This personal connection between the brand and one of the most well-known historical car races in the world dates back to 1988. It was then that Chopard became a partner of the event, a role it has maintained ever since and to which it has since become that of official timekeeper.

Over 410 cars participated in the Mille Miglia this year, taking off from the famous departure ramp at Viale Venezia in Brescia for the 1000 miles leading them via Ferrara to Rome and back to Brescia. Karl-Friedrich Scheufele and Christine Scheufele roared away in a Ferrari 750 Monza followed by Karl Scheufele and Albert Carreras in a Mercedes-Benz 300 SL.

This prestigious historical car competition also continues to inspire what has become a watchmaking classic: the Mille Miglia chronograph. This year was no exception to the tradition as we unveiled the new Mille Miglia 2013.

As the official partner of the Cannes Film Festival since 1998, Chopard confirmed its commitment to the silver screen in 2001 by creating an award, Trophée Chopard, crafted by the artisans of our Geneva workshops, destined to encourage the up-and-coming generation in the film industry. With each edition of the Festival, a committee composed of industry professionals selects both a male and female up-and-coming artist regarded as a genuine discovery destined for success.

For this 13^th edition, the jury consisted of Caroline Scheufele, executive editor of Variety Steve Gaydos, actress Olivia Munn, producer Harvey Weinstein, director Taylor Hackford, as well as director and screenwriter John Wells. Presented by Alessandra Sublet, the ceremony also looked back on the careers of the awardees with a short retrospective documentary.

The prize-giving ceremony was followed by a gala evening held in the Chopard Lounge celebrating the 2013 laureates, and featuring an exclusive performance by Solange Knowles and artist Alexandre Billard. The Trophée Chopard has become one of the Festival’s most acclaimed events. Fan Bing Bing, Cara Delevingne, Sonam Kapoor, Livia Firth, Paz Vega, Nadine Labaki, all wearing Chopard, as well as Harvey Weinstein and Miguel Angel Silvestre attended this glamorous evening.

On 17^th May 2013, at the Martinez Hotel in Cannes, we proudly launched ‘The Journey’. The first two stunning new pieces of High Jewellery presented during this event will be worn on the red carpet during the Cannes Film Festival. They are set in Fair Mined gold sourced from the South American community mine we are supporting and with diamonds from approved sources .

One of the greatest opportunities for social and environmental change today is the development and delivery of sustainable supply chains. Chopard has recognised this and will be announcing a new multi-year programme. This programme will start with a partnership with the Alliance for Responsible Mining (ARM), the Colombian-based development NGO. The programme aims to transform for the better, the lives of small and artisanal gold miners in South America and protect the natural resources and wildlife they depend on.

Follow our journey on Chopard.com

Raced from 1927 to 1961 as a speed trial on open roads, the Mille Miglia has now become a rally. There is no longer any question of racing to and fro across Northern Italy in less than 20 hours. Instead, the event lasts three days. Nonetheless, it is not just a joy ride. The racing is competitive, the route is sinuous and the cars are every bit as powerful and capricious as one expects from such proud historical models. Only cars having taken part in the original race formula are entitled to compete. The teams can rely only on their driving skills, the indications provided in their road-book, as well as their time measuring instrument. The Mille Miglia 2013 is designed to play a key role in the race, just in the same way as a car engine or a suspension system.

The Mille Miglia 2013 is a self-winding chronograph featuring a 24-hour dual-time indication and a date display. The 42.8 mm-diameter case is topped by a generous 44 mm bezel, an ingenious association that preserves the imposing presence of the watch while making it a more comfortable fit on even the slimmest wrists. This quest for optimal ergonomics had also led to revamping the lugs that are now short and tapering so as to secure the watch more firmly to the wrist. The mushroom-shaped chronograph pushers enable smooth handling thanks to the nonslip knurled grid pattern on their surface ensuring a firm grip. Finally, the rubber strap with the 1960’s Dunlop racing-tyre motif is integrated with the case for a more flowing look and feel.

The dial of the Mille Miglia 2013 focuses on readability. The red sweep seconds hand is tipped with white to make it stand out. The light grey chronograph counters make a striking contrast with the rest of the anthracite grey dial. They provide a second level of functional read-off, detached from the rest of the dial and its information. The tachometric scale appears on the bezel, while the dual-time reading is positioned on the dial between the hour-markers. Another distinctive feature is the date that is now shown in the red arrow that has become the race logo, inherited from the signposts that enabled competitors to find their way from Brescia to Rome and back. This shape is also echoed on the hour-markers, which, along with the hands are enhanced with Superluminova to ensure the watch can be read at night inside a classic Maserati or Porsche.

The colour symbolising Italy’s passion for automobiles is the chromatic theme of the Mille Miglia 2013. This vibrant red shade frames the inner bezel ring, surrounds the counters and adorns the chronograph hands. The inimitable colour of racing, of adrenalin and of Italian gentlemen drivers, it sums up the warmth and depth of the close ties binding Chopard to the world of motor sports.

The Chopard Classic Racing collection stems from the passion nurtured by Co-President Karl-Friedrich Scheufele for historical cars and motor sports in general. A penchant for performance and speed, a passion for mechanics and tradition, a love of details and fine workmanship are all key character traits that have guided him towards the creation of this fascinating collection.

Discover the Chopard Classic Racing collection on http://www.chopard.com/classic-racing

Caroline Scheufele offered a new interpretation of the famous trophy presented to the laureate during the closing ceremony: a delicately curved 18-carat gold stem with a small heart at its base, reminiscent of the symbol of the firm. The stem is adorned with leaves appearing to have been caught in mid-motion and it rests on a crystal cushion shaped like an emerald-cut diamond. This precious detail makes each Palme d’Or unique, for Mother Nature never creates two identical crystals…

In 2000, the symbolic object was joined by two additional Palmes, identical replicas of the Palme d’Or only smaller. They are presented every year to the Best Actress and Best Actor starring in a competing movie.

All these trophies are hand crafted every year in our workshops of Chopard by our craftsmen. Synonymous with talent and recognition, the emblem of the most famous Cinema Festival is henceforth inextricably linked to the story of Chopard.

Follow us at the 66^th Cannes Film Festival on chopardredcarpet.tumblr.com

On day one, drivers took note of scenic coastal views and the wine country as they crossed into the northern end of the Central Valley. The second day took drivers down Highway 36, one of Martin Swig’s, the late founder of the California Mille, favorite roads. Drivers travelled through the Coastal mountain range, the redwoods, and into Mendocino County. On day three drivers experienced California’s Highway 1, with the Pacific on one side and redwoods on their left. California Mille drivers bisected the Sonoma and Napa Valley wine country on days three and four, taking in its natural beauty.

Passionate about vintage cars, Karl-Friedrich Scheufele, Co-President of Chopard, has been playing an active part in the Classic Racing universe, giving rise to a collection of watches which represent elegance and high performance needed in both the watch and classic car race industries.

The first celebration of Mother’s Day dates back to Ancient Greece. Instated as a means of honouring Rhea, mother of the gods and notably of Zeus in Greek mythology, the ceremonies were held in March. They coincided with the Roman festival of motherhood or matronalia, which was popular throughout Asia Minor. Nonetheless, it was undoubtedly North Americans with their Mother’s Day, launched much later in the early 20th century, who infused the festivities with a new and particularly charming spirit.

This date has become a sensitive and thoughtful way of thanking the woman who gave us the gift of life by marking the occasion with gems reflecting just how precious she is. Very Chopard, our timeless heart-shaped models set with diamonds, are a true expression of unconditional love.

Discover our Ladies Collections on http://www.chopard.com

Curating the culture of style, elegance and most dazzling High Jewellery pieces, we will release on our brand new Tumblr the most exclusive behind-the-scenes, sneak peeks on the red carpet looks worn by the stars… and above all share our passion for cinema.

As a first step, we invite you to come and discover the beauty of the Cannes Film Festival from May 15^th to May 26^th, 2013. We hope this exclusive Tumblr will leave you wanting for more with the very best magic, live from the Festival.

May the festivities begin! Stay tuned and follow us on chopardredcarpet.tumblr.com

The IMPERIALE Joaillerie Améthyste timepiece appears in majestic grandeur with its admirable gem-setting composed of graded shades of baguette-cut amethysts, baguette-cut diamonds and brilliant-cut diamonds. The 40 mm-diameter and 18-carat white gold case provides a spectacularly contrasting frame to its mother-of-pearl dial adorned with amethyst hour-markers.

Entirely developed and crafted in the workshops of Fleurier Ebauches – our facility dedicated to industrial movement production – the Chopard Calibre 01.03-C which drives the IMPERIALE Joaillerie Améthyste beats at a frequency of 28,800 vibrations per hour (4 Hertz) and is equipped with a barrel ensuring an excellent 60-hour power reserve. These technical characteristics ensure the reliability, performance and precision of this mechanical self-winding movement.

Enthroned at the centre and surrounded by diamonds, the characteristic arabesque motifs of the IMPERIALE collection form a delicate background. The presence of the colour formerly known as “imperial purple”, the lugs inspired by the columns of classical architecture, the crown shaped like a lotus flower and the dagger-shaped hours and minute hands form a regal set of details echoing the heritage of the grand historical empires in this watchmaking collection.

Discover timepieces and jewellery from the IMPERIALE collection on www.chopard.com/imperiale.

The all-black face of this new timepiece features shimmering light effects. Each surface of its dial and indicators has been carefully chosen to create optimal readability while maintaining its elegantly understated monochrome look. The diamond-set bezel adds a glamorous touch, while creating a dramatic and striking contrast.

The IMPERIALE Chrono All Black maintains the collection’s characteristic signature details, subtly alluding to the finest hours of the imperial age. The Roman numerals punctuate the dial delicately adorned with arabesque motifs and reminiscent of the embroidered cushions that monarchs used to adorn with their insignia. The curved profile of the hands evokes the tapered daggers sovereigns used in combat.

The lotus flower-inspired crown set with an onyx is fitted on a case middle with pared-down sides making the model both lighter and more luminous. The shape of the lugs reflects the tradition of ancient columns that have remained famous for their perfectly balanced proportions.

Like the 40 mm-diameter case, the bracelet of the IMPERIALE Chrono All Black is machined from the finest steel in our workshops, and then treated to a DLC (Diamond-Like Carbon) coating that gives it a distinctive shiny black finish. An alternate version of the IMPERIALE Chrono All Black is also available with a black rubber strap.

Discover timepieces and jewellery from the IMPERIALE collection on www.chopard.com/imperiale.

The nobility of its horological complications and the superlative refinement of its decorations, together with its discreet sophistication, sum up the highest standards integral to the legacy of founder Louis-Ulysse Chopard. Its tourbillon rubs shoulders with an extremely readable perpetual calendar in a watch characterised by its elaborate aesthetic appeal. Chronometer-certified for precision and bearing the Poinçon de Genève for the quality of its craftsmanship, the Perpetual T is more than a mere demonstration of watchmaking mastery. It is a distinguished and functional watch designed for daily living.

Making a perpetual calendar involves both technical and ergonomic issues. Displaying the complete date while taking account of the variable lengths of months, including in leap years, is a constant challenge ably met by L.U.C Calibre 02.15-L. Moreover, the multiple indications on the dial of such models can be detrimental to their readability and a strategic layout is crucial to legibility. The Perpetual T brings the date to the foreground in the shape of a large twin-aperture date display. At 9 o’clock, the day of the week takes precedence over a day/night indication; while the months share the 3 o’clock space with the leap-year cycle. Moreover, the quest for ergonomics and thus user-friendliness, goes beyond readability. With the four barrels of the Quattro system, the Perpetual T has a nine-day power reserve, meaning there is no need to worry about repeatedly adjusting the time or date. So as not to overload the dial, the power-reserve indicator appears on the reverse side of the watch and can be read through a transparent sapphire crystal case-back.

The tourbillon of the Perpetual T sits enthroned at 6 o’clock, topped by a steel bridge meticulously polished to a mirror finish. By its constant rotation around its axis, it enables the rate of the watch to elude the effects of gravity. Each Perpetual T successfully passes the trials conducted by the Swiss Official Chronometer Testing Institute. The COSC tests the rating precision and issues its timekeeping certificate only for watches that meet its established tolerances. Chopard, which regularly submits its watches at the International Chronometry Competition in Le Locle, thereby offers concrete proof that the tourbillon of its L.U.C Perpetual T does indeed accomplish its mission and the ‘Chronometer’ inscription on the dial is a discreet reminder of its high-precision timing capabilities.

The 43 mm-diameter rose gold case of the Perpetual T frames a solid gold dial adorned with a hand-cut guilloché motif radiating out from the large date and crossing through the applied Roman numerals marking off the hours. The slate grey counters of the perpetual calendar are also guilloché-worked in order to distinguish between the functions and accentuate the contrasts. When it comes to watches, inner beauty is an equally important virtue. The entire L.U.C Calibre 02.15-L has thus been hand-decorated in accordance with the finest watchmaking traditions. The plates are circular-grained, the screws are polished, the bridges are bevelled and adorned with a vertical Côtes de Genève motif and the jewels are set into gold chatons. These parts are all patiently polished and smoothed down by hand. The quality of these treatments combined with the specific technical and design choices involved in its development enable the L.U.C Perpetual T to earn the Poinçon de Genève quality hallmark, the most prestigious Swiss watch industry certification.

The L.U.C approach consists in a quest for excellence encompassing all aspects of the watch. An elegant complication model featuring the precision and the kinematic appeal of the tourbillon, the Perpetual T is made to be admired and worn. Its COSC and Poinçon de Genève certification testify to the high standards governing Chopard’s production of its prestigious watches. While naturally rare due to the sheer complexity of crafting it, the Perpetual T is nonetheless not a limited edition. It is taking its place firmly and securely at the peak of the L.U.C ranges.

Because Caroline Scheufele, our Co-President and Artistic Director, has made optimism one of her fundamental principles in life, she has dreamt up a collection standing as a favourable omen. Wearing a four-leaf clover is believed to be a token of good luck, and when it is imbued with the ardent tenderness of the individual that gave it to you, it becomes a true talisman.

The For You collection features heart-shaped precious stones – Caroline’s favourite cut – assembled in groups of four. This composition is adorned with a delicate round diamond in the centre. These charming creations come in a rose gold version adorned with diamonds and rubies, and a white gold version set with diamonds or amethysts. Delicately crafted in the Chopard High Jewellery workshops, the collection is composed of pendants, rings and earrings, featuring one or two flowers depending on the model.

Through successive eras, love has been declared in various ways. In Ancient Times, offering a ring with no beginning or end was a mark of timeless devotion. From the Middle Ages onwards, the diamond engagement ring became a tradition. And in the early 19th century, a romantic and above all prosperous century, under the influence of Queen Victoria of England, the ring with three diamonds made its appearance. Ever since, it has embodied the power of love that transcends time.

Above and beyond words, this new interpretation of the Happy Diamonds collection is a promise of enduring love. It tells a story. Its three hearts, adorned with diamonds lend themselves to all kinds of life scenarios. The heart, a symbol cherished by Chopard, appears here in a trilogy of 18-carat yellow, white and rose gold. It also comes in a version with a diamond-set white heart. In keeping with the iconic Happy Diamonds concept, each heart houses a moving diamond that spins in correspondence with the wearer’s movements.

Caroline Scheufele created in 1993, one of the Chopard icons, the Happy Sport watch. Repeatedly interpreted over the years in occasionally humorous and consistently elegant ways, it has lived under various highly evocative identities: Happy Beach, Happy Sport La Vie en Rose, Happy Sport Mystery Pink…

Elegant, sophisticated and entirely loyal to the spirit of the original Happy Sport, the new Happy Sport Medium Automatic reveals a guilloché silver-toned dial, a tribute to the decorative traditions of classical watchmaking and a perfect backdrop against which to highlight the seven moving diamonds. On the back, a sapphire crystal provides a chance to admire its mechanical self-winding movement adorned with a straight Côtes de Genève motif also known as Geneva stripes. Its 36 mm-diameter steel case is water-resistant to 30 metres and fitted with a black alligator leather strap.

Travel in time and discover the Happy Sport fairy tale with our magical movie.

To celebrate the Happy Sport 20th anniversary, we have launched an exclusive service giving you the possibility to design your own Happy Sport watch. Discover this joyful digital experience on happysport.chopard.com.

Endowed with a fundamentally singular, sporting and technical nature, the L.U.C Engine One H combines the very best of two mechanical expressions. The finishes on its Chopard Manufacture tourbillon movement evoke those commonly appearing on engines, while its horizontal layout reflects the design of racing-car cockpits. This exceptional timepiece offers fresh proof of Chopard’s passionate attachment to the competitive racing world and its values based on a blend of performance and pleasure.

The parallels between automobiles and watchmaking feature a depth and variety that we have been consistently exploring for many years. The structure of the L.U.C Engine One H can truly be interpreted like that of a car. It is equipped with an engine (mechanical rather than of the internal combustion type), fitted with a single lengthways-positioned cylinder (the tourbillon). It is topped by a grooved cylinder head (its bridges) in nickel silver and steel instead of die-cast aluminium.

Its engine speed is stable at around 480 revs per minute (meaning 28,800 vibrations per hour or 4 Hz). To optimise its performance, it spins on its own axis (the tourbillon). It is equipped with a transmission system (the going train). Its fuel tank (the barrel) guarantees 60 hours of running autonomy (power reserve).

The cap of this fuel tank (the crown) has been enlarged to ensure an easier grip when refuelling in the pits (winding and setting to time). Its performance and precision have been verified on an independent test bench (the Swiss Official Chronometer Testing Institute, or COSC). The engine (L.U.C Calibre 04.02-L) is mounted on shock-absorbers (chassis mounting rubbers) that help protect it from impacts. The titanium from which its bodywork (the case) is made makes it light, scratch-resistant and eminently biocompatible.

The L.U.C. Engine One H in titanium, a 100-piece limited edition, provides a superbly legible display of its various items of information. While the hours and minutes are shown by central hands, the power reserve is read off on the left, much like a fuel gauge. The small seconds are fitted on the tourbillon and appear on the right, like a speedometer.

Designed and built by Chopard Manufacture in Fleurier, the L.U.C 04.02-L calibre of this timepiece reflects our in-house approach to watch manufacturing. A family business with a strongly ingrained philosophy of independence, Chopard fully masters the comprehensive range of watch production operations involved in the making of each watch in the L.U.C collection, from movement development to assembly, adjustments and quality controls.

The area was inspired by new architectural and aesthetic codes developed by designer and artist, Thierry W. Despont for the Chopard Group’s boutiques and sales areas all over the world.

Every detail of the new pavilion was developed in close collaboration with the Scheufele family, owners of the House of Chopard, whose wish was to host their guests in a place that is both exclusive and warmly welcoming.

It took more than a year for the design and prefabrication of this area with its façade that measures 20 metres wide and 10 metres high.
No less than 60 artisans and five weeks of work where required to assemble all the elements of Chopard’s new pavilion, which stretches over 1,800 square metres on three levels.

Thierry W. Despont personally oversaw the creation of the floor of the rotunda of the pavilion’s main hall, a parquet with a motif specially designed for the venue, as well as the choice of furniture. For example, the furnishings of the VIP salon were produced by Jacques Garcia, the quintessential international reference for refinement and elegance.

The use of highly contrasting materials for this new pavilion creates a contemporary, intimate harmony. White Corian, a composite material that is exceptionally hard but also very eco-friendly and recyclable, covers the exterior of the pavilion while the interior is clad in lime-washed oak, bringing a luminous touch that catches the light, along with leather for the arm chairs and velvet on the sofas and certain walls.

On three sides of the exterior of the pavilion, high, spacious, light windows accommodate the company’s innovations, while the traditional collections are presented in more intimate display windows.

FACTS AND FIGURES
More than a year for design and prefabrication
60 artisans
5 weeks of work to assemble
Main façade measuring 20 m by 10 m
1,800 sq.m. total floor space
3 levels
2,800 sq.m. of oak cladding
3,000 sq.m. of various fabrics
27 km of all kinds of cables
500 m of tubes and ducts
30,000 cu.m. of air exchanged hourly via the ventilation system
50 trucks for transport

From April until the end of the year, you will be able to create your own iconic timepiece through a combination of cases, dials, bracelets and moving elements, which you can then order in any Boutique of the Chopard network. Our Chopard Boutique staff will be equipped with tablets and will be pleased to guide you through this experience.

My Happy Sport lets you play and conjure up a truly personalised watch to cherish. Begin by selecting your case for a 36 mm watch, then choose a setting, decide whether you would rather opt for a leather, rubber or fabric strap in a variety of exquisite colours and finally select your favorite moving elements among a delightful selection of diamonds and coloured stones coming in many precious shapes. Once your choice has been made, you will receive a summary of your Happy Sport watch by email with your own personal code. This code will allow you to modify your choices at anytime within the application, or to go to your nearest Chopard Boutique where you can order your very own creation, specially crafted at the Manufacture Chopard in Geneva.

Depending on your personality, let yourself be charmed by a touch of sophistication with a glossy fuchsia pink leather strap, opt for the discrete timelessness of a stainless steel casing or fall for scintillating heart mobiles, white-gold moving diamonds, poetic snowflakes, a lucky clover, stars, butterflies, pink sapphire or even tsavorite charms spinning between two sapphire crystals…

Should you need some inspirations to get started, we invite you to find ideas from our theme-inspired examples.

Explore on happysport.chopard.com

Following the success of the famous Happy Diamonds concept by Chopard in the 1970s, the first Happy Sport watch was released in 1993. Its casual elegance shows off unset diamonds that dance cheerfully, exuding their beauty in all their glory and adding a new dimension to time. Perfectly worn to embellish jeans, or to light up an evening gown, the 1993 Happy Sport watch is an iconic timepiece and an ideal match for any and all occasions.

Caroline Scheufele’s daring innovative design of the Happy Sport timepiece set the horological world on its heels when Chopard’s Co-President and Artistic Director was bold enough to carry out an audacious idea: the unprecedented encounter of strong steel and the incomparable radiance of inimitable and beautiful diamonds. An inspired dream was born.

Contemporary, urban, exuberant, conquering, resistant and sporty, the new Happy Sport watch challenged convention and embodies Chopard’s values of audacity, creativity and innovation. It immediately became a must-have timepiece.

A prelude to memorable variations, it was thanks to this one special watch launched in 1993 that the Happy Sport was born. Still sparkling 20 years later, it is a dazzling testament to the success story and the timeless charm of Chopard’s elegant and seductive Happy Sport Collection.

Selfridges is one of the most important destinations for shopping in Europe, and the Wonder Room is a fantastic showcase for luxury items, so it was only natural for Chopard to adapt its presence there. Renovation was conducted in the beginning of 2013, in order to enable us to welcome you in an even more favourable environment. The use of light-toned wood, opulent leathers, silk and precious velvet evokes a sense of luxury, warmth and familiarity.

We kindly invite you to the Boutique to discover the iconic Chopard collections. Our Boutique associates will be pleased to welcome you and present the latest collections and Boutique exclusivities. For full contact information, please refer to our store locator.

Read more about the Chopard Boutique concept created by Thierry W. Despont here.

Specially designed for watch enthusiasts, this strap collection is presented in six original colours: Black & Red, Brown, Red & Black, Yellow, Grey and Blue. These sophisticated straps bestow a unique character to the watch with an elegant vintage feel.

