During the art-deco period, Chopard flourished as colorful decorative pieces became popular. Guaranteed “the finest quality”.
Paul-André Chopard, Louis-Ulysse's grandson, was the final standard bearer. None of his sons were inclined to take over the firm and Paul-Andre looked for a successor. By 1963 (according to the book), the company had been reduced to just five employees.
The book has an amusing anecdote (Page 71). Karl Scheufele III was looking to purchase a Swiss movement manufacture. Publishing his requirements in newspaper advertisement, he compiled a list of candidates. Chopard was the last name on the list because no one answered their phone.
With every other candidate eliminated, Karl III made a final call to Chopard. Paul Andre answered and an appointment was made. Success! A Swiss-German culture is born. To quote, Karl-Friedrich,
“In essence, if Chopard does something, we do it to the best of our abilities.”
On Page 103, the new company's fundamental values are explained.
Paul-Andre passed on in 1968. In the book, there are photographs (Page 69) of watches (anti-magnetic) from 1950 with the 'L.U.C.' trade name.
https://www.hautehorlogerie.org/en/brands/brand/h/chopard/
https://www.hautehorlogerie.org/typo3temp/_processed_/csm_chopard-histoire-1922_19ae3e6ca8.jpg
Chopard: The Passion for Excellence 1860-2010 review
Hardcover - March, 2000. By Salome Broussky (author) and Helmut Stelzenberger (photographer) Whilst waiting for my Quattro to arrive, I researched the company. Reading the book was itself a pleasure. Being unable to copy and paste into the OP, I have cont...
The Review
Whilst waiting for my Quattro to arrive, I researched the company. Reading this book was itself a pleasure. =cm_cr_ryp_prd_ttl_sol_1 Chopard represents an amazing story of innovation, inspiration, growth, and rejuvenation. The company reflects the story o...
Chopard founding family.
Chopard founding family. The origins of the company is well known. Louis-Ulysse established his business in Sonvilier (near La Chaux de Fonds and Le Locle). Competing against “88 other watchmaking workshops”. He focused on ultra-thin precision pocket-watc...
Scheufele Family
Scheufele Family To the credit of the Scheufele owners, they chose to relocate to Switzerland. Retain the Chopard trade name, build the brand from the ground up (using the Chopard family connections). On Page 16, there's a family portrait (from 2010) wher...
Which Quattro?
Jim, Thanks for the book review and links. Which L.U.C Quattro model did you choose? How did you know of the watch? Please post photos when it arrives. I'm assuming it's a pre-owned watch as it is being delivered. Unless you live too far from a retail sho...
Bought new
Hi MTF, I bought it new from the local AD who has no stock. Estimated delivery time is FOUR WEEKS. Yes, I'm kinda excited because I didn't even get a chance for a test drive. I will certainly post a review once I get my hands on it. It's the new brown dia...
L.U.C Quattro Chocolate Dial
Aha...you got the rose gold case with chocolate dial. Very rare....I've only seen one. L.U.C Quattro Chronometer Chocolate Dial ...
Good find
The factory is in Sonvilier. See this page... Many thanks to MTF for his series A Brief History of Chopard. Many of the photos in the book are beautifully displayed.
