quattro's meticulous post offers a deep dive into the Chopard timepieces created in collaboration with operatic tenor José Carreras. This article not only showcases the distinct aesthetic and horological details of these limited-edition watches but also highlights their profound connection to Carreras's personal battle with leukemia and his subsequent philanthropic efforts. Readers will gain a comprehensive understanding of these significant Chopard references and their charitable legacy.
José Carreras is a famous Catalan operatic tenor born on December 5th 1946 in Barcelona.
credit: Schubertiade Music & Arts
In 1987, at the height of his fame, doctors diagnosed him with acute leukemia. The following year, on 14 July 1988 he created the José Carreras International Leukaemia Foundation, a charity supporting leukemia research.
From July 1996, Chopard offered José Carreras the opportunity to create limited-edition watches, the profits of which would go to his Leukemia Foundation.
José Carreras recovered from the disease after undergoing a gruelling treatment involving chemotherapy, radiation therapy and an autologous bone marrow transplant
Karl-Friedrich Scheufele (left), José Carreras (center) & Karl Scheufele (right)
credit: shutterstock (1-2), luxury news.es (3) & purepeople (4)
Now, let's see the watches themselves.
A/ WIENER STAATSOPER ref. 16/1236 (1996 - 250 pieces)
39 mm case, automatic cal. 891/2
Dial decorated with eighth notes
Yellow gold
credit: archive by watches.de
White gold
credit: sotheby's
B/ DEUTSCHE STAATSOPER BERLIN (
1997)
1/ Ref. 16/1248
36 mm case & automatic caliber 9640
Small seconds at 9 o'clock, date at 6 o'clock and
power reserve indicator at 3 o'clock (with
eighth note,
quarter note,
half note &
dotted half note)
White gold 
credit: calibrorlogerie
Yellow gold
credit: uppsalaauktion
2/ Lady's ref. 13/4165 26 mm case & Quartz movement
credit: easyliveauction & Dixon Watch Co.
C/ L.U.C GRAN TEATRE DEL LICEU BARCELONA 2000, ref. 16/8413
1/ Stainless steel & black dial
40 x 9,5 mm case & L.U.C caliber 3.96
Black Dial with
guilloche textured center & a
piano themed perimeter. Printed
white musical notes shaped Roman numeral hour markers.
White dial with
guilloche textured center & an
unidentified musical score themed perimeter (most likely a favorite aria of José Carreras). Printed
black musical notes shaped Roman numeral hour markers.
Eighth note-shaped
lugs.
credit: Joli Closet
D/ L.U.C Twin José Carreras ref. 16/1909-1001
39 mm white gold case & caliber L.U.C 11.96
credit: @grace75 on carrousel & the swiss collector
E/ L.U.C XP José Carreras 50th Anniversary Edition, ref. 16/1902 (
2008 - this timepiece was
reviewed here by
Kong)
40 mm white gold case
Dial decorated with
eighth notes
Piece designed to commemorate the 50th anniversary of José Carreras' debut on the stage of the Gran Teatre del Liceu in Barcelona as an 11 years old child in 1958.
Below, a photo of him aged 8:
F/ Lady's Happy Diamonds José Carreras Limited edition of 50 pieces
Dial: Mother of Pearl with musical notes
Bezel: White Gold
Movement: Quartz
credit: @aslareina on carrousel
BONUS: PRESS ARTICLES & PHOTOS
credit: juwelenmarkt.de (1-2), University of Mary Washington (3) & newtmcknz on Etsy