The L.U.C 1937 Classic timepiece, offers a stunning example of how the strap can give a discreet watch a new refreshing look. For instance, the blue strap is the perfect combination with a sunburst satin-brushed slate grey dial. This truly gorgeous pairing gives the wearer a distinctive look, but also the possibility to opt for a more casual chic look.

This bicoloured alligator leather strap collection reflects watchmaking tradition as well as technical expertise at Chopard. A single strap must go through more than 60 different stages, from a careful selection of skins, solidification of the leather strap, stitching by hand until the final finishing touches.

More information about the L.U.C collection on: http://www.chopard.com/#/en/l.u.c

Shop L.U.C timepieces on our U.S. E-Boutique: http://us.chopard.com/watches/l-u-c  (U.S. delivery only)

The ultra-thin watches in the L.U.C collection embody the very essence of a watch: simple objects concealing any underlying complexity and whose sole purpose is to tell the time while adopting a deliberately low profile. Their classic, resolutely horological design – based on ultra-thin cases with a slim bezel merging into plain-coloured dials – endows them with a timeless style beyond the reach of changing fashions.

Awarded “Watch of the Year” in 2006 at the Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève, the case of the L.U.C XP is less than 7 mm thick – 6.98 mm to be accurate – and has a diameter of 39.5 mm. Its mechanical self-winding L.U.C Calibre 96.17-L is equipped with a 22-carat gold micro-rotor type oscillating weight and has a frequency of 28,800 vibrations per hour.

The L.U.C XPS models combine the discretion of extreme slenderness with the technical sophistication of the small seconds appearing at 6 o’clock. This function enables it to earn a chronometer certification by the Swiss Official Chronometer Testing Institute (COSC), a guarantee of the precision and reliability of its L.U.C Calibre 96.12-L movement, visible through its transparent case-back.

Each timepiece of the L.U.C XP and XPS collection can easily suit the tastes of gentlemen with a penchant for elegance, timeless style and sophisticated design. Available in 18-carat gold or platinum, these understated watches allow the wearer to adopt a versatile sartorial style. Their pared-down simplicity suggests a perfect fit with both a classic suit and a more daring look, for example mixing rich fabrics such as cashmere and striped popeline with jeans. The L.U.C XP Skeletec watch hints at the mechanical perfection of the L.U.C Manufacture movements and is an invitation to adopt a more relaxed style.

The collection also offers stunning watches that will delight watch collectors. The L.U.C XPS Poinçon de Genève 125^th Anniversary limited edition, featuring a chocolate-toned dial with satin-brushed motif, and the L.U.C XPS Poinçon de Genève, a 25-pieces limited edition combining the radiance of platinum with the elegance of a blue sunburst satin-brushed dial.

More information about the L.U.C collection on: http://www.chopard.com/#/en/l.u.c

Shop L.U.C timepieces on our U.S. E-Boutique: http://us.chopard.com/watches/l-u-c (U.S. delivery only)

This special moment also heralds spring’s arrival and is the perfect occasion to offer gifts from the heart. Timeless expressions of passion, from the petals of the season’s delicately blooming tulips to the sparkling diamonds of a Very precious jewellery collection.

Discover our Ladies Collections on http://www.chopard.com/#/en/happycollections/

This elegant platinum timepiece features a blue sunburst satin-brushed dial bearing the “Poinçon de Genève” logo at 12 o’clock. The L.U.C XPS Poinçon de Genève is equipped with the in-house L.U.C Calibre 96.01-L and is certified by the Swiss Official Chronometer Testing Institute (COSC).

Passion and innovation are the hallmarks of Chopard’s philosophy, reflected in each unique creation of the L.U.C collection. The entire watch production operations from the movement development, design of the finished product, stamping and machining of cases, movement parts and bracelets, traditional hand-crafted decorations, surface treatments, polishing, assembly, until the adjustment and quality control, is fully mastered in-house by our artisans in Meyrin and Fleurier.

To further personalise this platinum limited edition of the L.U.C XPS, the case-back of each model has been individually hand-engraved with the “Poinçon de Genève” logo. Created back in 1886, the Poinçon de Genève or Geneva Quality Hallmark, guarantees an exceptional standard of quality by requiring manufacturers wishing to stamp it on their timepieces to comply with very strict rules.

More information about the Poinçon de Genève available on: http://www.timelab.ch/16/poincon-de-geneve

Jennifer Lawrence is following in the glamorous footsteps of Colin Firth, Charlize Theron, Hilary Swank, Rachel Weisz, Helen Mirren, Marion Cotillard, Kate Winslet, Penélope Cruz, Mo’Nique and Michel Hazanavicius. Chopard, the jeweler-watchmaker of the cinema world, has a decidedly golden touch.

As always, the stars stride the red carpet offering a spectacular parade of charm and elegance. Clothed in their stunning evening gowns and sparkling in Chopard jewellery as the flashbulbs pop all around them.

Chopard is well accustomed to red carpets, stellar events and promising encounters. We are engaged in a long-running love story studded with cinema, being Official Partner of the Cannes Film Festival for 16 years this year. We are also present at the most prestigious venues on the movie world calendar, including the Césars, BAFTA’s, Golden Globes and Oscars.

Our original and refined creations are able to enhance a woman’s natural beauty.  An ever increasing number of legendary stars and promising young hopefuls, actresses, actors and directors – choose to trust Chopard to make them shine at premiere screenings and official ceremonies.

Oscar Winners who won wearing Chopard: The Retrospective

2004 – Charlize Theron, Best Actress, Monster

2005 – Hilary Swank, Best Actress, Million Dollar Baby

2006 – Rachel Weisz, Best Supporting Actress, The Constant Gardener

2007 – Helen Mirren, Best Actress, The Queen

2008 – Marion Cotillard, Best Actress, La Vie en Rose

2009 – Kate Winslet, Best Actress, The Reader

2009 – Penelope Cruz, Best Supporting Actress, Vicky Cristina Barcelona

2010 – Mo’Nique, Best Supporting Actress, Precious

2011 – Colin Firth, Best Actor, The King’s Speech

2012 – Michel Hazanavicius, Best Director, The Artist

2013 – Jennifer Lawrence, Best Actress, Silver Linings Playbook

Our collaboration started with an exclusive party in Los Angeles for the Golden Globe Awards, which was followed by an after party in London for the BAFTAs yesterday evening and will be followed by parties for the Academy Awards and the Cannes and Venice Film Festivals.

Caroline Scheufele, Co-President and Artistic Director of Chopard, is the driving force behind Chopard’s unique relationship with the world of cinema: “I am extremely happy to partner with The Weinstein Company on the most glamorous awards ceremonies and cinema festivals in 2013 again. This year our partnership is growing and we have the pleasure to have Harvey as part of the Chopard Trophy jury, which awards two young acting talents during the Cannes Film Festival.”

Harvey Weinstein said “I am thrilled that we are continuing our partnership with Chopard.  Caroline’s passion for film is evident throughout the company and particularly in Chopard’s amazing work at the Cannes Film festival.   We are very grateful to Chopard for their continued support of our films.”

The exclusive after party held on Sunday following the BAFTAs celebrated the Weinstein films and nominees of Django Unchained, The Master and Silver Linings Playbook, with prestigious guests including Jennifer Lawrence and Marion Cotillard, dazzling in Chopard.

The Fleurier Ebauches workshops were founded by Chopard in July 2008 in Fleurier, in the Val-de-Travers region, in order to produce in-house movements. Endowed with an annual production capacity of 5,000 movements in 2012, Fleurier Ebauches expresses the determination of Chopard Co-President Karl-Friedrich Scheufele to strengthen our vertical integration in order to ensure its long-term independence, while also increasing production. The workshops neighbour the Chopard Manufacture, established since 1996, which dedicates to developing, producing and assembling Haute Horlogerie L.U.C calibres.

The new Superfast models carry an exclusive design inspired by the automotive world, and even the movements have been specially prepared. All the bridges are openworked with thin parallel lines reminiscent of cooling vents on sports cars – an unusual finish which allows the inner workings of the movement to be admired through the transparent case-back.

Displaying hours, minutes and seconds, as well as the date through a window at 6 o’clock, the Superfast Automatic is equipped with the self-winding Chopard Calibre 01.01-M, a movement entirely designed, developed and produced in Chopard’s Fleurier Ebauches workshops. This calibre is chronometer-certified by the COSC and has a comfortable 60-hour power reserve.

Another variation on this exceptional movement also drives the Superfast Power Control model. This evolved version named Chopard Calibre 01.02-M offers a range of functions comprising hours, minutes, small seconds at 6 o’clock, the date through a window at 3 o’clock, and a power-reserve indicator in a sector-type display at 9 o’clock.

The Superfast Chrono houses Chopard Calibre 03.05-M, a mechanical self-winding movement powering hours, minutes, small seconds at 6 o’clock, a window-type date display between 4 and 5 o’clock, a tachometric scale engraved on the bezel, and a chronograph with sweep seconds hand, minute counter at 3 o’clock and hour counter at 9 o’clock.

Discover the sporty, sophisticated and powerful Superfast models with full technical details, and 360° view on www.chopard.com/classic-racing

Explore Chopard’s special gifts selection and let love take you higher this Valentine’s Day.

Happy Diamonds Icons Collection

Original and timeless, the Happy Diamonds Icons line combines feminine style with jewellery excellence. In this heart-shaped motif, the freely moving diamonds sparkle exquisitely between the two sapphire crystals in a celebration of light and liberty. The pendants, rings and earrings of this collection can either be worn separately or together and will make your sweetheart glow with love.

High Jewellery Set

The amethyst and pink sapphire set from our Precious Temptations collection, including a ring and a pair of earrings, shines in poignant and elegant shades at the height of your passion..

Mille Miglia Chronograph for Her and for Him

Inspired by the beauty of classic cars, the Mille Miglia Chronograph demonstrates a perfect pairing of automobile design and mechanical watchmaking. Let your hearts beat faster with these two Mille Miglia ladies and gents watches and be a declaration of eternal love.

This Valentine’s Day, allow Chopard be your Messenger of Love: write a note to your beloved and let the lantern raise your love to the top of the world…

Visit www.chopard.com/messenger-of-love

Launched in 2007 with the opening of a flagship store on Madison Avenue, the new decoration concept has since been applied to all new openings and will in due course be present in all Chopard Boutiques. The Boutique on the Rue du Rhône, one of the most important for Chopard – with headquarters in Geneva – was naturally the next Boutique chosen to adopt this new look.

The renovated and extended Boutique on the Rue du Rhône is reminiscent of a beautiful home and blends Chopard’s century-old family tradition and high-tech creations. Mr. Despont’s Boutique concept truly is the perfect setting to view Chopard’s collections. Each detail of these points of sale has been thought through in conjunction with Caroline Scheufele, Co-President of Chopard and head of distribution network, who said: “With these new environments, we want to encourage our clients to discover the multiple facets of the Chopard universe.”

We welcome you to visit the Chopard Boutique on the Rue du Rhône. Our Boutique associates will be pleased to present our latest collections and Boutique exclusivities. For full contact information, please refer to our store locator.

Read more about the Chopard Boutique concept created by Thierry W. Despont here.

Anna Netrebko, José Carreras and Erwin Schrott – three longstanding friends of the Scheufele family that owns Chopard – gave an exceptional performance on January 20^th, 2013, before a full house at Geneva’s Victoria Hall, backed by the Gstaad Festival Orchestra conducted on this occasion by David Giménez.

On stage, after the Gstaad Festival Orchestra played the Overture from William Tell by Giocchino Rossini (1792-1868), the artists notably performed pieces such as “Bess you is my woman” from George Gershwin’s Porgy and Bess (1898-1937) as well as “Quando me’n vo” from The Bohemian Girl by Giacomo Puccini (1858-1924).

During the second half of the evening, the artists and guests congregated for a private event held at the nearby Little Buddha restaurant. Dinner was served to the tune of a lively musical accompaniment from the Gypsy Queens.

More information about the José Carreras International Foundation for the Fight against Leukaemia : www.fcarreras.org

More information about the Anna & Erwin Foundation – Anna Netrebko and Erwin Schrott for Kids : www.annaanderwin4kids.com

Could an aphorism be closer to a jeweler’s philosophy? Just like a masterpiece of true beauty seems to be a reflection of paradise upon earth, jewels are the epitome of sublime, the precious flowers of a secret garden.

On the very special occasion of the Chinese New Year, we invite you to discover a selection of dazzling treasures, sophisticated artworks filled with elegance and poetry.

Explore the L.U.C XP Urushi collection featuring Maki-e and Urushi, the ancestral Japanese arts of  lacquering. This unique collection has been supervised by artist Kiichiro Masumura, proclaimed a Living National Treasure in his country. The dial of the L.U.C XP Urushi is adorned with Maki-e paintings, a specific Urushi technique that requires the most highly-skilled craftsmanship, as the lacquer has been sprinkled with gold powder to create a picture of spectacular intensity. It is showcased in the ultra-thin L.U.C XP model fitted with the mechanical self-winding L.U.C 96.17-L movement, quintessence of watchmaking art and refinement.

Give the New Year a sparkling twist with a Happy Sport watch, one of Chopard’s greatest classics and the festive expression of a joyful creativity. Free diamonds twirling around, what better way to enjoy life on the bright side? The perfect blend of urbanity, sophistication and exuberance to start an exceptionally gifted New Year!

For many years, Chopard has been a loyal partner of legendary classic car races, including the Grand Prix de Monaco Historique and the Mille Miglia. The cars that originally featured in those races – including Bugatti, Aston Martin and Ferrari – have today evolved into powerful and contemporary sports cars. The new and wildly elegant forms these vehicles now embrace has inspired these three new models. The Superfast Automatic, Superfast Chrono and Superfast Power Control pieces bring the world of precision watchmaking to the thrill-seeking sports-car drivers who are not afraid of power.

These timepieces have their own distinctive and bold characters. Just as the most famous racing teams throughout history must find a driver whose ambition, talent, and determination matches that of its cars, these three new pieces become truly remarkable on the wrist of those owners who in life live with equal ambition and drive.

In an effort to match the Superfast Automatic, Superfast Power Control and Superfast Chrono watches to its owner, we have created a Facebook application which asks what defines your quest to be “Superfast”.

As you adjust the dials for power, control and speed, you are transported to your own race, set on a mountain road, with tight and challenging curves; an open road along speed-fueled straights; and a classic racing circuit, a course similar to those where many famous drivers, teams and cars have made their name in the world of automobile racing.

Each combination of power, control and speed is completely unique to each driver and opens an opportunity to discover which of the Superfast Automatic, Superfast Power Control and Superfast Chrono watches truly reflects your own style of driving.

For those who find that their driving style equates to that of the Superfast Automatic, they will discover a piece that with only a passing glance reveals a forceful elegance – contemporary design with a luxurious finish, 18-carat rose gold case, chronometer certified movement and 60-hour power reserve.

Battling it out for pole position on a classic racing circuit in the heart of Italy, there is no time for distraction as you race with all your attention focused on the track in front. As you drop down through the gears and take each turn with an elegant confidence, knowing where you stand with your competitors in fierce pursuit all around you marks the difference between winning and second place.

If your style of driving is representative of the Superfast Power Control, then this timepiece with its date through a window at 3 o’clock, and a power-reserve indicator in a sector-type display at 9 o’clock makes a commanding presence on the wrist.

This is especially important on the long, straight and open highway roads, where you can drive for miles with little sign of another person, let alone a change in landscape. Once you have left your rivals in the dust behind you it is only you and the open road. With the confidence of knowing you have a full tank of gas you can put your foot down and make your way towards the setting sun in the distance.

Finally, a driver matched to the Superfast Chrono will be equipped with an equally powerful 45 mm-diameter case, a tachometric scale engraved on the bezel, and a chronograph with sweep seconds hand, minute counter at 3 o’clock and hour counter at 9 o’clock.

For this driver there is no room for error as you sweep around corners making your way towards the peak of the mountain. As the plush green tree-line gives way to jagged rocks peppered with ice and snow, it will require nerves of steel and acute precision to make sure you avoid a mistake that could send you towards the edge.

We now challenge you to find your own equilibrium between power, control and speed. If you think you have what it takes to be “Superfast”, take your seat, adjust your monitor and visit Chopard’s Facebook page.

www.facebook.com/chopard

Oud Malaki means “Royal Oud” in Arabic, a fitting name for the most luxurious interpretation of this noble accord. To give it the greatest possible balance and radiance, we have collaborated with French master perfumer Dominique Ropion, who has signed countless bestsellers and is renowned for the meticulous care he takes in crafting his formulas.

“The idea was to create a mastered and precise construction around beautiful qualities of materials”, Dominique Ropion explains. “It could be compared to the extreme quality and the attention to details brought into Chopard’s products.” His interpretation of the note, he adds, “offers a more refined, structured and complex sensuality than traditional oud fragrances”.

Oud Malaki opens with luminous and aromatic top notes. The sunny burst of grapefruit, the cleanliness of lavender and the slight herbal bitterness of artemisia contrast with the addictive smoothness of heart notes, a warm accord of tobacco and spices with leather undertones. To enhance the most elegant facets of this oud accord, its deep, liqueur-like sensuousness is conjured with a vibrant accord of dark woods and suave ambergris. These upscale ingredients are reflected by the rich amber colour of the juice.

Powerful, seductive and passionately masculine, this connoisseur’s blend expresses the sensual personality of the Oud Malaki man, a lover of life’s finer pleasures and of beautiful objects. To showcase his regal scent, the precious glass bottle is adorned with a gold cap reprising the codes of the Chopard watch universe.

The luxurious fragrance is available as 50 and 80 ml Eau de Parfum exclusively in select stores in the Middle East and in Chopard Boutiques.

We invite you to add a festive feel to your desktop, iPad and smartphone screen with our custom “A Season of Gifts” wallpapers. Not only trees deserve wonderful ornaments, let your digital screens sparkle too. Download your favourite compositions on http://www.chopard.com/a-season-of-gifts/goodies

This beautiful season is also the best time to share your love and best wishes with your special ones. Therefore, we have prepared just for you a precious virtual greeting card. Do not wait any longer, spread your cheer now with Chopard:
http://www.chopard.com/a-season-of-gifts/greeting-card

The brand new Boutique at Shanghai Xintiandi embraces our signature global design concept by renowned architect Thierry W. Despont. The 106 square meters space is reminiscent of a beautiful home and blends Chopard’s century-old family tradition and high-tech creations. Mr. Despont’s Boutique concept truly is the perfect setting to view Chopard’s collections, now and in the years to come.

Ultraviolet is a unique restaurant created by chef Paul Pairet that unites food with multi-sensorial technologies in order to create a fully immersive dining experience. Dinner unfolded as a sensory play exclusively and newly choreographed for Chopard. Guests savoured eighteen avant-garde flavours that transcended creativity and innovation into an ultimate expression of culinary art. Such are the ingredients that make Chopard a House with exceptional jewellery and timepieces, where creativity and constant innovations are transcended by the passion for excellence.

We welcome you to visit the Chopard Shanghai Xintiandi Boutique. Our Boutique associates will be pleased to present our latest collections and Boutique exclusivities, including jewellery, watches and accessories made with outstanding craft. For full contact information, please refer to our store locator.

Read more about the Chopard Boutique concept created by Thierry W. Despont here.

The sleek, powerful and sporty Superfast models are directly inspired by the automobile world, with their dial and case evoking cooling vents, a bezel resembling vintage compressors, a black rubber-moulded crown – adorned with a racing steering wheel – and pushers, as well as a power-reserve display designed like a petrol gauge.

After a presentation of the three Superfast watches given by Chopard Co-President, Karl-Friedrich Scheufele, guests enjoyed the opportunity to slip into the shoes of a racing driver and experiencing the unique thrills procured by speed machines hurtling around a dedicated track.

Jacky Ickx, six-time winner of “Le Mans 24 Hours” race, had brought two exceptional Porsche 936 Spyder cars with him – one dating from 1977 and the other from 1981. Both have indeed been driven by the champion in the prestigious endurance race. He also gave a breathtaking demonstration in front of the enchanted guests.

Karl-Friedrich Scheufele also noted that these are the first models in the Classic Racing collection to be powered by an in-house movement from the Fleurier Ebauches workshops, and represent a major step forward towards even greater independence for Chopard.

Discover the Superfast Automatic, Power Control and Chrono models on www.chopard.com/classic-racing

The 1000 Millas Sport is a 1’600-km drive through the perfect scenery of Patagonia, offering its participants breathtaking views on surrounding lakes, valleys and mountains. Some 150 classic cars took part in the rally.

To celebrate this prestigious classic car race in Latin America, we created the 1000 Millas GTXL Chrono 2012, an exclusive chronograph limited to 25 pieces.

Chopard has been playing an active part in the Classic Racing universe, giving rise to a collection of watches which represent elegance and high performance needed in both the watch and classic car race industries.

Discover the Classic Racing watch collection on www.chopard.com/classic-racing

Fifty years ago, the world lost the talented and legendary Marilyn Monroe. As symbols of ultimate glamour, beauty and allure, Marilyn Monroe and Chopard were destined to cross paths. We pay tribute to the timeless star by presenting “Marilyn Forever”, a rare exhibit of photographs by Milton H. Greene, from the private collections of the renowned historic photographer.

The exceptional series of 25 exclusive photographs of the star by Milton H. Greene was first presented in the Chopard Lounge at the Hotel Martinez, throughout the 2012 Cannes Film Festival, before touring the world during the rest of the year.

More information about our tribute to Marilyn Monroe available on: http://us.chopard.com/high-jewelry/tribute-marilyn

Our special gift selections for this holiday season are presented under four different themes perfectly embodying the values and tradition of Chopard: “Exceptional”, “Heritage”, “On The Move” and “Timeless”.

The “Exceptional” gift selection includes a number of magnificent pieces with some unique features. The L.U.C Lunar One timepiece is one dreamy gift that will be treasured by your loved ones, with its fascinating moon-phase display. Another exceptional gift is the majestic IMPERIALE watch in rose gold with a myriad of diamonds, a true masterpiece offering exquisite radiance and elegance.

The timepieces in the “Heritage” gift selection express Chopard’s finest watchmaking tradition. In this selection, you will find the perfect presents reflecting the fabulous history of Chopard, such as the Classic Manufacture watch in rose gold and the IMPERIALE fountain pen with a delicate lotus-shaped engraving, inspired by traditional embroidery.

The “On The Move” gift selection adds a really playful mood to the enchanting holiday season. It includes the Happy Sport Medium watch, with moving diamonds giving it a truly dynamic feel. In a more sporty spirit, the Superfast watch, with its assertive personality, will be a powerful presence on any man’s wrist.

And finally, the “Timeless” gifts selection presents you a series of pieces, like beautiful memories, that will stay close to your heart forever. You will find the IMPERIALE pendant with pink quartz set conveying an exquisite aura of majestic femininity, or the prestigious L.U.C Qualité Fleurier watch symbolising the peak of watchmaking art.

The gift of love, passion and happiness. With Chopard, may all these be yours during this season of gifts.

Celebrate a season of wonderful gifts and precious greetings on: www.chopard.com/a-season-of-gifts

The delightful “Disney Princess Collection” was imagined by Caroline Scheufele, Chopard Co-President and Artistic Director, in collaboration with Disney and Harrods. Brought into being with Disney’s legendary princesses in mind, this unique High Jewellery collection is a true enchantment.

