Chopard

What is the most important item in this photograph taken at the Chopard Geneva Museum?

Chopard watches on the Left made by Paul-Andre Chopard in the 1940s and 1950s.

Eszeha watches on the Right by Karl Scheufele II and Karl Scheufele III in the 1940s and 1950s.

The most important object is the pen that was used by Karl Scheufele III to sign the contract of purchase of Chopard in 1963.

Karl Scheufele III bought Chopard & Cie from Paul-Andre Chopard, combining the experience and history of both Eszeha in Germany and Chopard in Switzerland. 

CHOPARD Office, Birkenfeld, Germany.

The new Chopard Headquarters in Geneva is an exact copy of the old Karl Scheufele GmbH & Co KG office in Birkenfeld because the same plans were used.

CHOPARD Office, Geneva, Switzerland.

L.U.C 1963 Collection

The L.U.C Collection launched in 2014, paid tribute to the 50th anniversary of the Scheufele family taking over Chopard.

The initial collection included limited editions of an automatic chronometer and a manual wind chronograph in rose gold.

The chronometer was also available in platinum limited edition.

PuristS also celebrated with the L.U.C 1963 Chrono PuristS Edition in a steel case.

L.U.C 1963 Chronometer and L.U.C 1963 Chrono Rose Gold

L.U.C 1963 Chrono PuristS Edition Steel

For 2015, Chopard introduced the L.U.C 1963 Tourbillon with grand feu enamel dial.

The tourbillon bridge has been simplified elegantly into a slender single span and the arena caseback exhibits the movement superbly.

I appreciate that Chopard made the movement slimmer than their usual tourbillon movement to accommodate the slightly thicker enamel dial. That is what true haute horlogerie is. The movement is manufactured to fit on a case-by-case basis.

L.U.C 1963 Tourbillon with grand feu enamel dial

Manufacture Chopard in Fleurier

'Precise' is a watch word at Chopard. 

Quality Control of the milling process.

Quality Control of the movement precision

Decoration and Polishing by hand

Geneva Stripes for Geneva Seal

You know that you've established a great reputation in haute horlogerie when bad people start to make fakes ! 

it's so much more exhilarating to actually own a REAL Chopard watch and especially a L.U.C model......

What do you think?

Regards,

MTF

This message has been edited by MTF on 2015-05-04 10:20:32

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The senior Scheufeles are still working at Chopard today like they have done for a lifetime!

They still have offices at headquarters and 'retirement' is a foreign word to them. Not for them the golf or pinochle in the twilight of their lives......

Not for them the lush tropical resort and a cold beer......

Instead, the call of Chopard is still strong......

They truly deserve the tribute of the L.U.C 1963 Collection and the legacy of their stewardship of 50 years.....

Regards,

MTF

I only can wish, yes I know that's hard based on our terrible current economic conditions, that they expand to my country. 

You are quite correct.

Despite the growth of the Brazilian economy (BRIC economy), there are only a few Chopard retailers in Brazil.

Most are in São Paolo but you need to be leaving the country to benefit as one is in the airport:

IOSC Zona Franca Sucursal Uruguay, Aeroporto Internacional de São Paulo.

Frattina Jewellers have two shops in São Paolo

Sara Jóias Jewellers have 3 shops in Rio De Janeiro

Regards,

MTF

Those A.D. can't compare, in terms of offerings, with the Boutiques from other brands, like JLC, Panerai, IWC, Omega, Rolex, Vacheron, Cartier, Bulgari, Piaget etc.

I never saw one L.U.C. around. Only entry level models, ETA based.

Without a strong presence (Boutiques and maintenance), Chopard will stay on my (and others) dreams. 

Thanks,

Nilo

Note: Sara also has stores in São Paulo.
This message has been edited by nilomis on 2015-05-04 19:29:26

Fantastic post, MTF.  I would add this: walking through Chopard's facilities is a journey through beauty and precision, executed in ways old and new.

hmmm.....if I post the photos and the date of production, will that enhance or hinder sales? 

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Nico,

The medal was struck in 2004 to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the founding of Karl Scheufele GmbH & Co in 1904 by Karl Scheufele I. That company produced EsZeHa (S-C-H) branded watches using the first three letters of the family name in German alphabet.

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