The baby blue flowers made of briolette-cut Paraiba tourmalines bring to memory the powder blue gown worn by Tiana on the night she met her Prince. Intertwined branches paved with sublime tsavorites and forest green emeralds meet at junctions with luscious pearls of the greatest sheen.

The Tiana necklace – which required 240 hours of work – is a visual melody with its precious and fine stones appearing to be in a jazzy harmony. Because Tiana never forgot what was important to her, this floral marvel is a tribute to her journey into the realisation of her dreams.

We kindly invite you to our Boutique at Harrods to discover the magical “Disney Princess Collection” by Chopard, on display until the end of December, 2012.

The 64th edition of BAMBI took place in Düsseldorf on November 22nd, 2012. The founder of the prize, publisher Dr. Hubert Burda, welcomed some 800 celebrity guests of the society, show business, media, politics and business worlds to the glittering gala. Among many prize winners, the Mexican actress Salma Hayek was awarded in the “International Film” category.

Caroline Scheufele, Co-President and Artistic Director of Chopard, redesigned the deer statuette seven years ago and added a “diamond base” to the trophy, making it even more precious. This crystal base is manufactured in our workshops in Geneva.

Salma Hayek and Eva Padberg were among the actresses and celebrities who chose to wear Chopard jewellery at the 2012 BAMBI Awards. Caroline Scheufele attended the event with her father Karl Scheufele, Chairman of Chopard.

Superfast models are intended for devotees of fine watchmaking capable of taming the inevitable feeling of power they procure. Generously sized while displaying bold lines and a resolutely virile design, these three new Superfast models carry references to the world of competitive car racing.

The dial of each model displays silver brushed vertical lines against a black background evoking the cooling fins found on air-cooled racing engines. On the inner bezel ring, the minute numerals adopt the appearance of the markers that adorn sports-car rev-counters and speedometers. The hour, minute and seconds counters provide the legibility required in tense situations.

The natural rubber strap carries the smooth tread of the slick tyres immediately identifiable with high-speed track motor racing. A multitude of other elements – such as the Classic Racing collection’s steering wheel logo on the rubber-moulded gold crown, the grooves engraved on the sides of the lugs – continuing the Superfast’s cooling-fin theme, rubber-coated pushers for better grip, as well as the Allen screws on the bezel inspired by those on car-wheel rims – all refer to the world of auto racing.

Even the movements have been specially prepared. All the bridges are openworked with thin parallel lines in the style of cooling vents on sports cars – an unusual finish which allows the inner workings of the movement to be tirelessly admired through the transparent case-back.

Discover the Superfast models with full technical details on www.chopard.com/classic-racing

In his thank you speech, Karl-Friedrich Scheufele, Co-President of Chopard, said: « This watch perfectly symbolizes the world of Chopard: the symbiosis of two passions, “Haute Horlogerie” and “Haute Joaillerie”, and celebrates all the time honoured-crafts practised at Chopard ».

Presented by Adriana Karembeu and Frédéric Beigbeder, the prize-giving ceremony of the 12^th edition of the Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève (GPHG) was held in the Grand Théâtre de Genève, in the presence of the most influential personalities in the watch industry and representatives of the Geneva authorities. This event, which has become one of the highlights on the international watchmaking calendar, rewards the values of the watch industry: innovation, perpetuating expertise across generations and a constant quest for excellence.

This event which has established itself as a stellar fixture on the international watchmaking calendar offers an annual salute to the excellence of worldwide watch production.

The IMPERIALE Tourbillon Joaillerie is an exquisite embodiment of our two domains of excellence – watchmaking and jewellery. The breathtaking gem-setting work is a masterful demonstration of jewellery-making skills, while the L.U.C 02-14-L movement – entirely designed, developed and crafted by hand – is equipped with a tourbillon, one of the finest complications of watchmaking.

Read more: IMPERIALE Tourbillon Joaillerie – A two-fold demonstration of excellence.

More information about the Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève on www.gphg.org.

The enchanting “Disney Princess Collection” was dreamed up by Caroline Scheufele, our Co-President and Artistic Director, in collaboration with Disney and Harrods. Designed with the iconic Disney Princesses in mind comes an exclusive High Jewellery collection which will mesmerize you.

The manner in which Belle’s graceful gown floats from one layer into the next, so do the stones used in this piece, using shading from one side of the neck to another, starting from an electric blue 69-carat pear-shaped tanzanite and blue round sapphires, swimming through purples and violets with marquise-cut and oval amethysts. Pear, square and round-shaped rubellites add strong shades of magenta, followed by morganites, kunzites and spinels.

The shading concludes with round pink and white diamonds while the heart-shaped pink sapphires represent Belle’s caring nature, connecting back with the magnificent tanzanite, reminiscent of her great love for her prince. The dress-like frills of the design, the pleasantries of the warm hues and the pear-shaped structure of the necklace make it an exceptional work of art. A matching ring and earrings beautifully complete this unique set.

This necklace is both an aesthetic and technical performance. It took more than 900 hours of work and no less than 10 talented artisans to “embroider” it. 1’551 precious stones, for a total of 372 carats, of which the 69-carat pear-shaped tanzanite, were needed to accomplish this masterpiece.

We invite you to our Boutique at Harrods to discover the magical “Disney Princess Collection” by Chopard, on display until the end of December, 2012.

Through the years, Chopard has maintained the distinguished status as ‘Jeweller to the Stars’ and our admiration of cinema has only become stronger. Being a partner of the Cannes Film Festival and close ties with the movie industry has led us to our next realm – the magical world of the Disney Princess.

Caroline Scheufele, our Co-President and Artistic Director,  has interpreted the key characteristics of Ariel, Belle, Cinderella, Jasmine, Mulan, Pocahontas, Rapunzel, Sleeping Beauty, Snow White and Tiana by designing ten unique High Jewellery pieces unveiled at the Chopard Boutique at Harrods, the internationally renowned department store, in London.

“I have always loved the world of fantasy and honoured the relationship that Chopard has with the film industry. The world of Walt Disney has often been an inspiration for a variety of Chopard pieces and I am very happy to have been given the opportunity to design the famous Princesses’ pieces of jewellery. Cinderella, Snow White, Rapunzel… and all the other ones have been a great source of inspiration for me, giving birth to this new elegant yet playful collection of High Jewellery – a perfect expression of the Chopard aesthetic.” says Caroline Scheufele.

This launch coincides with Harrods’ festive Disney themed Christmas celebration, the centrepiece of which is an extravagant set of window displays showcasing 10 stunning dresses created by world-leading designers – each based on their glamorous interpretations of the original Disney Princess dresses.

We kindly invite you to our Boutique at Harrods in order to discover this one-of-a-kind collection.

The new Boutique, which embraces our signature global design concept by famed architect Thierry W. Despont, will serve as a must-see destination for its sophisticated aesthetic, reflecting the décor of an inviting living room. The 800-square-foot location is a lavish jewel box created expressly to highlight our stunning jewels, watches and other finely crafted luxurious products.

A new extension of the Elton John Watch Collection, co-designed by Caroline Scheufele and Sir Elton John, was exclusively exhibited during the private soirée. The collection, now available in a 38mm edition, benefits the Elton John AIDS Foundation which Caroline Scheufele has supported for nearly 15 years, raising millions of dollars annually since 1992 in an effort to promote prevention programs and direct treatment for those living with HIV/AIDS around the globe.

Our Boutique associates will be pleased to welcome you and present our latest collections and Boutique exclusivities. For full contact information, please refer to our store locator.

For the eight consecutive year, Arabian Watches & Jewellery (AWJ) Magazine hosted this awards ceremony, presented alongside the Jewellery Arabia 2012 fair, in which our latest creations were exhibited.

Discover the IMPERIALE collection: http://chopard.com/imperiale

In the evening, the Boutique opening was celebrated with a gala dinner in the Troja Castle. The baroque palace from the 17^th century was bathed in blue lightning for the occasion. The guests were treated to a stunning show of jewels from the Red Carpet High Jewellery collection.

We kindly invite you to our new Boutique in order to discover the iconic Chopard collections. Our Boutique associates will be pleased to welcome you and present our latest collections and Boutique exclusivities. For full contact information, please refer to our store locator.

Commonly associated with nobility, purple is par excellence a royal colour. In the world of gemstones, amethyst is a symbol of protection and has been a prized gem for centuries. The stone is included in royal collections all over the world, from Ancient Egypt to the Crown Jewels of England. With the IMPERIALE collection, our Maison pays tribute to the noble beauty of amethysts.

Crafted like lace, the rose gold of the IMPERIALE ring, pendant and earrings delicately encases a large cushion-cut amethyst and accents the purple hues of the stone. With refined and generous proportions, this purple collection is a treasure of femininity and majesty fit for a modern empress.

In an ultimate touch of refinement, the crown delicately curved like a lotus flower and the lugs of our IMPERIALE timepieces are also adorned with tiny amethyst cabochons, expressing the splendours of the imperial age.

Whether wearing it from head to toe or more subtly with only jewellery; whether it is violet, mauve or lavender, update your Fall wardrobe with purple eyes…

With beautiful imagery and a wealth of details about each piece showcased, our newly designed website takes you on a journey of variety and discovery, allowing for the ultimate experience.

A range of products are available for purchase at the e-boutique, ranging from accessories to specialty jewellery and timepieces. The selection includes best sellers and iconic collections such as Happy Diamonds, IMPERIALE, Classic Racing, L.U.C, High Jewellery, and a host of exclusive limited editions.

Additionally, the e-boutique invites you to rediscover Chopard’s rich historical roots, cutting-edge fine watchmaking prowess, and visionary design processes. The store locator page will help you find every official retail partner in the United States of America.

We invite you to experience our US e-boutique on http://us.chopard.com

We kindly invite you to the redesigned Boutique in order to discover the iconic Chopard collections. Our Boutique associates will be pleased to welcome you and present the latest collections and Boutique exclusivities. For full contact information, please refer to our store locator.

The final of the “1er Open de France de Polo Féminin Chopard” took place on Sunday 16th September 2012 at the Polo Club du Domaine de Chantilly, after 10 days of epic competition between eight participating teams.

In The Wings Tom Tailor Centre Porsche Roissy team won by only one point over the HECLA team. The charming and elegant competitors came from all over the world with France, the United Kingdom, the United States of America, Luxembourg, Jamaica, Argentina and Columbia represented.

This “1er Open de France de Polo Féminin Chopard” was born from the encounter of two exceptional women, Caroline Scheufele, our Co-President and Artistic Director and Corinne Ricard, horse lover and mastermind of the event. Seduced by Caroline Scheufele’s energy and personality, Corinne Ricard offered us to join this adventure by becoming the official sponsor of the competition.

The four winners from the In The Wings Tom Tailor Centre Porsche Roissy team were presented with an exclusive Happy Sport Chrono timepiece.

At Chopard, we would like to invite you to explore our universe on this visual inspiration network, where we will be sharing with you the unique creations of our Maison and more wonders.

As a first step, you will discover our new IMPERIALE collection through three universes: by Day, by Night and Forever.

To start your delightful experience on Pinterest, join us on this exciting platform and enjoy an exclusive visual enchantment. Indulge yourself in an elegant atmosphere, and reveal yourself as an IMPERIALE woman.

More inspirational boards will be coming soon. Which part of the Chopard world would you like us to unveil?

www.pinterest.com/chopard

The collaboration with The Weinstein Company started with an exclusive party held in Los Angeles on January 15^th for the Golden Globe Awards, which was followed by an after party in London for the BAFTAs on February 12^th, a party in Los Angeles for the Academy Awards™ on February 25th and two parties in Cannes in May to celebrate The Weinstein Company’s movies “Lawless” and “Killing Them Softly”.

Caroline Scheufele, our Co-President and Artistic Director, driving force behind Chopard’s unique relationship with the world of cinema, commented on the collaboration: “I am very excited by this partnership, working together with The Weinstein Company means so much when you love cinema and its universe… I loved collaborating with Harvey on Nine in 2010 by creating High Jewellery pieces for the film characters and I am very excited by this new opportunity!”

Harvey Weinstein said “We are thrilled to be back in business with Chopard who have a great history of supporting the arts and cinema in particular. Chopard represents the highest quality and design in jewellery and watches and we are very proud to be associated with this incredible brand.”

Kristin Scott Thomas looked stunning wearing incredible white gold and diamonds earrings. For Chopard, Harumi designed this extraordinary piece, which evokes a horse and a lion, historically linked to the city of Venice, remembering her first trip there with her father Balthus, the internationally renowned painter.

Our Co-President Caroline Scheufele had been willing for a long time to collaborate with Harumi, who is a friend of her family. Harumi Klossowska de Rola’s love story with jewellery stones started in her childhood, in her family’s villa in Rome, where she spent hours picking rocks of all shades and colours, sandstones as well as mosaic fragments. She then decided to become a designer and chose to create jewellery.

Elegance and mystery have become Harumi Klossowska de Rola’s signature, with her way of mixing minerals, wood, stone and fabric. The sophistication of her work naturally led her to collaborate with Chopard.

We kindly invite you to the redesigned Boutique in order to discover the iconic Chopard collections. Our Boutique associates will be pleased to welcome you and present the latest collections and Boutique exclusivities. For full contact information, please refer to our store locator.

In its White version as in its Black version, this new Happy Sport Medium presents a guilloche dial, a tribute to the decorating traditions of classic watchmaking, and a background conducive to highlighting the five moving diamonds, which ripple the surface of this tranquil sea with sparkling foam. To allow such characteristic to decorate its space, the indicators are placed on the bezel, while the Chopard logo can be seen on the glass.

Its steel casing of 36 mm in diameter is topped with a white or black gloss bezel, while its crown is set with a pastel-blue sapphire of great clarity. Equipped with a quartz movement with a simple date display and water-resistant up to 30 metres, this new Happy Sport Medium comes mounted on a strap of white or black rubber.

Like a precious aquarium, the new Happy Fish watches are each home to three little clown fish in 18-carat rose or white gold, set with yellow sapphires, tsavorites, rubies and onyxes. Swimming in a dial painted in tones of blue and depicting the bustle of a lively coral reef, the little residents of these new quirky time-keepers invite you to explore the silent world.

Available in steel or in 18-carat rose gold with a bezel set with diamonds, at 36mm in diameter the Happy Fish is of a size suitable for all occasions. The crown is set with a blue sapphire in both versions. Water-resistant up to 30 metres and powered by a quartz movement, it is rounded off by a strap in blue satin.

For the fourth time in the history of Chopard Manufacture, we present a model bearing the prestigious label. The following timepieces earned the certification previously: the first L.U.C Qualité Fleurier in 2005, the L.U.C Tech Qualité Fleurier in 2009, and the L.U.C Triple Certification Tourbillon in 2011.

To underscore the exceptional qualities of this authentic precision instrument, the dial of the new L.U.C Qualité Fleurier reveals refined and original technical details that are focused on readability: the sunburst satin-brushed silver-toned base appears designed to catch and hold the light, creating a remarkable contrast with the gilded hands, while the slender applied gilded baton-shaped hour-markers are surrounded by a minute track.

The 39 mm-diameter, 18-carat rose gold case with a transparent back houses L.U.C Calibre 96.09-L featuring two “Twin” technology stacked barrels endowed with an approximately 65-hour power reserve. Beating at the rhythm of 28,800 vibrations per hour, it drives the hour, minute and small seconds functions at 6 o’clock. The new L.U.C Qualité Fleurier model is water-resistant to 30 metres and fitted with a hand-sewn brown alligator leather strap equipped with a rose gold pin buckle. This exceptional model is issued in a 300-piece limited edition.

Three trials for one certification

The Fleurier Quality label is a particularly demanding guarantee of global quality granted by the Foundation bearing the same name. The Fleurier Quality Foundation is an independent certification body created in 2001. The certification process involves a series of steps aimed at guaranteeing not only the watch movement’s precision, but also its reliability, its durability and the quality of its aesthetic finishing. After the movement itself, the finished watch is also tested in simulated wearing conditions – hence the idea of global quality.

The precision of each movement is tested by the benchmark authority in this field, the Swiss Official Chronometer Testing Institute (COSC), the only organisation in Switzerland entitled to deliver the much sought-after “chronometer” title. During two weeks of testing the movement is put through various paces in five positions and at three different temperatures. The calibre’s variation in rate must fall within the tolerance range of -4/+6 seconds per day.

The durability and robustness are tested by the Chronofiable random sampling procedure conducted on a representative selection of finished watches. The latter are subjected to tests relating to ageing, heat, cold and damp, as well as to repeated pushing and pulling on the winding stem, to multiple triggering of the pushpieces, magnetic fields and violent impacts.

Finally, the smooth operation of the finished watch undergoes a further control by the Fleuritest machine specially developed by the Fleurier Quality Foundation to provide the most faithful possible simulation of wear on the wrist over a 24-hour cycle. The variation in rate is optically verified by a camera linked to a computer and must remain within 0 to +5 seconds for the entire 24-hour cycle.

Only timepieces that have successfully passed all these tests, and of which the movement features the required level of aesthetic finish, are deemed worthy to earn the Fleurier Quality certification.

The new Boutiques are sure to be “must-visit” destinations. They artfully embrace the global updated Chopard design concept that was launched in 2007 at the Madison Avenue flagship in New York City. The Scheufele family, owner of Chopard, turned to famed architect Thierry W. Despont to design that Boutique, which articulates a warm, gracious home atmosphere, and now serves as the design basis for all Boutiques. Since that New York opening, Chopard has been systematically renovating and expanding its free-standing stores, and opening new boutiques that emulate the visionary concept.

Reflecting the décor of an inviting living room, the new Boutiques boast light woods for flooring and panelling, sumptuous fabrics, and furnishings – from tables to vitrines and lighting – created expressly to highlight our stunning jewels, watches and other finely crafted luxurious products.

“I am very pleased with the expansion of Chopard’s Boutiques network. In 2011, we opened 11 new Boutiques, all bearing our new design concept. For 2012, I am looking forward to the opening of Las Vegas, our new flagship Boutique in Geneva, as well as the opening of a new Boutique in Shanghai, two in Beijing, and our second largest Boutique in the world, in Kuwait, to name a few,” said Caroline Scheufele earlier this year. “We also look forward to working with new and exciting retail partners around the world.”

We kindly invite you to visit our Boutiques around the world in order to discover our latest collections. You can find the full addresses on our Store Locator.

With its generous 42mm case in 18-carat rose gold, the Happy Beach Chrono will leave no one cold on the warm sandy beaches this summer. With its painted dial representing a strip of sand swept by the waves and its little moving flip-flops set with diamonds, it leaves no room for doubt: we are celebrating the theme of the beach, the summer and the pleasures they bring.

Presenting the chronograph and date functions in a window eccentrically placed at 4.30, the Happy Beach Chrono is powered by a quartz movement and is water-resistant up to 30 metres. Its rotating bezel in 18-carat rose gold is topped with blue gloss indicators, while its crown, also in 18-carat rose gold, is set with a blue sapphire. Finally, in a nod to the beach chairs of yesteryear, the Happy Beach Chrono’s water-resistant brushed canvas strap is white with blue stripes – just as it should be.

As an homage to these 20 consecutive years of representing a long tradition of classic racing, we launched an exclusive chronograph with a special feature: the number „20“ is symbolically displayed on the position of 12 o’clock. The Chopard Ennstal-Classic Chronograph 2012, which was presented end of April in Vienna by Sir Stirling Moss, is limited to 20 pieces.

Karl Scheufele, chairman of Chopard, and his son Karl-Friedrich Scheufele, Co-President, opened on Saturday morning the now traditional Chopard Brunch at the Ennstal-Classic. We were honoured to welcome many legendary pilots for this occasion: Sir Stirling Moss with Lady Susie, Nigel Mansell, Earl of March and Kinrara, Jochen Mass, Nanni Galli, Dieter Quester, Jo Ramirez, Norman Dewis, Mario Illienand and Maria Teresa de Filipis.

The involvement in the Ennstal-Classic, just as in the Mille Miglia, the Grand Prix de Monaco Historique or other classic racing events, is sign of our passionate relationship with the world of classic cars and our profound respect for sporting excellence driven by passion and precision.

First, where does the name IMPERIALE come from?

The name IMPERIALE have been inspired by distinctive imperial periods such as the Byzantine, Greek, Oriental and Roman Empires. The splendours of the imperial age are expressed throughout this sculptural collection.

How can you describe the IMPERIALE collection?

Very emblematic of Chopard signature: it radiates an aura of timeless chic embodying a subtle alliance of majestuous simplicity and sophisticated sensuality.

Where does the “IMPERIALE motif” come from?

The motif was inspired by the traditional embroideries that used to decorate imperial gowns and cushions. As much ethereal and delicate than precious and voluptuous, the IMPERIALE motif lends itself to a wide range of refined compositions.

On what occasion you would wear an IMPERIALE creation?

IMPERIALE appears in an infinite variety of interpretations, appealing to the most demanding woman, and so to accompany them on all occasions…by day, by night, and forever.

How would you portray the IMPERIALE woman personality?

My inspiration is drawn from refined and sophisticated women with strong personalities who appreciate the discreet luxury of extremely beautiful objects.

Thus, she is represented as a  woman of classical, refined tastes searching for a feminine watch and jewels that simultaneously provide both a strong presence and timeless discretion.

What is her life motto?

Always be spontaneous and audacious. Live life fully.

Can you name three things the Imperiale woman can’t live without?

Family, love and diamonds.

What is her greatest luxury?

Find free time. For herself and the people she loves.

Finally, describe IMPERIALE in two words:

Sophisticated and sensual.

Eminently feminine, it is pervaded by an intimate and refined boudoir spirit expressed through subtle and delicate details.

Its timeless chic revives the spirit and the splendour of imperial classicism. The lotus-shaped motif which adorns the dials of the watches has been inspired by the traditional embroideries that used to decorate imperial gowns. This precious symbolic detail blossoms on pendants, sleeper earrings, rings, and slender bracelets. The white and rose gold curves of the jewellery provide fascinating glimpses of the velvety skin beneath, or are lit up by the soft sparkle of amethysts and pink quartz.

Who is the IMPERIALE woman? She is a tantalising balance between refinement and intricate delicacy. She is a woman who enjoys the discreet luxury of resplendent objects.

IMPERIALE radiates an aura of timeless chic embodying a subtle alliance between simplicity and majesty, at the frontier of sophistication and sensuality.

Discover the collection on www.chopard.com/imperiale.

This year, the theme drew guests into the world of iconic Motown style, taking it roots back to the 60’s, years of the legendary record label Motown. Fifty years after its successful inception, Motown Records and the artists it produced have remained a topic of conversation and inspiration in music, pop culture, academia and beyond.

During diner, a film was presented to the guests, showing our Co-President Caroline Scheufele’s recent trip in Ukraine to visit the projects of the EJAF Foundation. “It is very important that people in Ukraine are aware of what is happening to these young women and their kids, often homeless. I think now the message is sent” – declared Caroline Scheufele after the trip that moved her deeply.

This emotional moment was followed by the traditional auction inviting guests to support the Foundation through unique lots. The guests were also offered the possibility to buy one of the 12 “Superbrands hampers” featuring exclusive products. Among them, a very special Chopard watch: a Happy Sport watch made exclusively for this edition of the White Tie & Tiara Ball. In steel, it has 2 moving diamonds on the dial along with the symbol of the fight against AIDS, the bow, set with rubies.

After the auction, living legend of the Motown period Smokey Robinson took the stage for an exceptional concert! The guests were embarked in a striking show featuring Smokey’s most famous hits. He was joined by Sir Elton John to sing “My girl”.

The evening was a great success and permitted to raise over 4 Millions pounds to benefit the Elton John AIDS Foundation and the fight against AIDS.

It must not be forgotten though, the purpose of this beautiful event. 14 years ago, Chopard Co-President Caroline Scheufele met Sir Elton John during a chance encounter and their mutual love for charity work was realised. On a whim he suggested she play an active role within the foundation. This meeting marked the start of a lasting friendship and a brilliant creative relationship. The world-famous music artist and the Scheufele family, owners of Chopard, united their talents in creating the Elton John watch collection, a line reflecting the singer’s exceptional sense of style and from which a percentage of sales is donated to the Elton John AIDS Foundation (EJAF).

In addition to this collection, Chopard supports the Foundation via the White Tie & Tiara Ball and was once again deeply honoured to be joining forces with the EJAF as official partner of the 14th White Tie & Tiara Ball.

The Elton John AIDS Foundation was established in 1993. It is amongst the 10 largest AIDS grant making organisations in the world, currently managing over £23 million in programmes across 15 countries supporting thousands of men, women and children with live saving medication, as well as information, nutrition, education, shelter and support.  The White Tie & Tiara Ball is the EJAF’s foremost fundraising event, generating some £45 million since its launch in 1998. 

For more information about the charity and its work, please visit www.ejaf.com

For over 20 years, the epic “Mille Miglia” saga has been lived out both on the roads and on the wrists of devotees with a taste for watches boasting exceptional mechanical performances. As partner of this legendary classic car rally raced from Brescia to Rome and back, we present an original model to mark each new edition. Since 2011, we are infusing the legend with a feminine touch by creating models intended for sporting women, while men will just have to wait their turn.

Immaculately white and immediately recognisable thanks to its rubber strap featuring the famous 1960s Dunlop Racing tyre-tread motif, the Mille Miglia Chrono Lady is a worthy descendant of its predecessors. The collection’s signature characteristics are all present, although in a significantly more feminine mode thanks to a clever choice of colours and materials – exemplified by the mother-of-pearl dial, the pristine strap and the sparkle of the diamond-set bezel. Other details liable to appeal to feminine adventurers with dainty wrists include the slender lines of the case and its slightly smaller size (42 mm). The striking graphic contrast, created by the soft shades of the exterior and the flamboyant red of the Mille Miglia inscription and the arrow-tip of the central sweep seconds hand, sets the final touch to this dynamic and distinctive new model.

While inherently elegant, discreetly refined and extremely comfortable to wear, the Mille Miglia Chrono Lady is nonetheless a watch built for competition. It houses a COSC-certified mechanical self-winding movement with a 42-hour power reserve driving indications of the hours, minutes, date and small seconds, as well as a chronograph function with sweep seconds hand and 30-minute and 12-hour counters.

Garance Doré also shares her impressions of the Cannes experience:

What memories will you keep from this Cannes Film Festival? What were the highlights for you?

Dancing at the Trophée Chopard Party, getting to see Moonrise Kingdom with the whole cast, that was pretty amazing! And Lana Del Rey’s concert.

What looks, what trends left an impression on you during the Festival?

I genuinely loved the Chopard Animal Collection. My dreams are still populated by the dragon ring. Also, I always love the French style at Cannes. They’re able to do red carpet in a very chic and relaxed way.

Describe Cannes in a word?

Out of this world!

L.U.C Chopard Classic Weekend Rally has been held in Moscow since 2003 with the support of Chopard. Our Co-President Karl-Friedrich Scheufele travelled to Moscow to take part in the rally with his father, Karl Scheufele. On the eve of the event a dinner was held during which Karl-Friedrich Scheufele presented a special edition of the L.U.C 1937 Classic – «Moscow Classic Rally 10^th Anniversary» manufactured on the occasion of the rally’s anniversary. He also presented the L.U.C 8HF housing the first movement with a high-frequency escapement (57,600 vibrations/hour) to be chronometer-certified by the COSC.

This year, the number of participating automobiles was limited to 70. The rally-club organizing committee has established rigid criteria according to which only the most deserving candidates are approved for participation. An elaborate decoded 3-hour itinerary was worked out for the contestants. Rainy weather and heavy Moscow traffic proved to be a serious obstacle, and the struggle for the main prize turned out truly spectacular.

More than 2’000 guests greeted the arriving teams at the finish in Barvikha Luxury Village. Karl-Friedrich Scheufele took the stage to announce the results of the rally and award the winners with high-precision L.U.C Chopard chronometers.

This fertile imagination also gave birth to several perfumes such as Wish or Casmir that have become instant classics. This success naturally led to the conception of a new fragrance that was specifically designed to capture Chopard’s most romantic side. Our latest creation is a fairytale come true called Chopard Enchanted.

Mischievous, playful and elusive, the Chopard Enchanted woman holds the secret of a powerful charm. When she enters a room, she naturally becomes the centre of attention; her sense of fantasy and her joie de vivre are infectious. Unconventional and glamorous, she surprises and fascinates. Such is the power of the fragrance she wears. And when she disappears, she leaves behind a mesmerizing scent, a magical trail of diamond dust that leads to her secret world. Following this trail, one could get lost forever or find the way to true happiness forever after.

Chopard Enchanted reads like an invitation to dream with the progressive unveiling of subtle chords that compose a fantastic symphony of scents. It opens with intense, sweet and liqueur-like note of plum, which leads to the heart of soft and precious sambac jasmine. This flower is also known as Arabian jasmine and its scent is powdery with fruity nuances. The base is sensual with dominant note of patchouli, together with cashmere, adding a long and lasting aromatic scent of spice, and musk.

This unique elixir comes in a refined bottle, which carries our traditional signature: a Happy Diamonds cap holding three magical stones in a golden ring. The fragrance is available as 50 and 75 ml Eau de Parfum.

On May 16^th, a gala dinner imagined by renowned Italian Chef Carlo Cracco took place at Hotel Palazzo Arzaga, near Brescia. Among our guests were famous Spanish tenor José Carreras, legendary racer Jacky Ickx and his wife, singer Khadja Nin.

The next morning, our Co-President Karl-Friedrich Scheufele and his wife Christine Scheufele roared away to Brescia under a bright sun in a Ferrari 750 Monza followed by Karl Scheufele and Albert Carreras in a Mercedes-Benz 300 SL. As a family company, founded in 1860, Chopard has always regarded this partnership as much more than a passive commitment, and the Scheufeles have personally participated every year in the 1000-mile race from Brescia to Rome and back.

In the evening of May 17^th, 385 cars took off for the 1000 miles leading them to Rome and back to Brescia, in the presence of Sir Stirling Moss, living legend of the Mille Miglia. Formerly a speed trial from 1927 to 1957, it is now the worldwide rendezvous for devotees of collectors cars. Each year in May, several hundred aficionados come to take part in this three-day event.

This prestigious historical car competition also continues to inspire what has become a watchmaking classic. In 1988, it was Karl-Friedrich Scheufele who came up with the idea of developing a Mille Miglia chronograph. He was convinced that enthusiasts of beautiful automobiles have a natural weakness for fine timepieces and vice-versa. This year was no exception to the tradition as we unveiled the new Mille Miglia 2012.

Consistently reinvented perfection: that is exactly what we are determined to offer in annually unveiling new limited editions of the Mille Miglia collection. This prestigious historical car competition, acknowledged by connoisseurs as “la corsa più bella del mondo” (the most beautiful race in the world) continues to inspire what has become a watchmaking classic. Chopard has been associated to the event since 1988. At once sporty and elegant, the new Mille Miglia GMT Chronograph is now enriching the Chopard Classic Racing line that encompasses all watches paying tribute to the automobile world. An instrument that will more than ever prove an indispensable companion for all devotees of fine mechanisms.

Released to celebrate the Mille Miglia 2012 edition, which took place in Italy from May 17^th to May 20^th, the Mille Miglia GMT Chronograph provides peerless readability. The chronograph counters at 12 and 6 o’clock, inspired by the dashboard instruments of classic racing cars, are oversized to ensure extremely fast and comfortable read-off that is further enhanced by the white hour-marker standing out clearly against the black dial. The central sweep seconds hand is tipped with the collection’s signature red arrow.

The mechanical self-winding movement, chronometer-certified by the COSC and equipped with a stop seconds function to ensure highly accurate time-setting, also drives a useful and user-friendly dual time-zone display. A second hour hand, tipped with a white arrow, points to the 24-hour GMT indication around the black bezel forming an authentic visual extension of the dial. This exceptional watch also shows the hours, minutes, small seconds at 9 o’clock and the date through a window at 3 o’clock.

Available in steel or rose gold in two editions respectively limited to 2’012 and 250, this 42.4 mm-diameter timepiece features a satin-brushed crown guard, as well as the iconic natural rubber Dunlop Racing strap bearing the famous 1960s racing tyre-tread motif.

The technical, sporty case of this new Mille Miglia GMT Chronograph is water-resistant to 50 metres, and bears on the back the emblematic “1000 Miglia” arrow as well as a nameplate designed to carry the limited-edition inscriptions.

A few days after the end of this year’s Cannes Film Festival, Lula shares her impressions of the Cannes experience:

What are your impressions on this first Cannes Film Festival?

A mix of art and craft bejewelled in glamour and celebrated by many.

Loved the sense of being there to celebrate the work behind movies, the craftsmanship behind impeccably designed jewels, acknowledging the colourful power of celebrities, sipping bubbly champagne.

Who is the person whose elegance inspired you most during the Festival?

The Festival itself inspires elegance. Not every long gown expressed charm, but those that did are forever impressed.

Which jewellery piece left an impression on you?

What impressed me once again is the lightness of the jewels, their clever engineered design, the way each stone is set, the ironic touch to them.

The branches bracelets, in white or green or burgundy or blue where fantastic, but my heart lies with the earrings representing three vortex of pink diamonds set on rose gold.

Describe Cannes in a word?

I wouldn’t know a word, but I can pick three colours: the Blue of the sea, the White of the diamonds’ light and the Red of paparazzi-packed carpets.

Merci Chopard!

Love,

Lula

]]> http://diary.chopard.com/lulas-cannes-experience/feed 0 http://diary.chopard.com/the-red-carpet-collection-2012-in-numbers http://diary.chopard.com/the-red-carpet-collection-2012-in-numbers#comments Tue, 29 May 2012 16:17:17 +0000 Chopard http://diary.chopard.com/?p=6290 Continue reading →]]> 65 unique pieces for the 65^th Cannes Film Festival

9’000 carats of precious stones

5 months of work

35 in-house craftsmen working on it

7 in-house crafts involved (designers, wax sculptor, gold casters, casters, jewelers, gem-setters, polishers)

70’000 precious stones

13’000 working hours

Discover a selection of these unique creations on www.chopard.com/cannes

She captured intimate moments we invite you to discover. Flip through the album to enter the legendary world of Cannes.

Read more about our collaboration with Garance Doré here: http://diary.chopard.com/garance-dore-in-cannes-with-chopard

Each year since 2007, Caroline Scheufele, our Co-President and Artistic Director, has created a new High Jewellery collection composed of exceptional and unique models: the Red Carpet collection, which systematically comprises the same number of models as the editions to date of the world’s largest movie festival. It draws inspiration from the actresses who partake in the famous “mounting the steps” ritual, as well as gracing red carpets the world over.

Caroline Scheufele has been attending the Cannes Festival for 15 years. She is well acquainted with the frenzied atmosphere surrounding the mounting of the Palais des Festivals stairs, with the importance this moment holds for actresses, and with the type of jewels they dream of. “I’ve been to the Cannes Festival over 15 times, and throughout these years I’ve had the opportunity to meet many actresses and often establish strong friendships with them. It is these privileged relations with outstanding personalities that have made me wish to create original and unique models that are very different from each other, in order to ensure that each and every woman will find the adornment that will suit her to perfection for an exceptional moment”, she explains.

Caroline Scheufele has decided to create this year’s Red Carpet collection around the theme of colours: in her work as a designer, it is indeed the shimmering colours of precious stones that nurture her imagination. For this collection, she has chosen stones such as rubies, emeralds, padparadscha sapphires, amethysts and tourmalines – without forgetting diamonds “my favourite stone and an indispensable ally for women on the red carpet”.

Discover more creations from the 2012 Red Carpet collection on our Cannes dedicated website: www.chopard.com/cannes

Over the years, Cinema Against AIDS has become one of the most popular events of the Cannes Film Festival. To date, this gala created in 1993 to fund the fight against AIDS has raised over 70 million dollars. It naturally attracts the most glamorous stars on the Croisette, as well as many of the best-known names in the fields of cinema, fashion, music, business and international high society. This year, a number of luminaries including Kylie Minogue, Anja Rubik, Eva Herzigova, Clotilde Courau, Rose McGowan, Nina Dobrev, Hilaria Thomas, Lily Donaldson and Harvey Weinstein chose to attend the soirée in Chopard.

Caroline Scheufele, our Co-President, brought together two icons of the big screen world in one of the lot she created for this year’s Cinema Against AIDS auction. The first is everybody’s favourite mouse, a custom-made diamond encrusted pendant from our “Happy Mickey Collection”. The second is an intimate portrait of Marilyn Monroe by Milton H. Greene. This photograph is one of the 25 images of the star that we are exhibiting during the 2012 Cannes Film Festival.

The second lot, “Happy Kiss”, was created in partnership with L’Oréal Paris. This Color Riche lipstick, presented with a one of a kind case set with our famous Happy Diamonds, will feature a unique made-to-measure color designed and created especially for and with the winning bidder only by the L’Oréal R&D Center in Paris. This will be the first ever forever refillable lipstick, brought together in a sparkling jewellery encasing created especially by Chopard.

Chopard is fervently engaged in the ongoing struggle against AIDS and is therefore naturally proud to join amfAR for this exceptional annual event and thereby contribute to funding further research.

This presentation of photos of the star, exhibited during the 2012 edition of the Cannes Film Festival, once again testifies to Chopard’s enduring ties with the world of film-making. They were taken by fashion photographer Milton H. Greene, whose friendship with the star was legendary. 25 portraits that tell the story of the grace, the mystery and the diaphanous vulnerability of an exceptionally photogenic star with a thousand different facets. This exhibition  is on preview in the Chopard Lounge at the Hotel Martinez, throughout the Cannes Festival, before touring the world during the rest of the year.

More than anyone else, Marilyn Monroe embodies the archetype of the ultimate star. Considered one of the greatest actresses of all time, she is above all an iconic figure. Already adulated during her lifetime, her career, her personality and the fantasies that she enshrined have endowed her with a mythical dimension that has been consistently enriched over the years.

Milton H. Greene, a New York born portrait specialist and fashion photographer, worked for prestigious magazines including Life, Look, Harper’s Bazaar and Vogue. Among all the icons he immortalised, it was Marilyn Monroe who treated him to the most powerful aesthetic experience. They first met in 1953 and soon their sense of professional kinship was enriched by a profound friendship. The sensitive touch radiating from these pictures testifies to this intensely special relationship.

Marilyn once told him “You made me interesting”. Sometimes, after the official photo sessions for magazines, once the team had left the set, he took more intimate and free-spirited pictures of her. In front of the Milton H. Greene’s lens, she could give free rein to other types of emotions and images than those bound up with her public persona. She thereby enriched her repertoire and dared to reveal more intimate sides of her personality – like the photo in which the simplicity of a rumpled white sheet reveals her vulnerability and her gentleness.

The woman rather than the diva: that is exactly what Milton H. Greene was able to capture right from his first session in Marilyn in 1953, when Look magazine sent him to take the star’s portrait. After photographs in more sophisticated outfits, he presented the actress in a new light wearing a simple black coat belonging to his wife. The sense of mutual understanding between Marilyn and Milton also emerges in the choice of more surprising settings, such as the window in which the actress is portrayed as a fortune teller or the sand of Laurel Canyon near Los Angeles, where she appears more natural than ever.

The 25 unpublished photographs by Milton H. Greene were selected by The Archives, LLC, Chopard and Oscar Generale Productions from the 4,000 photographs taken by Milton H. Greene, to which his son, Joshua Greene, owns the rights.

Guests of Chopard, Official Partner of the Festival, had to engage in a genuine mystery-filled treasure hunt, ending with a “tuk-tuk” ride before reaching the secret location, perched high above Cannes. The dress code on the invitation read “Masques et Diamants”, and elegant masks and sparkling attire duly punctuated a black and gold décor.

For this occasion, Cirque du Soleil created an exclusive mystery-themed show that enraptured the audience. A number of other surprises were presented in various parts of this prestigious location. Guests could dance to the jazz tunes played by Michael Arenella & His Dreamland Orchestra and the Gypsy Queens, let L’Oréal do their make-up, get a professional photograph taken, have a clairvoyant read their tarot cards, or admire a Chopard High Jewellery show accompanied by a dance performance. An electrifying DJ set took the stage during the late-night/early-morning hours.

Numerous celebrities eagerly responded to Caroline Scheufele’s invitation, naturally masked and wearing Chopard diamonds for this soirée pervaded with a fascinating aura of mystery. Guests included Erin Wasson, Liu Wen, Caroline Sieber – all adorned in Chopard creations – along with Anja Rubik, Alec Baldwin, Sean Combs, Cassie Ventura, Michelle Rodriguez and many more…

Born of Caroline Scheufele’s passion for the 7th art, the objective of the Trophée Chopard, awarded in conjunction with Variety magazine and with the support of Cannes Festival President, Gilles Jacob, is to encourage new talent in the world of cinema by rewarding a Best Young Actor and Actress of the Year.

For this 12th event, in addition to Caroline Scheufele, the jury consisted of Steve Gaydos, Executive Editor of Variety, Michael Roskam, film producer (Bullhead), Sarah Siegel-Magness, film producer (Precious), and Sharon Lawrence, actress (Middle of Nowhere). After much thought, these professionals decided on Shailene Woodley and Ezra Miller.

Presented by Elisabeth Quinn, the ceremony also looked back on 11 years of the Trophée Chopard, accompanied by a short retrospective documentary. The two young actors accepted their prizes with gratitude and emotion. Created by Caroline Scheufele herself, and as precious to receive as to look at, the Trophée Chopard is a powerful symbol of the cinema – a strip of film roll finely crafted by the hands of the House’s master jewellers.

“The Trophée Chopard is one of my favourite events. It touches me immensely because it is a tribute to young talents and a window on the future of cinema” confesses Caroline Scheufele in an aside.

After the prize-giving, winners, members of the jury and prestigious guests congregated on the terrace of the Chopard Lounge, located on the top floor of the Hotel Martinez, for an elegant party. In this refined setting, the guests also enjoyed an exceptional and exclusive performance by the excellent Lana Del Rey in Chopard, who came specially from the United States for the occasion.

Amongst the guests invited to this evening with its “glamourous” dress code, were a large number of VIPs who responded to the invitation sent by our Co-President. Marion Cotillard, former Trophée Chopard winner and wearing Chopard, Fan Bing Bing, Paz Vega, Bérénice Béjo, Eva Herzigova, Dolores and Carmen Chaplin, all in Chopard, as well as Sean Combs and Harvey Weinstein were also on the guest list of this lively evening.

]]> http://diary.chopard.com/the-2012-trophee-chopard/feed 1 http://diary.chopard.com/ezra-miller-at-the-bar-of-the-martinez-cannes-2012 http://diary.chopard.com/ezra-miller-at-the-bar-of-the-martinez-cannes-2012#comments Fri, 18 May 2012 07:11:41 +0000 Chopard http://diary.chopard.com/?p=6012 Continue reading →]]> The Martinez Hotel during the Cannes Film Festival is so crazy.

You’ll run into Bruce Willis (three body guards push right in front of you to get on the elevator and you don’t even flinch)(not even to be on the elevator with him?), and you’ll come across Bill Murray (with an entourage of about 10 people, stripped pants AND Madras jacket), and you’ll get your car confused with Lana Del Rey’s (sublime blue dress, stops for a meet-and-greet like the good ol’ days. I love people who seem to enjoy being famous) and Michel Hazanavicius will be right there in front of you when you order a glass of whiskey (just to add to the movie star scene,you don’t even finish it) with an irresistible young actor, Ezra Miller.

A wonderful young actor, right on the cusp of fame, the perfect time to get a photo. And so handsome, right?

Everything changes so quickly, you know? I wonder how it all happens. How does celebrity change you ? How do you end up needing protection? When do you start to love it and hate it at the same time?

Yesterday, at the opening ceremony of the 65 Cannes Festival, where I had the great pleasure of being invited by Chopard (I promise I’ll try to tell you how it feels to walk
on the red carpet!!!), a very well known actress who has been a little out of the lime light came into the theater. Just magnificent. A dress with a train, and the most sublime jewelry.

As soon as she found her seat, she realized her seat wasn’t in the best spot. She made a face and I saw her make her way out of the room. She waited for the lights to get dim to go in again.

That little gesture,it isn’t at all about snobbery.

It’s just how one manages celebrity. It’s a little like fashion week, actually.

It’s not that you’ll die if you’re not in the front row, it’s just that if you’re seen in the standing section, it’s just not the right image you want to put out for your career.

For an actress, to be seated in the back of the room at the Palais des Festivals, it just isn’t a sign of a very lively career.

In the movie world, not many people know me. Nobody cares where I sit and I can just lose myself in the moment. I get to be relaxed right smack dab in the middle of all my idols (Wes Anderson, Bill Murray, Nani Moretti, no seriously!!!) who dazzle me with their work as I keep my mouth shut.

And I find that the speech of the hostess of ceremony, Berenice Béjo, who talks about noise and silence, comes at such perfect timing…

[…] The beginning of the film, for those who see it, is just a giant void. It’s a certain silence. And then the noise makes its way in. The sound of laughter, the noise of the heart.

And the sound of Cannes! The sound of journalists crying out your name. The shouts of journalists crying out your name for you to move because you’re in their shot of Catherine Deneuve… And the sound of Ferraris rolling down the street at 5mph, stuck in the Croisette. The sound of helicopters landing on yachts and the sound of me saying “hey did you see that! It’s a helicopter landing on a yacht!”

And tonight, in front of you, I tell you this one thing.

Just be quiet. Be quiet with you telling a child not to dream, that this isn’t possible!

Be quiet. Be quiet you, looking for anything wrong, you who groan wanting a movie to be more this or more that… You who make fun of those watching a movie with the bright eyes of a child.

Be quiet. Men shouldn’t cry? Quiet, you.

Be quiet. The film was a big success,you knew it already? Be quiet.

Be quiet. The films that didn’t work at all, so predictable… Be quiet.

And more than anyone, you, who answers your phone in the middle of a movie… Be quiet.

And now, I’m going to follow my own advice and let cinema speak for himself, for he will always have the last word.

Okay, I almost managed to keep quiet. After about 340 tweets (okay, 5, but that’s like 340 for me, I am kind of tweet-shy)…

But as soon as the movie started, I turned my phone off. And I forgot myself completely. I forgot about the celebrities around me, I forgot where I was, and I let myself be taken into the universe of Moonrise Kingdom…

By Garance Doré

As a tribute to the movie icon who passed away exactly 50 years ago, Caroline Scheufele has designed this extraordinary jewellery creation inspired by the star and which was worn by Eva Herzigova for the mounting of the steps ritual on the Festival opening night. Our Chopard Co-President was especially keen for this great friend of the House and contemporary glamour icon to participate in this homage.

The Marilyn Tribute set from the Red Carpet collection is composed of a necklace in 18-carat white gold set with beads diamonds (151.64 cts), heart shaped diamonds (30.72 cts) and diamonds (18.53cts). Matching earrings complete the set. 980 hours of work were required for the most important piece of our Red Carpet Collection.

Since 2002, we have been a partner of Monaco’s fabulous Grand Prix de Monaco Historique, where every two years, racing cars from the most sought-after collections go head-to-head on the Principality’s winding roads. The GPMH was created in 1998 to mark the 700^th anniversary of the Grimaldi family’s accession to the throne of the Principality representing the vintage version of the Formula 1 Grand Prix. Raced along the same route through the streets of Monaco, it is reserved exclusively for classic racing cars, making it unique in its kind.

Chopard’s involvement is another sign of our relationship with the world of classic cars and our profound respect for sporting excellence driven by passion and precision. The race is held two weeks before the Formula 1 Monaco Grand Prix. It takes place on the same legendary route, the 3.3 kilometre-long Monaco circuit, which has barely changed since its establishment on April 14, 1929.

The Grand Prix de Monaco Historique offers a retrospective of the car races held during the Golden Age of Monaco. This year 221 drivers, from 20 countries took part in race – among them some celebrities such as Nick Mason, Tony Smith, Dieter Quester and Arturo Merzario and for the first time three female pilotes, with their vehicles, all of which were legends in their time, including models by Lotus, Bugatti, Delage, Alfa Romeo, Aston Martin, Jaguar, Maserati and Ferrari, as well as Formula 1 cars built before 1979 by brands such as Brabham, Lotis and Williams. This race is undoubtedly the most popular circuit race for vintage cars that makes beat hearts faster of all fans of historic motor sport.

Karl-Friedrich Scheufele’s close friend Jacky Ickx, former Formula 1 champion, had put on his helmet and gave two special runs in a unique single-seater racing car, the “Auto Union Typ C” with its heavy engine compared to its small chassis and body which was built in 1936 and known as the Auto Union Silver Arrow, a truly motorsport legend.

Garance Doré started her blog – www.garancedore.fr – in June 2006 and since then has become one of the 10 most influent fashion bloggers in the world. Famous for her sense of style, she travels around the world to capture her favourite moments and share them with her readers.

A few days before the start of the 65^th Cannes International Film Festival, Garance Doré shares her thoughts:

What are your expectations on the eve of your second Cannes?

I want to exalt the glamorous side of Cannes. And I do not mean glitter, but the kind of moments where stars are themselves, vibrate for a movie, for an encounter, or are simply sitting at a café with the locals… Yes! I’m sure this still happens!

What places / things are you eager to find again?

I cannot wait to feel the electric atmosphere of the streets of Cannes and the cool and quiet of the Chopard terrace at the top of the Martinez. I love the contrast.

I also look forward to meeting new personalities and spending intimate moments with some actresses that I love. Seeing again the Chopard team that I love and admiring the new jewellery collections are precious moments as well.

Her most memorable moments from 2011?

My first „Montée des marches“,  what stress it was! But it’s amazing to find yourself, for an instant, at the center of the universe of cinema.

The amFAR, too, and the jewellery that I wore, sublime.

Oh, and I almost forgot. The most emotional? Running into Jean-Paul Belmondo, Jean-Pierre Marielle and Jean Rochefort in the lobby of the Martinez…

Any other topic she would like to share?

Last year, I was not present for the Trophée Chopard. I’m really excited to participate this year!

To discover Garance Doré’s pictures and comments from Cannes, follow us throughout the 65^th Cannes International Film Festival.

Lula will illustrate with her own unique touch the 65 ^th Cannes International Film Festival. “Lula, Diary of the Cannes experience” will include: celebrities on the Red Carpet, the Palme d’Or, our Co-President Caroline Scheufele…

To discover Lula’s illustrations from Cannes, follow us throughout the 65^th Cannes International Film Festival.

A passion for fine mechanics, extreme precision and rigorous standards have united the House of Chopard and the Grand Prix de Monaco Historique since 2002. This partnership has given rise to a prestigious eponymous collection dedicated to high-speed enthusiasts.

The new Chopard Grand Prix de Monaco Historique 2012 pays tribute to 1970s models. Sophisticated, ultra-light, available in titanium, titanium and rose gold, and rose gold versions, this chronograph features the aesthetic appeal and distinctive colours of historical racing cars.

The matt titanium case as well as the anthracite dial of this model are directly inspired by the historical bodywork features. This understated backdrop is lit up by bright colour accents – orange or blue according to the version – enlivening the hour-markers, the seconds hands and the stitching on the grey Barenia calfskin strap. These colours echo the graphic design characteristic of the 1970s, as do the tone-on-tone racing stripes on the dial.

Equipped with a mechanical self-winding movement chronometer-certified by the COSC, the Grand Prix de Monaco Historique 2012 model displays the hours, minutes, small seconds and the date through an aperture, naturally complemented by chronograph functions and a tachometric scale. The 42.4 mm-diameter case provides glimpses of the mechanical movement through an exhibition back engraved with the inscription “Grand Prix de Monaco Historique”, and featuring a sapphire crystal bearing the insignia of the Automobile Club de Monaco. Water-resistant to 50 metres and also issued in a special titanium and rose gold 500-piece limited edition, this watch is equipped with a strap featuring a pin buckle made of titanium – an additional nod to the quest for lightness typical of motor sports.

The California Mille began on April 30^th at 8:45am, departing from Nob Hill, San Francisco. Headed towards the Golden Gate Bridge, Rio Vista, and Walnut Grove, the drivers took highway 88 toward Sutter Creek and Lake Tahoe concluding the first day in Incline Village, Nevada.

On day two, the drivers headed toward Emerald Bay, and South Lake Tahoe, and traversed 395 toward Minden followed by a return to Incline Village by way of Carson City, Virginia City, and Mt. Rose Highway.

The Mille departed for day three northbound to Nevada City for a stroll of the historic district by way of Highway 28 to 89 and Truckee. Highway 20 then took the cars towards Marysville, Sutter and Sacramento and continued to the Silverado Trail ending Day three at Solage Calistoga.

The final leg of the 1,000-mile drive began in Calistoga and followed Highway 128 to Geyersville, over two bridges near the coast, and down the stunning coast on Highway 1 to Jenner. The coast highway then took the Mille to the Marshall-Petaluma Road, onto Hicks Valley Road, through Chileno Valley Road, into Petaluma, onto the Lakeville Highway, and straight to Solage Calistoga on Highways 116, 121 and 29.

The 22^nd annual drive concluded at Solage for the final banquet and awards dinner. Throughout the race, the drivers made pit stops that included dining at world-renowned restaurants, stays at luxurious hotels and tours of historic towns and museums.

Passionate about vintage cars, Karl-Friedrich Scheufele, Co-President of Chopard, has been playing an active part in the Classic Racing universe, giving rise to a collection of watches which represent elegance and high performance needed in both the watch and classic car race industries.

For one entire day, the salons of the Ritz Hotel on Place Vendôme were transformed into a workshop where jewellery artisans offered guests a chance to discover the specific nature of High Jewellery crafts. Designer, model-maker, wax sculptor, jeweller and gemsetter… Seven of these artisans could be seen intently exercising their art on the models in the Red Carpet 2012 collection currently in production. Among them was the collection’s flagship model, a timelessly elegant necklace paying tribute to Marilyn Monroe.

This initiative was taken by Caroline Scheufele who explains it in these terms: “The creations by our fantastic artisans take pride of place on red carpets, while they themselves remain in the background. We therefore decided to change all that by training the spotlight on our High Jewellery workshop. And what better showcase could one imagine than Place Vendôme?”

Eva Herzigova, a friend of Chopard’s, who will be wearing the jewellery creation paying tribute to Marilyn Monroe for the mounting the steps ritual at the opening ceremony of the Cannes Film Festival, along with Bérénice Béjo who plays Peppy Miller in the award-winning film The Artist and who will host the Cannes Film Festival’s opening and closing ceremonies, both gladly accepted Caroline Scheufele’s invitation and honoured these travelling workshops with their presence.

The Chopard Facebook Timeline tells a story of life and happiness, beyond that of a brand and its collections. “Haute Joaillerie does not have to be serious!”, as Caroline Scheufele recently said during an interview on the Happy Mickey collection.

From the day when Caroline Scheufele crafted her first watch out of aluminum fold when she was 11 years old to her current role as Co-President and Artistic Director of the world-renowned luxury brand; from the moment when Karl-Friedrich Scheufele knew he would follow his fathers steps to the day that the first L.U.C 1.96 movement was created, a family has been driven by a passion for remarkable high watchmaking and high jewellery.

Passion and excellence are forces that fuel each other, the same way that the personalities of the Scheufele family members complement one another.

JOIN OUR CONTEST!

To pique your curiosity and invite you to travel through our memories, participate in our contest, Moments of Passion and Excellence! From April 2 to April 9, 2012, visit our Facebook page to find the answer to the below question, and you could win a copy of the book Chopard, the Passion for Excellence – Celebrating 150 years of history.

“For the 15th time this year, Chopard will be crafting one of the most legendary trophies in the film industry, designed by our co-President, Caroline Scheufele. Can you name it?”

To enter the contest, simply post your answer in the “Leave a reply” field below.

Read the Contest Rules

The Facebook Timeline launch is an opportunity to look forward, too, and we foresee more sparkling moments of happiness, excellence and passion. Thank you for being part of them!

We have concocted a banquet of sweet delights, freely combining the most precious stones with more unusual gems to create an exquisite array of pink sapphires, amethysts, rubellites, tsavorites, tourmalines and opals. Caroline Scheufele, Chopard Co-President and Art Director, loves nothing more than to play with unusual ways of mixing and matching trends and subtle nuances.

This delicious collection of eye candy appoints pastel as the master of ceremonies, inviting luscious colours to its dessert buffet. As light as a cloud of whipped cream, the long sautoir necklaces and earrings shine in fruity raspberry, pistachio green and blackberry shades. The velvety roundness of the smooth and sparkling stones is strongly reminiscent of multi-coloured sweets.

Infused with a delectably fresh and mischievous flavour, these refined dainty delights are designed to be savoured without restraint. And because they embody the new relaxed vision of High Jewellery, women will enjoy wearing them often just for the sheer pleasure of it.

It feels so good to just succumb…

The sublime radiance of jewellery expressed as a watch? Such is the promise nestling at the heart of the unique models that emerge each year from our workshops. Creating them calls upon the finest in-house craftsmen and requires hundreds of hours of work. It all begins with human hands – the expert, patient and inventive hands of the artisans of Chopard who take turns in delicately fashioning these exceptional pieces. The flowing interaction and complementary nature of different talents is facilitated by the physical integration of over 30 crafts under one roof – a privilege that the Scheufele family cultivates with all due care through focusing on handing down know-how from generation to generation and on training. Chopard is keenly aware that the most precious of all corporate assets is human expertise.

From draughtsman to watchmaker, jeweller, gemsetter and polisher, the full range of specialists unite their skills in giving shape to the most daring dreams. High Jewellery watches vividly embody technical virtuosity dedicated to serving eminently contemporary artistry as well as traditional watchmaking techniques. Time is an essential factor in making a High Jewellery watch since each of them demands several hundred hours of work. Depending on its shape, it may house a mechanical or quartz movement. Traditionally crafted in 18-carat white gold, it is meticulously set with a refined combination of navette-, baguette- or brilliant-cut diamonds that exalt the beauty of its lines and proportions.

By clothing the dial of the new Mille Miglia in a silver livery, a new reference is added to our Racing Colours collection that evokes the colour-coded livery of cars taking part in international motor races until the late 1960s.Germanyis in the spotlight this year with the Mille Miglia GT XL Chrono Speed Silver, with other Racing Colours to follow in the near future.

The origin of Racing Colours dates back to the Gorden Bennett Cup, the famous car race launched in 1900 and pitting national teams against each other. This competition gave rise to “Vintage Blue” forFrance, “Rosso Corsa” forItaly, “British Racing Green”, “Speed Yellow” forBelgium, and finally “Speed Silver” forGermany.

The new Mille Miglia GT XL Chrono Speed Silver features a generous 44 mm-diameter polished titanium case. Its brushed silver-toned dial bears hollowed and snailed silver-toned counters and makes a stylish and refined match with the stitching on the black leather strap, while the minute numerals transferred on the inner bezel ring lend a touch of colour typical of dashboard speedometers. Its oversized 6 and 12 o’clock Arabic numerals transferred beneath the sapphire crystal lend an impressive and modern touch that enhances the technical side of the timepiece.

The aerodynamic titanium pushers, along with the tachometric scale engraved on the bezel, enhance the Mille Miglia GT XL Chrono Speed Silver’s sporting nature. The perfect overall readability is highlighted by a glare proofed sapphire crystal with built-in magnified date window at 3 o’clock. The exhibition back is fitted with a sapphire crystal providing a view of the movement proudly bearing the Speed Silver logo.

The case equipped with a screw-locked crown is water-resistant to100 metres. It houses a mechanical self-winding movement chronometer-certified by the COSC and beating at a frequency of 28,800 vibrations per hour, meaning 4 Hertz, and endowed with a 46-hour power reserve. It drives the hours, minutes, small seconds at 9 o’clock, date display at 3 o’clock and chronograph function with central sweep seconds hand, 30-minute counter at 12 o’clock and 12-hour counter at 6 o’clock. As befits its exclusive nature, the Mille Miglia GT XL Chrono Speed Silver model is issued in a 1,000-piece limited edition.

The light, playful and sparkling dance of the famous Happy Diamonds is exploring an auspicious new tempo as it chances its luck with the figure 8. Throughout history and many different cultures, 8 has always been seen as a good omen, a token of balance, completeness and prosperity: the promise of happiness tinged with an aura of infinity.

In China, the figure 8 conveys a particularly powerful symbolism: considered a lucky number, it is believed to augur well for the success of human endeavours. The Beijing Olympic Games were indeed opened on 08.08.2008 at exactly 8.08 pm! In the West, 8 is also a powerful symbol which, when shown horizontally, represents infinity, with its self-enclosed, uninterrupted lines evoking the absence of any limits.

The ideal curves, richness and power of the figure 8 have inspired us to create a collection where the infinity purity of the lines echoes that of the materials in a subtle association between diamonds and white gold. In these pendants, the spirit of Happy Diamonds is ever present through the free-spirited play of the precious gems, while the curves of the 8 find a stylistic echo in the interlacing circles. Metaphorical infinity thus becomes a dazzling embrace, guided by a universal lucky sign.

The sheer wealth and finesse of its details make the IMPERIALE collection an eminently feminine model, and its timeless chic revives the spirit and the splendour of imperial classicism. Born in the 1990s and entirely revisited in 2010, the IMPERIALE radiates an appeal stemming first and foremost from its harmonious proportions and refined details. Endowed with a powerful and symbolic character, it asserts itself as the natural choice for women impelled by an all-conquering spirit.

A wealth of details nod to the heyday of the imperial age. Roman numerals punctuate the dial and mark off the hours, while the centre features a delicately carved mother-of-pearl backdrop graced with motifs calling to mind the embroidered cushions that used to bear the royal insignia. This refined canvas is swept over by exquisitely curved hands evoking the sharp daggers used by sovereigns in combat.

A crown delicately curved like a lotus flower and set with an amethyst cabochon is fitted to a case middle with sleek sides designed to give the model a lighter and more luminous glow. The shape of the lugs echoes the tradition of ancient columns that are famed for their perfectly balanced proportions.

After several years of studies and development, the engineers and watchmakers of Chopard Technologies and the horological research division of the Chopard Group, have succeeded in perfecting a mechanical movement beating at a frequency of 8 Hz, meaning 57,600 vibrations per hour and meeting the most stringent Swiss watchmaking standards.

This L.U.C 01.06-L movement is also distinguished by the highly adaptable nature of its high-frequency escapement, since it is indeed compatible with almost all existing L.U.C movements developed by Chopard Manufacture – a major step forward that further consolidates the coherent nature of the company’s Fine Watchmaking collection.

The primary value of high frequency in watchmaking applications lies in a significant improvement in the precision timekeeping properties of a calibre, particularly in terms of rate resumption and stability. A higher number of vibrations of the balance means less sensitivity to disturbances, and Chopard’s technology breakthrough takes on its full meaning when viewed from this angle. For if the choice of high frequency implies enhanced reliability and consequently increased precision, it is quite logical that a product comprising this added value should be duly recognised by an official certification.

In addition to ensuring greater reliability, high frequency – which naturally requires more energy – is in this instance associated with a remarkable 60-hour power reserve generated by a single barrel. In terms of materials, the engineers at Chopard Technologies decided to work with silicon for certain escapement components (impulse-pin, lever, escape wheel) and developed a new means of fixing silicon on steel (patent pending).

Entirely in keeping with the futuristic movement housed within, the 42 mm-diameter case of the L.U.C 8HF model is made of titanium. It is water-resistant to 30 metres and distinguished by its crown at 4 o’clock, also in titanium and bearing the L.U.C logo. The date appears in a pointer-type display at 5.30, while the red small seconds hand at 6 o’clock travels far more smoothly than on ordinary watches thanks to the high-frequency escapement and its 57,600 vibrations per hour. The resolutely avant-garde case features titanium monobloc lugs and caseback with a matte finish. A magnifying glass built into the half-closed case-back is positioned just above the high-frequency escapement, providing a chance to appreciate its finer details.

The L.U.C 8HF model is teamed with a hand-sewn matte black alligator leather strap with a cognac-coloured alligator lining, fitted with a titanium pin buckle. It is issued in a first 100-piece limited series equipped with the high-frequency experimental L.U.C 01-06-L movement.

It already caused a sensation at the time of its launch in 2005. While losing nothing of its mechanical excellence, the L.U.C Lunar One has undergone a transformation that ranks it among the great classics of Swiss Haute Horlogerie. The voluptuously rounded 43 mm-diameter case in 18-carat rose gold embraces the new curves of the L.U.C collection. The polished and satin-brushed lugs have been entirely redesigned to ensure enhanced comfort and perfect stylistic equilibrium. The crown, engraved with the L.U.C logo, is slender while remaining perfectly ergonomic. The case-back with its generous glareproofed sapphire crystal central opening is engraved with the inscriptions “Chopard Manufacture”, “Lunar One” and “L.U.C”.

To underscore the exceptional technical qualities of this major complication, the dial – silver-toned and satin-brushed to focus the light on the L.U.Chopard legend – reveals subtle refined touches dedicated to enhancing readability. In addition to the personalised gold-toned “Dauphine” style hands, the hours are now displayed as Roman numerals – 1960s inspired delicate golden appliques – framed by a railtrack graduation of a black transferred type similar to the three subdials indicating the small seconds, month and day of the week.

This refined style is matched by a peerless movement. Chronometer-certified by the COSC and stamped with the Poinçon de Genève quality hallmark, the mechanical self-winding L.U.C 96.13-L calibre housed within the L.U.C Lunar One model is endowed with an approximately 70-hour power reserve. It drives the hours, minutes, small seconds at 6 o’clock, a perpetual calendar with large twin-aperture date display at 12 o’clock, days of the week and 24-hour indication at 9 o’clock, as well as months and leap years at 3 o’clock.

The moon phases are displayed with great precision and in an unusual manner, since they rotate around the small seconds axis, hence the name “orbital”. Their degree of precision is such that the difference between two lunar cycles amounts to a mere 57.2 seconds, meaning one day in 122 years! Only the most reputed watch manufacturers are able to offer such sophisticated horological complications.

The L.U.C Lunar One is designed to match the evolution in the criteria governing the granting of the Poinçon de Genève hallmark, which as of 2012 no longer merely set the seal of approval on the craftsmanship of the movement alone, but now on that of the watch as a whole. Water-resistant to 50 metres, it is fitted with a new semi-matt or matt black hand-sewn alligator leather strap featuring a cognac-coloured alligator leather lining and secured by an 18-carat rose gold pin buckle.

Beware of outward appearances. The Happy Sport Chrono Mistery Pink conceals a burning fire beneath its sombre exterior. Like a blackberry bursting in the mouth and releasing a delicious tangy taste, it reveals its underlying feminine side in subtly glamorous touches that add a hint of coquetry and charm to this all-black watch. While the alligator leather strap glows with jet black radiance, the stitching is pink and the underside is an intense fuchsia shade; and among the moving diamonds enlivening the dial of this chronograph are two pink sapphires performing a colourful dance. A sapphire in the same hue adorns the crown and lends a warm glow to the powerful 42 mm black ceramic and DLC (Diamond Like Carbon) steel case.

A blend of technical sophistication and refined elegance characterizes the ultra-thin L.U.C Calibre 96.17-S. This self-winding calibre beating at a frequency of 28,800 vibrations per hour (4Hz), boasts a 65-hour power reserve thanks to the Twin® technology, a Chopard-patented system combining two coaxial barrels and representing a truly remarkable technical feat in light of the extreme slenderness of the 3.3 mm-thick movement. Its mainplate adorned with Côtes de Genève on the dial side, as well as its bridges, are meticulously openworked to reveal its inner workings. The latter are rhodium-plated black and create a contrast that cleverly highlights the gilded gear wheels visible both on the dial side and through the back.

The nickel-plated sunburst satin-brushed dial forming a ring between the case and the heart of the watch enables clear readability of the time. The unexpected two-tone effect it creates with the 18-carat rose gold case adds considerable strength of character to this model that derives unique elegance from this distinctive design feature. Two gilded Dauphine-type hands and the inscription L.U.Chopard on the glareproofed sapphire crystal further enhance the refined appearance of this 39.5 mm-diameter ultra-thin watch.

The L.U.C XP Skeletec watch – issued in a 288-piece limited series – comes on an alligator leather strap with an 18-carat rose gold pin buckle.

Everything about the design of the Classic Manufacture reflects the delightful classicism of the Belle Époque — the porcelain-type dial provides a perfect setting for the shiny black Roman numerals, the small seconds subdial at 6 o’clock features a ‘railtrack’ graduation typical of the pocket-watches of the era, and the slender gold-toned hands set the finishing touch to the perfectly harmonious overall effect.

As for the contemporary element, this timepiece is equipped with the Chopard Calibre 01.04-C, a new mechanical self-winding movement.

The exquisite movement – entirely created by Fleurier Ebauches, the Chopard Group unit producing industrial movements not destined for the L.U.C Haute Horlogerie collection – drives the hour and minute hands, along with small seconds and a date display at 3 o’clock. Beating at a frequency of 28,800 vibrations per hour, it guarantees a generous 60-hour power reserve.

Following certain models of the Chopard 2011 IMPERIALE collection being equipped with this movement, this is the first timepiece in the Classic collection to receive an ‘in-house’ movement. As such, the Classic Manufacture heralds in a new collection at Chopard.

With its refined exterior available in 18-carat rose, white or yellow gold, the beautifully rounded 38mm-diameter case features an 18-carat gold crown and an exhibition back, and is fitted with a matt black alligator leather strap with an 18-carat gold pin buckle.

Like a noble fragment of history that has found its way unscathed through time, the Classic Manufacture is a link between the prestigious pocket-watches that forged the reputation of brand founder Louis-Ulysse Chopard and modern-day wristwatches.

Follow us on our new blog to discover our exclusive creations presented at BASELWORLD from March 8 to March 15, 2012.

For this unique piece, it was clear the intention was not to define this creation as a watch or jewellery. Rather, we chose to combine the two skills on which we have built our reputation.

The breathtaking gem-setting work is a masterful demonstration of jewellery-making skills, while the L.U.C 02-14-L movement – entirely designed, developed and crafted by hand – is equipped with a tourbillon, one of the finest complications of watchmaking. The overall result is a blend of Haute Joaillerie and Haute Horlogerie that truly sets a new standard for complicated feminine watches.

Bearing the Poinçon de Genève quality hallmark, the chronometer-certified tourbillon calibre of the IMPERIALE Tourbillon Joaillerie is housed within an 18-carat case and dial entirely set with diamonds and demonstrating almost the entire range of our artisans’ commanding gem-setting techniques.

The snow setting technique requires combining in the center dial brilliant-cut diamonds of a variety of diameters. In addition, the crown is adorned with baguette- and briolette-cut diamonds and a power-reserve indicator set an amethysts array, while oval-cut cabochons and baguette-cut diamonds grace the bezel, lugs and bracelet.

Finally, at 6 o’clock, surrounded by amethysts set amid white lights, the tourbillon bridge reflects the distinctive motif of the IMPERIALE collection and is held in place by four amethyst-set screws.

The hand-wound L.U.C 02.14-L calibre is equipped with four stacked and series-coupled barrels. This patented Quattro® technology ensures over nine 9 days of operating autonomy as well as a constant regularity of rate. In addition, this unique model meets all the standards required to earn the chronometer certificate awarded by the Swiss Official Chronometer Testing Institute (COSC).

Uggie’s Academy Award bow tie, hand-crafted of 18kt yellow gold and satin, bearing Uggie’s name, will be auctioned off and all proceeds of will be donated to The Amanda Foundation, a nonprofit organization that rescues dogs and cats.

Caroline Scheufele, who has a passion for cinema and a personal affection for dogs, having seven of her own, says: “I was completely charmed by Uggie’s role in The Artist. Knowing that Uggie is a rescue dog, it inspired me to create a unique piece to benefit an important cause”.

This year, the exclusive private gala hosted by Sir Elton John and David Furnish took place on Sunday, February 26 at West Hollywood Park in Los Angeles. Auction items included a limited edition diamond Elton John watch by Chopard, which was sold twice. The world-famous Artist and the Scheufele family united their talents in creating the Elton John watch collection, a line reflecting the singer’s exceptional sense of style and from which a percentage of sales is donated to the Elton John AIDS Foundation. We are honoured to contribute to this worthy cause every year.

For full contact information, please refer to our store locator.

Explore the above photo album to discover her picks!

- Picture 1: Happy Hearts earrings in rose gold set with diamonds, Happy Hearts ring in rose gold set with diamonds.

- Picture 2: Imperiale watch set with an amethyst on a pink alligator strap, Ice Cube ring in yellow gold set with diamonds, Happy Diamonds ring in yellow gold set with one mobile diamond.

- Picture 3: Cuff bracelet set with diamonds on titanium from the Red Carpet collection, necklace set with pear-cut rubellites, diamonds, round and pear-cut amethysts and oval-cut emeralds on white gold from the Temptations collection.

- Picture 4: Necklace and bracelet in rose gold set with mobile diamonds from the Happy Mickey collection.

- Picture 5: Happy Mickey Steel 28mm watch. Mother of pearl dial with two mobile yellow sapphires, two mobile rubies and one mobile black diamond, crown set with a yellow sapphire, Happy Mickey pendant in rose gold.

Alexa was also with us at the 64th Cannes International Film Festival shared her visual diary.

The exclusive gala dinner at Cipriani Wall Street was hosted by Sarah Jessica Parker and celebrated honorees Roberto Cavalli, Caroline Scheufele, and Goldman Sachs Gives. Elizabeth Hurley and Karolina Kurkova were some of the guests who sparkled in Chopard.

The evening paid homage to amfAR’s late Founding International Chairman, Dame Elizabeth Taylor with a video tribute and special performance by opera singer Michelle Johnson, who sparkled in Chopard. After dinner, guests enjoyed a live auction followed by performances by Theophilus London, Janelle Monáe and DJ Michaelangelo.

The very determination that has allowed Scheufele to propel the 150-year-old company to the forefront of the Haute Joaillerie arena and the world’s most glamorous red carpet events makes her a devoted philanthropist. For many years, Scheufele and her family have leveraged Chopard’s reputation to help charitable causes.

These creations are exquisitely delicate by nature, while incorporating our signature features such as the famous Happy Diamonds. The jewellery models are crafted exclusively in polished or diamond-set rose gold and white gold. The brilliant-pavé models are further enhanced by fine gemstones such as onyx and tourmaline – depending on the gold colour – forming the nose and eyes of the bear cub motif.

The result is a range of exceptional jewellery designed for everyday wear in order to make each day exceptional – an approach that aptly sums up the Chopard philosophy. The bear cubs are entirely in line with this wish to fulfill the desires of today’s woman. Their refined design is suitable to all circumstances and makes them genuine fashion accessories that are also attuned to the environment and a to contemporary theme.

The Animal World Bears jewellery is exclusively sold in Chopard Boutiques.

Explore the above photo album to discover exquisite creations!

- Picture 1: The pure, contemporary design of the Chopardissimo collection draws into the enchanting Chopard universe. Chopardissimo pendants in yellow, white and rose gold.

- Picture 2: A romantic variation on the famous Happy Sport line, the new interpretation of the Happy Heart model is an anthem to passion and the epitome of luxury and casual charm. The diamond and sapphire hearts dancing across the backdrop of the model form a powerful weapon of seduction, as are the silky purple satin strap and the white mother-of-pearl dial.

- Picture 3: The heart embodies a two-fold declaration: a token of a man’s feelings for his beloved, as well as a sign of Chopard’s enduring love for women. These jewel-like sunglasses are in tune with the 1960s vintage trend that has been worked by numerous great fashion designers for the Spring/Summer 2012 collections. Our eyewear models are authentic instruments of charm, lending the woman who wears them an aura of mystery.

- Picture 4: Like love, this Haute Joaillerie ring from the Temptations collection strikes like a bolt of lightning. The dazzling fire of the purple Paraïba tourmaline enhanced by white diamonds is truly mesmerising. This creation admirably reflects the signature meticulous craftsmanship lavished on its 18-carat rose gold setting that is micro-set with diamonds, a technique mastered to perfection by our gem setting artisans. Gold and diamonds gently embrace the centre stone, evoking the entwined arms of a couple in love.

Your own heart, the ultimate messenger of love, is also featured. Our Love Note tool allows you to send your words of love to the precious person in your life. Let your heart do the writing… When love is the message, no one says it like you!

Discover our complete selection of fabulous presents online or in Chopard Boutiques around the world.

Together, these distinguished certifications provide assurance of superior quality, precision and reliability never before seen.

The COSC is the only neutral body able to grant the title of ‘chronometer.’ To earn certification, a movement must be built with utmost care and precision, as well as endure 15 days of tests conducted in five different positions and at three different temperatures.

The historic Poinçon de Genève quality hallmark – of which only a very limited number of brands are worthy to claim membership – requires strict compliance with 12 exacting criteria, ranging from the integrity of the materials, the craftsmanship of components, as well as movement construction and assembly.

The Fleurier Quality Foundation certification, undoubtedly the most difficult to obtain, subjects the timepiece to the unparalleled Chronofiable testing procedure. The 21-day Fleurier procedure, which incorporates the COSC tests, evaluates long-term resilience by simulating six-months wear through strains such as impact, wrist movement, and variations in humidity.

The 43mm diameter 18-carat rose gold case embraces the new curved shape of the L.U.C collection. The polished and satin-brushed lugs have been entirely redesigned, ensuring enhanced comfort and perfect aesthetic balance. The crown, engraved with the L.U.C logo, is slimmer while remaining attractively ergonomic.

With the greatest importance placed on readability, the dial features refined silver-toned and grained detail designed to catch the light — a sublime contrast to the rhodiumed black hands personalized in the ‘Dauphine’ style. The hours are marked by delicately applied 1960s-inspired black rhodiumed Roman numerals and topped by a minute track.

The remarkable exterior encases the hand-wound Chopard Manufacture L.U.C Calibre 02-13-L (L.U.C 1.02QF), a movement fitted with four stacked and series-coupled barrels: the Chopard’s patented Quattro® technology that ensures nine full days of operating autonomy.
While the L.U.C Triple Certification Tourbillon is a first in terms of the combined level of official recognition, none of the individual certifications are new to Chopard.

All L.U.C models are certified by the COSC (apart from the L.U.C XP), and many of L.U.C movements also carry the Poinçon de Genève quality hallmark for years now. In regards to the Fleurier Quality Foundation, Chopard was one of its founding brands.

BASELWORLD 2011

This year, BASELWORLD saw the launch of the IMPERIALE two-tone watch, refined and timeless timepiece for the elegant woman.

MILLE MIGLIA

Chopard has been a partner of the Mille Miglia since 1988 and this year we decided to invite you to take a closer look at the legendary race, through the pictures and words of our guest blogger Brian from Materialiste and through a contest to win the racy Mille Miglia GT XL Power Control watch!

64th CANNES FILM FESTIVAL & 10th ANNIVERSARY OF THE TROPHEE CHOPARD

The Chopard Trophy celebrated its 10th anniversary this year and was awarded to Astrid Bergès-Frisbey and Niels Schneider, by our godfather Robert de Niro. As official partner of the Cannes Film Festival since 1998, we have created this prize for young talents, further stating our passion for the art of cinema. We also manufacture every year the famous Palme d’Or.

For this 64th edition of the Festical, we invited Garance Doré and Alexa Chung to share their beautiful images as insiders at the Festival.

THE WHITE TIE & TIARA BALL

For the 13th consecutive year, Sir Elton John and David Furnish opened the doors of their splendid Old Windsor home for the legendary White Tie & Tiara Ball to benefit the Elton John AIDS Foundation, organised in partnership with Chopard.

THE HAPPY MICKEY COLLECTION

Our love for cinema also translated into the creation of the Happy Mickey Collection, with playful timepieces and jewellery celebrating the iconic film star, Mickey Mouse.

THE HAPPY DIAMONDS COLLECTION AND HAPPY MOMENTS CAMPAIGN

The new Happy Moments campaign highlighted our iconic jewellery collection, Happy Diamonds. The pieces are dedicated to the independent woman who embraces life with open arms and maintains a playful spirit in all areas of her life. Diamonds are a girl’s best friend!

125th ANNIVERSARY OF THE POINCON DE GENEVE

We were honoured to celebrate the 125th anniversary of the Poinçon de Genève and launched a limited-edition timepiece for the occasion, the L.U.C XPS Poinçon de Genève.

Follow us in 2012 for more Haute Horlogerie and Haute Joaillerie news!

In 2012, we are looking forward to further sharing our passion and expertise for Haute Horlogerie and Haute Joaillerie.

Read on to discover stories from our community!

LOVE
“I was proposed to on Christmas Day on a cruise ship! My fiancé offered me a heart-shaped Chopard Happy Diamonds ring as the engagement ring. It’s my favourite ring ever from a fabulous man, my husband!”
by Anita

DISCOVERING THE WORLD
“My best Christmas vacation was when I travelled across the globe to visit Tasmania. After a few hours by plane from the Australian mainland and a one-hour drive by car, we arrived at the hotel and were seduced by the breath-taking view, the traveller’s most precious reward. The next day, we walked along the natural curves of the Freycinet Peninsula under the sun. Each turn revealed a new landscape: forest, beach, savanna, and even two friendly walibis (kangaroo-like marsupials) that let us approach them. Nature is a jewel.”
by Julie

FAMILY
“My best holiday souvenir is the first time that I went back home during my first year of study abroad. As much as I loved my college friends, it felt so great to be back in the family house, filled with joyful laughs, with cheesy music in the background and yummy smell coming from the kitchen. Sometimes the simplest small pleasures are the most precious.”
by Mark

CULTURE
“When I was 17 I travelled to Europe for the first time for Christmas vacations with my boyfriend. We went to France, Germany, the Netherlands and Belgium. This first trip to the old continent allowed me to ‘feel’ the history that had until then been in books and movies only. We visited museums, galleries, shops, and I really fell in love with Paris, its charming streets, its culture, its juxtaposition of contemporary and ancient culture.”
by Ariane

The red carpet led guests from the Boutique to the Hotel de Russie, where the dinner took place in a marvellous garden. The festive shoes created by Zanotti in collaboration with Chopard, unveiled on the red carpet in Cannes last May, were displayed in the garden, as if waiting for the next Cinderella. To further recreate the setting of a film, the beautiful evening light, and the jewels reflecting it, created special effects as the guests walked from the hotel to the boutique.

Introduced to celebrate the 60th Cannes Film Festival in 2007, the Red Carpet collection has become a tradition. Caroline Gruosi-Scheufele, Chopard Co-President and Artistic Director, was inspired by the actresses to create this Haute Joaillerie collection. The luxurious pieces are designed to perfectly express the stars’ personality and beauty as they walk the famous red carpet. Chopard had been a partner of the Cannes International Film Festival since 1998 and has designed and manufactured the sought-after Palme d’Or since then.

For more information on the Red Carpet Collection, please contact us.

For him, a watch is a timeless, universal gift. The sophistication and excellence of our timepieces is sure to please. Some chronographs have the technical nature and appearance of a racing car, such as the Mille Miglia GT XL Chrono Rosso Corsa, the Jacky Ickx Edition V and the Mille Miglia Chronograph. Others exude discreet confidence and elegance: L.U.C Chrono One, L.U.C XP Tonneau or L.U.C 1937 Classic.

Also for him, a selection of accessories to convey the Chopard tradition of elegant luxury: cufflinks reinterpreting the famous Dunlop Racing tyre-tread from the 1960′s, the Mille Miglia table clock to keep the racing spirit alive even when staying still, a sleek card holder from the Chopard leather gentlemen collection…

For her, our beautiful watches are designed to appeal to the most sophisticated women. The IMPERIALE collection presents timepieces that subtly unite simplicity, majesty and sensuality. The IMPERIALE alarm clock, iPhone case and handbag will also make her eyes sparkle. From Happy Diamonds, the Happy Sport Watch, the pretty heart-shaped Very Chopard Earrings or the brilliant Happy Spirit Pendant embody the free spirit of unset diamonds. Finally, the contemporary design and luxurious materials of the Chopardissimo ring and pendant present a gem-set or polished Chopard logo.

Explore the complete selection on A Season of Gifts or visit your Chopard boutique for personalized advice. We have also prepared a little holiday treat for you, available tomorrow on our Facebook page. We wish you splendid end of year celebrations, filled with happy moments with your loved ones!

Building on its mastery of the art of jewellery making and leaving conventions aside, Chopard presents a mouth-watering ‘buffet’ of precious sweet treats. The rings, earrings and necklaces are crafted in sovereign precious stones, and other gems also sparkle and shine: rubellites, kunzites, tsavorites, amethysts and Paraiba tourmalines complement diamonds, emeralds and sapphires.

Defying the generally sober style of the winter months, colour is the star of the collection. The pear shape appears in various guises such as a dewdrop, a sun-ripened fruit or a petal. Giving free rein to the imagination, it can be interpreted as a twist on the tale of the forbidden fruit.

The Chopard Temptations collection embodies a new conception of relaxed and casual luxury: Haute Joaillerie creations that you love to wear for the sheer pleasure of this unique epicurean experience. “The only way to get rid of temptation is to yield to it”, said Oscar Wilde.

The Temptations collection is sold exclusively at Chopard boutiques around the world.

The major change to the requirements of the quality hallmark is that the entire watch will now be certified. This important evolution reinforces the value of the Poinçon de Genève for both clients and watchmakers. It is the result of a thorough review by the technical commission, bringing together a multidisciplinary team of experts from the watchmaking industry, the Ecole d’horlogerie de Genève and the TIMELAB Foundation. The commission focused on the client’s desire for exceptional products and indisputable quality to establish the new criteria. The revised Poinçon de Genève law will come into force in June 2012 and members will be granted a delay to adapt their manufacturing process.

We are proud to be part of this celebration and to evolve alongside this prestigious hallmark. The L.U.C XPS Poinçon de Genève 125th Anniversary Edition was created in honour of the quality seal, to showcase Genevan watchmaking expertise and passion.

After the screening, adults and kids discovered the collection of watches and jewellery, beautifully displayed among Mickey Mouse archive prints and figurines in the private rooms of the Royal Monceau Hotel. Chocolate fountains, pop corn and a giant Mickey Mouse-shaped buffet by Pierre Hermé were served. Youngsters enjoyed Mickey-themed activities, including a Princess for the make-up atelier, a magician and a Disney Studio artist who taught the secrets of sketching Mickey Mouse.

We have been official partner of the Cannes Film Festival for numerous years and our close ties with the world of cinema are materialized in this first ever collaboration with Disney. The Happy Mickey Collection offers fresh and colourful creations such as necklaces, pendants, earrings, bracelets and the iconic Happy Sport watches crafted in white or rose gold. The pieces humorously and subtly emphasise Mickey’s most singular characteristics. The collection is available exclusively at Chopard Boutiques around the world.

The stunning 18-carat rose gold timepiece features a chocolate-toned dial with satin-brushed motif. The watch houses the L.U.C 96.01-L (L.U.C 1.96) movement bearing the celebrated certification. This exceptional calibre is also chronometer-certified by the Swiss Official Chronometer Testing Institute and clearly visible through the transparent case-back.

The L.U.C collection embodies the excellence of our savoir-faire, a perfect blend of innovation and tradition, of technique and art. Manual craftsmanship renders each watch unique: fewer than 5’000 L.U.C watches are born at the Chopard Manufacture each year.

The Poinçon de Genève quality hallmark is an all-in-one guarantee of origin, craftsmanship and durability. A watch is only eligible if its movement is assembled and adjusted in Canton Geneva, if it is numbered, and if it meets the craftsmanship criteria established by the Technical Committee. These criteria will be updated in 2012 to further represent contemporary Genevan high watchmaking.

We invite you to visit our dedicated website for the complete technical specifications of the L.U.C XPS Poinçon de Genève 125th Anniversary Edition and more information about the L.U.C collection and the Poinçon de Genève.

The Award trophy is a tree crafted in aluminium, held between two glass-plates, fixed in a partially transparent base, presented in an elegant pear wood case. Through its roots firmly planted in the ground and its branches reaching towards the sky, the tree symbolises stability, the link between past and future and the continuity of generations. It illustrates the family business spirit, which draws its strength from tradition in order to move towards the future.

Chopard celebrated its 150^th anniversary last year and is one of the few family businesses in the watch and jewellery industry. Owned by the Scheufele family, Chopard traces its history back several generations. Caroline Scheufele and her brother Karl-Friedrich Scheufele are the company’s current Co-Presidents, their father Karl serving as chairman of the Chopard Group. He and his wife Karin are still active in the company. The Scheufele family and Chopard continue to build on key values such as tradition and quality, while focusing on innovation, creativity and great flexibility.

Located in the Bahrain Moda Mall, the 130-square meter boutique boasts an upper V.I.P floor. The space is reminiscent of a beautiful home and blends Chopard’s century-old family tradition and high-tech creations. White oak and fine leather cover the wall panels; store fixtures and furniture fronts evoke luxury and warmth. Luscious velvet on the curtains and upholstery of chairs brings a sense of opulence, beautifully complemented by the marble fireplace. Renewable woods are used under this Boutique concept to limit the destruction of trees.

Introduced at the end of 2007 with the opening of a flagship store on Madison Avenue in New York, the concept reinterprets the design codes in a contemporary style. Master architect and designer Thierry W. Despont has contributed to landmark architectural projects: he was Associate Architect for the Centennial Restoration of the Statue of Liberty, designed the Decorative Arts galleries of the new J. Paul Getty Museum in Los Angeles, as well as the renovation of Claridge’s hotel in London. Mr. Despont’s Boutique concept is the perfect setting to view Chopard’s collections, now and in the years to come. His fresh approach is true to Chopard’s DNA and history while remaining innovative.

After a period of refurbishing the Chopard Boutique Vienna has now also been adapted to the new architectural concept by Thierry W. Despont. On October 13^th 2011, José Carreras was inaugurating the new styled Chopard Boutique in the Viennese city center together with the Scheufele family while the famous Viennese boys choir was performing.

More information available about the Chopard Boutique in Vienna.

Dedicated to the woman who is happy to be independent, the Happy Diamonds campaign invites you to be part of the universe of happiness by creating and sharing your most joyful moments. Chopard’s very first application on Facebook and for iPhone, iPad and Android allows you not only to explore the finest details of the trendy watches and jewellery collection, but also to seize the most cherished moments of your life and to share them with the Chopard community. The experience is completed with a film as well as multi-channel off and online activities.

The Happy Diamonds jewellery and timepieces are an iconic collection of Chopard. They have been lighting the sparkle in women’s eyes and hearts since their creation. This latest collection presents soft, sophisticated shapes and lines that are complemented by the carefree movement of brilliant diamonds. The simple yet bold pendants, necklaces, rings, earrings, charm bracelets and watches in white, yellow and rose gold simultaneously emit a natural glow and a cheeky sparkle that mimic the unique allure of a confident, dynamic and modern woman. In addition to more whimsical symbols and animal shapes, circles and hearts figure prominently in the collection, often melding themselves into a lively expression of feminine refinement.

The Happy Diamonds collection and campaign represent an effervescent articulation of the independent woman who embraces life with open arms and maintains a playful spirit in all areas of her life.

Discover the full collection on www.chopard.com/happydiamonds

Chopard, known for its close links with the world of cinema and being an official partner of the Cannes Film Festival, hosted a truly magical event at the legendary cinema on Portobello Road, London. Caroline Scheufele, a passionate cinema enthusiast, was proud to introduce this new collection featuring one of the most iconic characters – Mickey Mouse!!

Guests, who included parents and their kids, enjoyed a special Disney animation screening of Mickey Mouse vintage black and white cartoon shorts in the cinema, to re-discover the legend of the renowned mouse. Among them were: Alexa Chung, Eva Herzigova and her son George, Camilla Rutherford, Donna Air and Jemma Kidd.

After the screening, adults and kids discovered the collection of watches and jewellery, beautifully displayed among Mickey Mouse archives prints and figurines in the private rooms of the Electric Club. Champagne and cupcakes were served, while children enjoyed milkshakes and a giant brownie cake in the shape of Mickey Mouse. Youngsters enjoyed Mickey-themed activities, among which was an artist from the Disney Studio who taught the secrets of sketching Mickey Mouse.

The Happy Mickey Collection offers a broad range of fresh and colourful creations such as necklaces, pendants, earrings, bracelets and the iconic Happy Sport watches crafted in white or rose gold. The extremely varied jewellery models humorously and subtly emphasise Mickey’s most singular characteristics. This range is available exclusively in Chopard Boutiques around the world.

A passionate cinema enthusiast, an official partner of the Cannes Film Festival, and a revealer of youthful talents, Chopard has for many years been acknowledged as the jeweller of stars and of the movie world. The latest “guest star” in this ongoing romance is another film icon, albeit this time a fictional one. Although unprecedented, this close encounter is certainly no coincidence. Disney is a historical symbol in the film industry, and its “mascot” figure brings back countless pleasurable childhood memories and has exactly what it takes to appeal to Chopard. The intrepid mouse and the daring jewellery company share the same joie de vivre, the same dynamic attitude and the same resolutely independent spirit.

The Happy Mickey Collection offers a broad range of fresh and colourful creations crafted in white or rose gold: long necklaces, pendants, necklaces, bracelets, earrings… and of course Happy Sport watches, as Chopard enriches the longstanding tradition of timepieces bearing the effigy of the legendary mouse. Whether through explicit references or discreet nods to the inimitably vivacious character, the extremely varied jewellery models humorously and subtly emphasise Mickey’s most singular characteristics: his broad smile, twinkling eyes, or simply his unique and instantly recognisable round ears.

Chopard’s designers, jewellery craftsmen and gemsetters give free rein to their talent in capturing the personality of the friendly mouse, while lending him a stylish touch of trendy chic. Enlivened by the presence of diamonds and moving coloured precious stones, the inimitable black and white silhouette sparkles with a blend of elegance and carefree cheerfulness. Disney aficionados are bound to appreciate the result, as too will devotees of retro-vintage fashion and casual luxury.

The Happy Mickey Collection is exclusively sold in Chopard Boutiques and Corners. Discover the full collection on www.chopard.com/happymickey

Our in-house customer service team would be pleased to welcome you and present the latest collections and Boutique exclusivities. Full coordinates available on Chopard’s Store Locator: http://www.chopard.com/#/en/pages/storelocator

Caroline Scheufele and her brother Karl-Friedrich Scheufele, Co-Presidents of Chopard, both feel it is the duty of any major company to promote a cause as vital as that defended by WWF through both daily activities and punctual actions. The involvement in environment and biodiversity conservation projects is Chopard’s contribution to building a future where humans can live in harmony with nature.

Mila is a young Indonesian woman who learnt about the plight of the tigers at an early age and dreamt about doing something about it. After graduating, she joined WWF as a tiger conservationist. Mila heads a Tiger Research Team who work in central Sumatra, Indonesia, setting up camera traps which photograph or film tigers. This material is used to help calculate the number of tigers and their movement patterns, gathering data that aids in conservation management.

More information about WWF’s initiative on http://www.panda.org/tigers

For this special occasion Chopard has created a special limited edition watch the “Haciendas Classic Chopard Rally” chronograph.

On this special occasion, Chopard has designed a special black and yellow-toned version of the now famous L.U.C Engine One Tourbillon. A unique piece, the Only Watch L.U.C Engine One Tourbillon is powered by an exceptional “motor”, proprietary L.U.C Calibre 1TRM. Machined like an engine block and mounted on silent-blocks, this mechanical hand-wound tourbillon movement was designed, developed and produced at Chopard Manufacture. It has distinctive character, undeniable power and represents a deliberate break with traditional watch design principles.

From its strong lines to the most subtle details, everything about this powerful timepiece honours the automobile traditions. The L.U.C Engine One Tourbillon model houses a proprietary mechanical hand-wound tourbillon movement, L.U.C Calibre 1TRM. In much the same way as a car engine, this movement is mounted on silent blocks – that absorb shocks – and held by three lever arms inserted into the case middle. This L.U.C Calibre 1TRM designed, developed and produced by Chopard Manufacture beats at a cadence of 28,800 vibrations per hour and boasts a 60-hour power reserve. Chronometer-certified by the COSC, a sure token of reliability and precision, this tourbillon movement drives displays of the hours, minutes, seconds and the power reserve.

In keeping with automobile traditions, the reamed engine block bears the Chopard signature; while a circular segment directly fixed to the upper face of the movement   carries the power-reserve display at 12 o’clock positioned opposite the tourbillon bridge at 6 o’clock featuring a design that is a first for Chopard.

Representing a magnificent mechanical feat of engineering, the L.U.C Engine One Tourbillon Only Watch is distinguished not only by its high-end motorisation, but also by its bodywork that endows it with an inimitably sophisticated style. The DLC titanium case is water-resistant to 50 metres and features alternating polished and matt finishes; it also carries slightly curved lugs screwed onto the case that enhance the overall dynamic effect. Streamlined like car wings, these lugs ensure excellent wearer comfort and a perfect fit on the wrist for the opulent 35.4 x 44.4 mm case whose side is engraved with the “Only Watch 2011” mention.

The dial is also inspired by the automobile world and plays on the theme of transparency. The new Arabic numerals characteristic of the L.U.C collection and the hour-markers are engraved and yellow-tinted beneath the glare-resistant sapphire crystal. The hand-sewn black alligator leather strap setting the perfect finishing touch to this model is enhanced by four reinforced inserts evoking the seats of classic racing cars.

More information about Only Watch charity auction

More information about L.U.C Engine One Tourbillon watches

Developed in cooperation with Jacky Ickx himself, this fifth edition is a fine example of watches dedicated to classic racing. It offers all the features that are indispensable for a racing driver. First, the chronograph which, in addition to the 60-minute counter at 9 o’clock, features two other specific characteristics: a 24-hour counter at 6 o’clock serving to check the remaining race duration at any time; and the flyback function enabling the user to start a new timing operation without first needing to reset the hands to zero. This saves valuable time aboard a car roaring around Le Mans at over 405 km/h – the track speed record. The tachometric scale engraved on the bezel also serves to measure speed over a 1,000-metre distance: for example, 1,000 metres covered in 45 seconds corresponds to a speed of 80 km/h. A large date display at 12 o’clock and small seconds at 3 o’clock set the finishing touch to the perfectly balanced design of this exceptional model.

Its rugged and resolutely sporting stainless steel 42.4 mm case is water-resistant to 50 metres, while the black dial with its two silver-toned counters and one black counter maintains excellent visibility even in the dark, thanks to Superluminova-coated hands and hour-markers. Shock-resistant and equipped with screw-lock pushers and crown to ensure optimal water resistance, the Jacky Ickx Edition V is designed to withstand extreme weather conditions as well as all manner of physical stresses and strains – precisely such as those experienced at the wheel of a car taking part in the Le Mans 24 Hours. Issued through an exclusive 2000-piece limited edition in stainless steel and 500-piece in 18ct rose gold, it is immediately recognisable thanks to the 6/24 inscription on the case-back, symbolising the six victories clocked up by Jacky Ickx in this legendary race.

Jacky Ickx is one of the greatest drivers in the history of motor racing. During his time on the Formula 1 racing circuit from 1967 to 1979, he took part in 114 Grand Prix races and earned his first win at the 1968 French Grand Prix at the age of 23. However, Jacky Ickx is above all famous for his performances in endurance races, and particularly in the Le Mans 24 Hours, an event he won six times in total. This multi-talented competitor also finished first in the 1983 Paris-Dakar car rally. The launch of the new Jacky Ickx Edition V coincides with the presentation this year of a documentary film retracing the legendary driver’s outstanding career.

The gala evening also celebrated the UN International Year of Forests, acknowledging the crucial role of forests in building a future where humanity lives within the Earth’s ecological limits. WWF is advocating a target of near zero deforestation by 2020, down from the current rate of 13 million hectares of forest lost each year – an area more than three times the size of Switzerland.

“With political will and a commitment to sustainable farming, forestry and consumption, the world can provide resources for a growing population, while conserving the habitats and species that share our planet,” said Jim Leape, Director General of WWF International.

The forest theme was brought to life for the 300 Panda Ball guests through Chopard’s stunning forest-themed décor made from reused, recyclable or sustainably sourced materials. On display were selections from photographer Yann Arthus Bertrand’s exhibition, “Of Forests and People”, which illustrates the beauty of people and wilderness.

During the evening, a charity auction was conducted by Simon de Pury, one of the world’s most renowned auctioneers, helping to raise funds for WWF’s conservation work. The one-of-a-kind Chopard High Jewellery Animal World collection was presented during an impressive show with models and dancers. Kirsty Bertarelli, the evening’s musical artist performed a live acoustic set including her new single, “Green”, which she dedicated to WWF as a conservation anthem. Proceeds from the event will support WWF conservation projects around the world.

H.S.H Prince Albert II of Monaco highlighted his foundation’s partnership with WWF, which supports the conservation of Bluefin tuna in the Mediterranean Sea, Siberian tigers in China, freshwater in the Himalayas, as well as the creation of protected marine areas, and support for children’s environmental clubs in Madagascar.

Visit www.panda.org/news for latest news and media resources.

Fitted with a hand-sewn black alligator leather strap enhanced by four reinforced inserts evoking the seats of classic racing cars, the first features a titanium case with a matt Titalyt® coating and is water-resistant to 50 metres, while the slightly curving lugs are streamlined like car wings, ensuring excellent wearer comfort and enhancing the dynamic effect of this sleek 35.4 x 44.4 mm case.

The dial is also inspired by the automobile world and plays on the theme of transparency. The glare-resistant sapphire crystal protects engraved Arabic numerals that are orange tinted – a colour reflected in the Dauphine-type hour and minute hands. These touches create a particularly striking contrast with the rhodiumed black components of the mechanical movement, as well as accentuating the sporting mood of this model.

The second variation is equally appealing with its white alligator strap designed to be worn by both men and women, along with a luminous polished titanium case matching the silver-toned white appearance of the movement. The latter finish, which is exclusive to the L.U.C collection and to Chopard, is achieved by means of a special new treatment. Meanwhile, the hands, hour-markers and Arabic numerals feature bright red accents that give this model a resolutely sporting look.

These L.U.C Engine One Tourbillon models house a proprietary mechanical hand-wound tourbillon movement, L.U.C Calibre 1TRM.  Similar to a car engine, this movement is mounted on silent blocks in order to better absorb shocks and is stabilized by three lever arms inserted into the middle of the case. This L.U.C Calibre 1TRM designed, developed and produced by Chopard Manufacture beats at a cadence of 28,800 vibrations per hour and boasts a 60-hour power reserve. Chronometer-certified by the COSC, a definite token of reliability and precision, this tourbillon movement drives the display of the hours, minutes, seconds and the power reserve.

In keeping with automobile traditions, the reamed engine block bears the Chopard signature; while a circular segment directly fixed to the upper face of the movement carries the power-reserve display at 12 o’clock positioned opposite the tourbillon bridge at 6 o’clock. Vividly embodying the encounter between the automobile world and that of fine watchmaking, these two new L.U.C Engine One Tourbillon models are produced in limited series of 100 each.

Stunning yet effective the pen from the Classic Racing Writing Instruments Collection by Chopard glides across the paper like driving along in a smoothly running racing car. Its masterful exterior is inspired by the famous Dunlop Racing tyre-tread motif also featured on the rubber straps of Chopard’s hugely successful Mille Miglia watch collection. Its performance focused character stemming from the contrast between the purity of the precious metal and the user-friendly grip of the black rubber.

This collection appeals to those who appreciate the architecture of a fine racing car, the feel of an item built for performance, as well as to connoisseurs of the rare. Proudly bearing this noble seal of excellence, the Classic Racing pen, like the legend pieces of machinery that have come before it, is built to be used and prepared to run smoothly for a journey through the world of words….

The Classic Racing pen is available in Fountain Pen and Rollerball versions plated with rose gold or platinum.

This menagerie of luxury, all motioning together, creates the spectacle that is the famous floating diamonds. These radiantly joyful yet discreet pieces will glitter in splendour on the neck, wrist, ears or fingers of the women who are lucky enough to love them.

Suspended from a fine gold chain or a delicate silk cord, the pendants will gently caress the feminine neckline. Equally entrancing are the bracelets, earrings and subtle gold rings that support the tiny hearts or circles which capture the natural glow of the women wearing them.

The playful and mischievous “Miss Happy” jewellery pieces exude a vivacious and a contagiously joyful attitude to life. Complementing women of every age and lending a brilliantly refined and elegant touch.

Discover more “Miss Happy” pieces on www.chopard.com

The first Mille Miglia watch was presented in 1988, marking the birth of one of the most iconic watch collections from the House of Chopard. Since then, every year at the time of the race, collectors and enthusiasts eagerly await the launch of the “new” Mille Miglia. The successive models enchant admirers by their innovative design and the materials used in making them. Like classic cars, Chopard watches embody fine craftsmanship through exceptional mechanisms and outstanding performances. Aptly named Racing in Pink, the newcomer to the Mille Miglia line immediately sets the tone: joy and femininity are the order of the day! In revisiting the myth, the latest addition to the collection highlights charm and originality while remaining true to the very essence of Mille Miglia models: a decidedly sporting appearance combined with tried and trusted precision.

Equipped with a steel case as generously sized as that of its masculine alter ego (44 mm in diameter), this new monochrome model brings a fanciful yet controlled touch to the Mille Miglia collection. Whoever said women have no place in motor sports? While delightfully flashy and resolutely feminine thanks to its varnished pink dial, the Mille Miglia Racing in Pink nonetheless faithfully reflects the world that inspired it through a variety of nods to the racing theme. These include maintaining the collection’s signature features such as the red colour of the central sweep-seconds hands and the minute markings, along with the famous red and white arrow-shaped Mille Miglia emblem.

Every inch as technically impeccable as its illustrious predecessors, the Mille Miglia Racing in Pink is water-resistant to 100 metres. It houses a mechanical self-winding movement visible through the open case-back and beating at a frequency of 28,800 vibrations per hour. Chronometer-certified by the COSC, this calibre has a 46-hour power reserve and drives the hour, minute, seconds and date functions.

A Chopard Boutique and Corner exclusivity, the Mille Miglia Racing in Pink steel watch is issued in a limited edition of 1,000, and a version with a diamond-set bezel is also available in a 250-piece limited series.

The new Ice Cube rings feature an extremely pure design entirely in tune with the times. While the geometrical spirit is still strongly present, the sheer finesse and majesty of the materials – white, rose or yellow gold and diamonds – are asserted in a gentle yet unmistakably firm manner. The mini cubes form a single row lovingly winding around the finger. These jewellery items are so smooth and light that one can easily forget them and thus further they are gracing you fingers, day after day.

Available in the three colours of gold, the new Ice Cube rings come in polished, gem-set or partially gem-set versions. According to the mood of the moment or the occasion, the wearer will choose to slide one, two or three of them onto the ring finger, teaming them with others to create resolutely cool and fresh jewellery that is intensely personal and timelessly unique.

Bright red is the vivid shade adorning the dial of the new Mille Miglia model from Chopard, named GT XL Chrono Rosso Corsa in reference to the “racing colours” sported by cars taking part in motor races until the late 1960s. This year the spotlight is on Italy and its famous “Rosso Corsa” before other Mille Miglia “Racing Colours” will later take this colour to the road. This extremely sporting and sophisticated watch is inspired by the legendary Mille Miglia car rally, with its Brescia-Rome-Brescia route which annually attracts the cream of classic racing cars, and which has been partnered by Chopard since 1988. The origin of “racing colours” dates back to the Gordon Bennett Cup, the famous car race that involved competing national teams from 1900 onwards. This sparked the emergence of “Vintage Blue” for France and “Rosso Corsa” for Italy, followed by “British Racing Green”, “Speed Yellow” for Belgium and “Silver Racing” for Germany.

The new Mille Miglia GT Chrono Rosso Corsa features a generous 44 mm-diameter polished titanium case. Its red-varnished dial with silver-toned snailed hollowed counters echoes the colour of the stitching on the black leather strap, as well as the minute numerals transferred on the inner bezel ring. Its oversized 6 and 12 o’clock numerals transferred beneath the sapphire crystal lend an exclusive touch. Its aerodynamic titanium pushers, along with the tachometric scale engraved on the bezel, further reinforce its sporting nature. The perfect legibility of the information provided is highlighted by a sapphire crystal that is glareproofed on both sides, while the case-back is engraved with the legendary route of the Mille Miglia rally.

On terms of the mechanism, the self-winding movement chronometer-certified by the COSC beats at a frequency of 28,800 vibrations per hour, meaning 4 Hertz. It is visible through the transparent case-back and has a 46-hour power reserve. It drives the hours, minutes, small seconds at 9 o’clock, a date window with integrated magnifying lens at 3 o’clock, as well as a chronograph with sweep-second hand, a 30-minute counter at 12 o’clock and a 12-hour counter at 6 o’clock – the latter appearing on split levels. Its case equipped with a screw-locked crown is water-resistant to 100 metres. The Mille Miglia GT XL Chrono Rosso Corsa is produced in a limited series of just 1,000 watches, available exclusively in Chopard Boutiques and Corners, thereby underscoring its exclusive character.

By enriching the exuberant collection with new pendants to match the watches, the jewellery also reveals that the crafts exercised within our workshops are not partitioned and that there is indeed a close connection between the various forms of expertise.

The sunny, joyful and effusive new Xtravaganza watch evokes an erupting volcano, a shining star… or perhaps a dazzling firework display! Its finely guilloché rose or white gold dial is paved with a burst of diamonds of all different sizes, as is the matching pendant. As round and bright as the daystar itself, its flamboyant rays are studded with scattered diamonds.

Available in white or rose gold and in two different sizes, the glowing talisman is held by a slender double-link chain. The case of the watch echoes this theme and also comes in two sizes to suit perfectly. The case is secured seamlessly by golden lugs to an elegant black alligator leather strap. These contrasting colours further enhance the radiant brightness of the dial. The attachments and bezel may be gem-set or non-set. Its incandescent and hypnotic beauty combine to ensure that this new Xtravaganza will melt the hearts of all who bask in the warmth of its unique glow.

These unique shoes, set with precious stones, were presented at the Chopard Boutique on Place Vendôme to the international press and customers. The exhibition also unveiled Haute Joaillerie pieces from the Red Carpet Collection, directly inspired by the stars and intended to emphasize their beauty during the legendary climbing of the steps ritual at the Cannes International Film Festival.

More information about the world’s most precious shoes

More information about the Red Carpet Collection

The history of the Chopard company, founded in 1860, has been marked by many significant moments. 1937 was one of these fundamental years, as this was when the founder’s grandson Paul-André Chopard chose to leave the Jura region where Louis-Ulysse Chopard set up his first workshop, in order to establish the brand in Geneva. It was in the latter canton that Chopard subsequently built its current success. In tribute to this historical landmark, the Manufacture first presented the L.U.C 1937 model in 2010 with its pure, understated lines embodying a significant facet of the company’s watchmaking heritage.

The L.U.C 1937 now returns in two classic and timeless versions. The first features a porcelain-type white dial with black transferred Roman numerals and minute track. The second has a satin-brushed silver-toned dial punctuated by applied rhodiumed Roman numerals and a transferred minute track. Both have Dauphine hands personalised for the L.U.C collection in rhodium or black depending on the version. The 42 mm-diameter steel case of the L.U.C 1937 Classic model is characterised by an innovative profile and timeless curves. Its screw-lock crown at 3 o’clock guarantees water resistance to 50 metres. It is adorned with a vertical satin-brushed finish on the sides, along with polished lugs and a sapphire crystal case-back.

The L.U.C 1937 Classic model beats to the rhythm of the new L.U.C Calibre 1.010 and its 28,800 vibrations per hour. This mechanical self-winding movement is chronometer-certified by the COSC and has a 60-hour power reserve. Its construction designed to achieve faultless reliability drives the hours, minutes and central seconds hands, as well as a date display through a window at 6 o’clock. It also features a stop-seconds function enabling easy and accurate time-setting. The precise and high-performance L.U.C Calibre 1.010 represents a significant landmark in the history of L.U.C movements, since its construction serves to increase production volumes and thus consolidate Chopard’s independence.

These new subtly elegant L.U.C 1937 Classic men’s watches are fitted with a black alligator leather strap lined with brown alligator leather and secured by a steel pin buckle.

The evening drew guests into the world of iconic 70’s science-fiction films and their portrayal of a distant future set in space. The night featured futuristic film projections as a back-drop for sparkling Chopard jewels, a trip past a floral sculpture of the “Planet Chopard” and many other intergalactic delights. The entire festivities took place in a marquees set up like a space ship light by a magnificent projection of a full moon.

The theme was cemented by a truly otherworldly performance by Elton John who transported all to the 70’s with a series of classic hits, before he was joined on stage by the legendary George Michael. The notes of their duet, “Don’t Let the Sun Go Down on Me” radiated from the room, with an energy that could be felt throughout the four corners of the gardens of Woodside from the pavilion where the evening was held.

Guests were overwhelmed by the performance, only just having had their palates delighted with tastes of fusion cuisine commencing with a sushi plate including lobster, foie gras and truffle, a main course of beef fillet and the finishing note of “The Planet Sweet”, a trilogy of delightful dessert favourites created for the evening.

Following the dinner, the traditional auction on behalf of the foundation took place. Several exceptional lots were on offer, including a lot resulting from the collaboration between Chopard, Gary Hume and The Elton John AIDS Foundation. The pieces donated for the lot were a Gary Hume artwork entitled “Be Firm” and an Elton John Chopard watch with the sketch “Be Firm” lacquered on the back case of the watch, a secret only to be seen by the wearer. Also on offer was the first piece of art by Raqib Shaw “Study for Narcissus” auctioned for £600,000. Two Audis R8 Spyders where auctioned for £250,000 each before one was generously put back into the auction. There was also a trip to see the work of the foundation with Sir Elton John and David Furnish to Cambodia which has become something of a tradition at the White Tie and Tiara Ball.

Another highlight was a charming Matthew Morrison who presented a unique lot: the unique chance to be part of the Glee casting with a guest appearance on the hit television show Glee. Although the £180,000 raised could also be attributed to Matthew Morrison promising a back massage to the winner.

At the end of the night, Sir Elton John and David Furnish thanked all guests for their presence and generosity, reminding them of the importance of the fight against AIDS and the important work carried out by the foundation.

The Elton John AIDS Foundation was established in 1993. It is amongst the 10 largest AIDS grant-making organisations in the world, currently managing over £23 million in programmes across 15 countries supporting thousands of men, women and children with live saving medication, as well as information, nutrition, education, shelter and support. The White Tie & Tiara Ball, now in its 13^th year, is the EJAF’s foremost fundraising event, generating some £45 million since its launch in 1998.

For more information about the charity and its work, please visit www.ejaf.com

The annual White Tie & Tiara Ball’s purpose is to raise money for the Elton John AIDS Foundation. Caroline Scheufele, Co-President of Chopard, and Sir Elton John met in 2000, at the Cannes Film Festival. This encounter, along with their shared determination to devote their energy and their talent to the fight against AIDS, has given rise to a unique watch collection dedicated to the artist’s Foundation, as well as to a beautiful friendship between Sir Elton John, David Furnish and Caroline Scheufele. In addition to watches, Chopard’s support is expressed through all kinds of events, such as the annual White Tie & Tiara Ball, or the famous Elton John AIDS Foundation Oscars Viewing Party held in Los Angeles after the award ceremony.

Elton John designed watches have enjoyed tremendous success ever since they were launched. A large diameter, an imposing stature, precious stones… The Elton John designed chronograph – which comes in limited and numbered series – is entirely on trend and combines all the qualities of a classic model. Jointly designed by Caroline Scheufele and Sir Elton John, the timepiece reflects the singer’s personality and his love of watches. A percentage of the profits from the sale of Elton John watches are donated to the fight against AIDS.

Featuring black, brown or pink alligator leather straps, the Elton John Watch Collection models boast a myriad of the precious gems of which Sir Elton John himself is so famously fond. Playful diamonds appear either alone or harmoniously combined with sapphires, rubies and emeralds, or even colourful yellow, pink or black diamonds. The dial comes either in a tone matching the gems set around it or in a white or grey-rosé mother-of-pearl version.  For those preferring simplicity, the case and dial also come in plain white or rose gold variations. The Elton John designed chronograph also has impressive technical abilities thanks to the self-winding movement.

For more information about The Elton John AIDS Foundation visit www.ejaf.com

More information about the Elton John Watch Collection by Chopard

An elaborate decoded 3-hour itinerary was worked out for the contestants. The sun was shining brightly cheering up the participants and the guests of L.U.C Chopard Classic Weekend Rally 2011. Windless sunny weather favored the crews, but heavy Moscow traffic proved to be a serious obstacle, and the struggle for the main prize – L.U.C Chopard chronometers – turned out truly spectacular.

The guests and supporters were greeting the arriving teams at the finish in Barvikha Luxury Village and observed the exhibition of L.U.C Chopard chronometers with keen interest.

Karl-Friedrich Scheufele, Chopard Co-President, took part in the rally with his father, Karl Scheufele, Chairman of Chopard. He later announced on stage the results of the rally. He handed L.U.C Chopard chronometers to the winners in two categories: in the “Veteran” (for the automobiles manufactured before 1941) and the “Absolut” (for the ones produced from 1941 to 1969) nominations. There were three prize-winning teams in each nomination.

A romantic piece, this delightfully summery version dares to think pink right through to the smallest details: from the bezel set with pink sapphires, to the rosé mother-of-pearl dial and with a matching satin strap! Adding to the charm and refinement of this precious timepiece, a delicately contoured rose appears against the dial background, while mobile diamonds and pink sapphires dance like dewdrops across its petals. One is almost tempted to lean in and inhale the fragrance of this flower, which unlike the rose sung by the French poet Ronsard, will never lose its radiant beauty – a fact that “sweethearts” around the world will appreciate. As exquisite to gaze upon as it is to wear. “La vie en rose” also comes with a gem-set rose gold bezel or a non-set bezel.

Happy Sport La vie en rose – 250-piece limited edition – Boutique exclusivity

36 mm watch in 18-carat rose gold, bezel in 18-carat rose gold set with pink sapphires, pink mother of pearl dial with rose design, 4 mobile diamonds, 3 mobile pink sapphires, 1 pink sapphire set on crown, water-resistant to 30 metres, quartz movement. Pink satin strap with 18-carat rose gold pin buckle.

Happy Sport La vie en rose – 250-piece limited edition – Boutique exclusivity

36 mm watch in stainless steel, bezel in stainless steel set with pink sapphires, pink mother of pearl dial with rose design, 4 mobile diamonds, 3 mobile pink sapphires, 1 pink sapphire set on crown, water-resistant to 30 metres, quartz movement. Pink satin strap.

Happy Sport La vie en rose – 25-piece limited edition – Boutique exclusivity

36 mm watch in 18-carat rose gold and white gold, set with white and pinks diamonds, white mother of pearl dial with rose design set with diamonds, 4 mobile diamonds, 3 mobile pink diamonds, 1 pink diamond set on crown, water-resistant to 30 metres, quartz movement. Pink satin strap with 18-carat white gold pin buckle set with diamonds.

]]> http://diary.chopard.com/chopard-sees-time-in-pink/feed 2 http://diary.chopard.com/the-puristspros-10th-anniversary-event http://diary.chopard.com/the-puristspros-10th-anniversary-event#comments Thu, 09 Jun 2011 09:49:56 +0000 Chopard http://diary.chopard.com/?p=2562 Continue reading →]]> Chopard participated in IGOTT-2, the PuristSPro’s 10^th anniversary three-day event held in Las Vegas, featuring a day exclusively dedicated to Chopard. Chopard celebrated 10 years of the PuristSPro with a 15 year retrospective of the L.U.C Manufacture, a go-kart excursion, a presentation given by Karl-Friedrich Scheufele and an evening at the Ferrari dealership.

IGOTT-2, the PuristSPro’s 10^th anniversary event, took place May 30^th through June 1^st in Las Vegas and brought together the industry’s most distinguished brands, independent watchmakers and personalities for three full days of exclusive presentations, discussions, and events to celebrate the art of fine watchmaking.

On May 31^st, Purists were taken on a Chopard go-karting excursion and had the opportunity to race with Karl-Friedrich Scheufele, Co-President of Chopard. Participants raced in three heats vying to make it to the finals. The top ten drivers competed in the final round and, after several arduous laps, Karl-Friedrich Scheufele and Marc Hruschka, President and CEO of Chopard USA, awarded the top three winners with pieces from Chopard’s Classic Racing accessories collection.

Later in the afternoon participants were given an educational overview of Chopard’s L.U.C Manufacture via a 15 year retrospective exhibit showcasing the 9 distinct families of calibers, comprised of a total of 50 different variations that have been developed entirely in-house since the Manufacture’s founding in 1996. About 4,000 watch movements are made each year within Chopard’s L.U.C Manufacture.

Karl-Friedrich Scheufele then hosted an enlightening and engaging discussion entitled, “What is a Purist’S watch?” whilst also giving participants exclusive insight to the latest developments at the Manufacture. To bring the memorable day to an end, Chopard hosted a private cocktail reception and dinner in the Ferrari dealership at the Wynn Hotel. On display were historical and current cars as well as Chopard’s exceptional timepieces from the L.U.C and Classic Racing Collections, marrying the House’s ongoing passion for cars and timepieces in a unique environment.

“Devotees of fine automobiles tend to have a weakness for beautiful timepieces, and vice versa. In both cases, sporting elegance and the quest for performance play a decisive role. Lifting the hood of a car provides an understanding of what is going on inside the engine, and the same goes for horological mechanisms that may be admired through a watch case-back.” – Karl-Friedrich Scheufele

Pictured above, from left, are Mr. Bill Nash, Dr. Thomas Mao (PuristSPro founder), Mr. Karl-Friedrich Scheufele and Dr. Melvyn Teillol-Foo.

About PuristSPro

An online community for watch enthusiasts, PuristSPro is the place to discuss, explore and gather information on the worlds most prestigious and luxurious watch brands. Composed of a dedicated team of moderators, enthusiasts and collectors, the PuristSPro community reports and reviews on industry leaders via forums and online discussions. This established community of connoisseurs, collectors, and professionals is a place of passion, information and opinion for the public to explore and gather insight into the luxury watch industry.

TimeCrafters brought together watch connoisseurs, collectors, and the public alike to celebrate the art and science of watchmaking and its rich history dating back to the 13^th century. The event was a place to share passions for international timepieces in a unique and ultra-luxurious environment.

Chopard is one of the rare Houses that develops and produces its own movements and watches completely in-house at Chopard’s L.U.C Manufacture in Fleurier. Passion and innovation are the hallmarks of Chopard’s philosophy, reflected in each unique creation of the L.U.C collection. From the inside out, each timepiece is the ultimate expression of beauty and the peak of the watchmaking art.

This year, Chopard is celebrating Time-Honoured Crafts. Within the company there are over 30 different types of craftsmen including: balance-spring fitter, complications watchmaker, electroplater, gem-setter, and gold-caster.

TimeCrafters

The exhibition, organized by Editions Temps International, the leading European publisher of supplements in the international watch sector, was designed to educate and enlighten the public about fine watchmaking. Additionally, an exhibit curated by the Fondation de la Haute Horlogerie was on display and illustrated the origins and development of the art and science of watchmaking. TimeCrafters is the only event of its kind in the U.S. to grant the public access to the world’s most prestigious watchmakers.

The Foundation de la Haute Horlogerie

The Foundation de la Haute Horlogerie (FHH) was created to actively promote the heritage and values of technical and precious fine watchmaking throughout the world. FHH unveiled the first event in the United States at TimeCrafters. The foundation curated an original exhibition titled, Mechanical Horology from Its Origins to the Present Day which chronicled the history of mechanical time measurement and showcased 60 time pieces. The historical exhibit illustrated the origins and development of watchmaking and featured three watchmakers to give viewers insight into the technicalities of watchmaking. As a partner of the FHH, Chopard loaned 1 historic watch and 1 contemporary watch for the exhibit.

The Chopard Boutique in Vienna was the first store with the traditional wood design and an inviting fireplace, creating an atmosphere of warm conviviality. The Scheufele family, owner of Chopard, wanted a boutique that was reminiscent of a beautiful private home where guests would be invited to view wonderful objects. This concept then became Chopard’s corporate identity, and all Boutiques worldwide presented the same cozy décor.

A new Boutique concept was introduced in 2007, with the opening of a flagship store in New York, 709 Madison Avenue. Based on the idea that Chopard represents a blend of century old family tradition and high-tech creations, renowned French architect Thierry W. Despont reinterpreted the design codes in a contemporary style. Born in France and trained in Paris, with an additional degree from Harvard University, Thierry W. Despont is a master architect and designer. Mr. Despont was Associate Architect for the Centennial Restoration of the Statue of Liberty, and designed the Decorative Arts galleries of the new J. Paul Getty Museum in Los Angeles, as well as the renovation of Claridge’s hotel in London.

The fundamental spirit – a boutique reminiscent of a beautiful home – has been maintained with a fresh approach that is true to the brand’s DNA and history but remains innovative. The use of white oak and fine leather for the wall panels, store fixtures and furniture fronts evoke a sense of luxury, warmth and familiarity. Luscious velvet is used for the curtains and upholstery of chairs for a sense of opulence, beautifully complemented by the fireplace made of marfil for an authentic touch. Eliminating the destruction of trees, renewable woods are beign used under this Boutique concept.

The Geneva-based company takes great pride in creating high-precision timepieces and luxurious jewels that embody imaginative design and sophisticated elegance. Mr. Thierry W. Despont’s Boutique concept is the perfect stage upon which to view Chopard’s collections, now and in the years to come.

This successful new concept has now been applied to the Chopard Boutique in Vienna. We kindly invite you to the redesigned Boutique in order to discover the latest collections. A friendly in-house customer service team is available to help you with additional product information. You can find the full address on Chopard’s Store Locator.

The world’s most glamorous festival provides Chopard with an opportunity to unveil some of its most brilliant creations, to the delight of both the stars that wear them and the public that admires them. Inspired by actresses and deliberately varied, the pieces in the Red Carpet Collection reflect a wide range of hopes and expectations. Whether elaborate compositions or elegant yet simple designs, these adornments radiate discreet luxury and exuberant elegance. The creations portray an infinite spectrum of forms and styles, often combining fine stones and precious gems within the same setting. Eager to offer the best of its expertise, Chopard draws upon the full measure of its diverse talents as well as on its long-established experience, mingling time-honoured gestures, cutting-edge technologies and well-documented research, while taking its taste for excellence and novelty to ever greater heights.

As a regular on the red carpet in Cannes for almost 15 years, Caroline Gruosi-Scheufele is well acquainted with the frenzy surrounding the famous festival staircase, and the tremendous impact of the vision of stars shown around the word during this magical ritual. Having developed friendships with many of these glamorous ladies, she also knows how important this moment is to them, as well as the type of jewellery they dream of wearing. Which is exactly why each year, in cooperation with the Design department, she does her utmost to dream up original unique pieces, so that each festival participant – regardless of the wearer being a legendary star or an up-and-coming actress – will find exactly the jewellery that best fits her personality and will highlight her beauty in a unique way.

The innovative and poetic Red Carpet 2011 collection is an ode to the beginnings of springtime. The bright, often striking tones, and the fresh charm of these creations vibrantly illustrate the exuberant awakening of mother nature after her long slumber. Exuding visions of flower-dotted fields, fruit to be savoured hanging lustrously from branches and glistening in the sunlight: colour is the star of this Red Carpet show! Splendid shades of green – peridots, tsavorites and emeralds – evoke the transformation of the seasons, a year pulsating with new life, while the silvery glow of moon stones and the sparkling white of diamonds evoke the waterfalls and flowing mountain streams one comes across while rambling on a sunny day in the countryside or the mountains. The collection’s key pieces include a necklace and earrings set in emeralds and heart-cut diamonds that immediately catch the gaze. Like vines or slender ivy garlands, this stunning creation appears to be entwined around the neck. The dark green of the emeralds acquires an even deeper and more mysterious aura through its close encounter with diamonds. Gems are seen to gently caress the skin like fluttering leaves. The earrings, composed of a double drop bead, create the illusion of an all-emerald outline with a diamond shadow, as if the sunrays were constantly playing across the delightful creation.

Discover the complete Red Carpet Collection on Chopard.com/Cannes2011.

Chopard Co-President Caroline Gruosi-Scheufele has chosen to unite her talent with that of Italian shoe designer Giuseppe Zanotti for a one-of-a-kind creation: gem-set stilettos that will be auctioned on behalf of the fight against AIDS. “Chopard is a long-time supporter of AmFAR, and in particular of its gala in Cannes”, explains Caroline Gruosi-Scheufele. “This year, we wished to support the charity through an idea than took shape when I met Giuseppe Zanotti. His talent has inspired a project combining our respective crafts. This pair of shoes represents the expression of two artists at the peak of their profession, and a beautiful means for their future owner to support a noble cause”.

For over 15 years, Giuseppe Zanotti has been one of the most sought-after celebrity shoe designers. Famed for his jewelled pumps, his company is distinguished by its exceptional expertise that has been gradually yet continuously enriched over the years. Like Chopard and its Creative department, in order to create the models of his dreams, Zanotti has developed a full-fledged style laboratory within his workshops, surrounding himself with a host of experts including shoemakers, model makers, designers as well as numerous jewellery application specialists.

“I’ve always been passionate about jewellery and being a collector of antique pieces, I am extremely sensitive to the need for philanthropic action, which is why I was immediately drawn to the idea of this association with Chopard”, says Giuseppe Zanotti, “I have been supporting AmFAR’s activities for several years. This project also sparked new creative inspiration and gave me the means to fulfill a dream: that of creating the most precious shoes ever…”

Chopard’s emblematic sports watch has come to symbolise the world’s most famous classic car rally, the Millie Miglia. The Mille Miglia Watch remains loyal to the annual event that has made it a classic in the field of luxury watchmaking. Immediately recognisable thanks to its natural rubber strap echoing the 1960s Dunlop Racing tyre-tread motif, it appears in 2011 in a 44 mm-diameter steel or 18-carat rose gold case housing a self-winding chronograph movement chronometer-certified by the COSC.

The strength of true classics is that they simply will never age, provided they are perpetually reinvented. The Mille Miglia watch, an iconic sports watch since 1988 when Choaprd began its partnership with this legendary race, has become one of the great watchmaking legends.

An iconic design

The 2011 model is certainly a match for the reputation established by its illustrious predecessors. A powerful design combined with sterling technical qualities make this yet another great vintage. The Mille Miglia GT XL Chrono 2011 is distinguished by a generous 44 mm case in steel or 18-carat rose gold, framing a dial with a vintage-style design featuring elongated numerals that are nonetheless in tune with the spirit of the characteristic Mille Miglia numerals. The engine-turned dial finish is reminiscent of vintage sports car dashboards, while its black colour lends a resolutely contemporary touch that beautifully highlights the silver-toned snailed and hollowed counters at 12, 6 and 9 o’clock. The minute circle appears in black and red – a nod to the colour of the race that annually attracts the finest classic cars to the route running from Brescia to Rome.

The case of the Mille Miglia GT XL Chrono 2011 is water-resistant to 100 metres and fitted with a bezel bearing a tachometric scale, as well as a screw-lock crown adorned with the famous Mille Miglia arrow and broad chronograph pushers. The arrow symbol also appears in the centre of the transparent case-back, along with the inscriptions Limited Edition and Brescia-Rome-Brescia. The overall readability is further improved by glareproofed sapphire crystals on both sides of the watch.

Technically irreproachable

The Mille Miglia GT XL Chrono 2011 is equally impeccable from a technical standpoint. Its mechanical self-winding movement beating at a frequency of 28,800 vibrations per hour is visible through the transparent case-back. Chronometer-certified by the COSC, it features a 46-hour power reserve and drives the hour,

minute, date, small seconds functions, as well as the chronograph with its central seconds hand, and its 30-minute and 12-hour counters. It is also equipped with a stop seconds mechanism enabling time-setting to the nearest second.

A limited edition for collectors

The Mille Miglia GT XL Chrono 2011 is available in a steel 2,011-piece limited edition or in a 250-piece limited 18-carat rose gold version. It is fitted with a new integrated strap in natural rubber echoing the design of the famous 1960s Dunlop Racing tyres. The 2011 vintage will once again be sought-after by collectors around the world….

Discover the new Mille Miglia watch on www.chopard.com/1000miglia

More information about the race on www.1000miglia.eu

• The most audacious (and very dangerous) car award:

Car number 188, with the Aston Martin DB3S of 1953, which drivers almost caused me to crash my car a couple times.

• The James Dean award:

There were a lot of Porsche 550 in this race, by far my favorite car, but one team really managed to distinguish their car from the rest : car number 243!

• The best looking car:

I want to congratulate the drivers from the car number 193 with their Jaguar C-Type that always had the courage to end their day by cleaning their car by hand with mineral water.

After the euphoria of the finish line comes a tumbling exhaustion. Thankfully a member of Chopard showed me the final way to the Palazzo Arzaga into the dark and sinuous countryside roads. I just followed him in autopilot mode since my brain was almost shutdown.

When entering my hotel room I also discovered that I made an amateur mistake… My left arm was way more tanned by the sun that the right one. How chic!

Finally, I enjoyed sleeping more than 4 hours straight, which didn’t happen since the beginning of the race. I think all the drivers would agree that a bed didn’t feel as confortable in their life.

As the German driver of the 318 explained to me when his car broke down, most of the classic car failures are linked to the oil. Bad quality or too little can overheat the engine, create leaks, infiltrate with the gas and therefore lose power.

We are 6 hours away from the finish line and you can now feel the pilots are now racing more than ever. Forget the speed cameras, the traffic, the red lights… It’s all about getting in time to Brescia. And I may have lost some points on my driving license trying to follow them!

2 hours left before the finish line at the quiet city of Maranello. Cars line up to the checkpoint before having a blast on the circuit.

A partner of the Cannes International Film Festival since 1998, Chopard signalled its commitment to the septième art in 2001 by creating an award intended to honour the up-and-coming generation of the international movie world. At each edition of the Festival, the Chopard Trophy rewards the talent of two young actors. Many talented performers who have since achieved widespread recognition, such as Marion Cotillard, Jonathan Rhys-Meyers, Diane Kruger and Gael Garcia-Bernal, have thus been distinguished by Chopard. This year, the Geneva-based jeweller was particularly proud to be celebrating its award’s 10th anniversary in the company of Robert De Niro. The actor, who serves as President of the Jury of the 64th Cannes Film Festival, was also the patron of the 11th edition of the Trophée Chopard ceremony.

Awarded for the first time in 2001, the Trophée Chopard’s aim is to foster new talents by recognising them as Best Young Actor and Actress of the Year. Born from Caroline Gruosi-Scheufele’s passion for the world of cinema, this award, in partnership with Première magazine, is supported by the President of the Festival, Gilles Jacob.

As precious to receive as to admire, the Trophée Chopard is in itself a genuine architectural gem. The golden reel of film, finely crafted by Chopard’s master jewellers, was created by Caroline Gruosi-Scheufele, Co-President and Creative Director for Chopard. A long-time film enthusiast, she reflects upon her decision to support such an event: “The art of cinema has always been one of my passions. There is fabulous synergy between our two worlds: the creation of magnificent jewellery on one hand, and unforgettable films on the other”. It is certainly true that Chopard and the world of movies are engaged in an enduring love story worthy of the silver screen. Symbols of absolute glamour and expressions of dreams and emotions, jewellery, films and stars are all part of the same enchanting world, a sphere beyond the reach of time in which beauty, luxury and talent top the bill. Adulated for its original and refined creations that highlight feminine beauty, Chopard is well accustomed to red carpets the world over. Whether at the Oscars, Baftas or other glittering venues, the luxury company is a guest of honour at the world’s most prestigious movie events.

This year the laureates have been chosen by a jury of film professionals composed of actress Marisa Berenson, director Claude Lelouch, producer Takis Candilis, along with Mathieu Carratier, Chief Editor of Première magazine, and Caroline Gruosi-Scheufele.

This ceremony, one of the most prestigious of the Cannes Film Festival, once again attracted many of the great names in the movie industry. The event was all the more popular in that it marked an important anniversary, and the prize-giving was followed by an exclusive evening held at the Chopard Lounge.

Enjoy Chopard’s exclusive invitation to relive last night’s prize-giving ceremony of the Trophée Chopard and admire the new laureates of the prestigious annual distinction awarded at the Cannes International Film Festival.

At 1 p.m. and the temperature is around 32°C as we enter San Marino. As the pilot of the Ferrari explains to me, once your car has been driven intensely and the engine is hot, it is very hard to start it again. A difficult choice when the drivers start queuing: stop the engine and take the chance or let the car overheat a little?

I didn’t expect to see snow in the middle of May, but it only took a 30-minute ride up in the mountains to find it. A great playground for propulsion cars.

Almost 11 p.m. and most of the drivers like me have been up since 6 a.m. What a great relief to arrive at the Stadio Olimpico.

When you hear “benzina, benzina!!” from a driver a few minutes away from the starting line, every-one gets their hands dirty to fix the leak. Even when the mechanic is part of the opponent team… That’s the spirit.

The race started yesterday in the center of Brescia blessed by a nice sunset. It’s now my turn to take the wheel and try to find their checkpoints on this awesome roadmap.

> Discover our photostream of the race on Flickr

During the 2011 Mille Miglia race (May 12th-15th), Chopard is delighted to announce that Brian Leavy, co-founder of Materialiste.com, will be following the race for the brand. The idea is to provide Chopard enthusiasts with live insights on the race and its atmosphere. From the start of the race at Brescia to the theatrical stage in Rome and through to the presentation of the winner, experience the event from the inside!

Several articles, pictures and films will be posted on the Mille Miglia website as well as on the Chopard social media platforms such as the Diary and the Facebook profile.

Dedicated to masculine elegance, Materialiste.com pens insights on the themes of luxury, fashion and the art of living, whilst dealing with a common pursuit: that of beauty.

As a classic car enthusiast for many years – he owns a Triumph Spitfire MK3 SE –, Brian has always dreamed of meeting Steve McQueen or Jacky Ickx. Today, this dream takes on a whole new dimension during the most beautiful car race in the world, the Mille Miglia.

Follow him on www.chopard.com/millemiglia

The Drive

The California Mille race began on April 25^th at 8:30am, departing from Mason Street in San Francisco. The drivers spent the morning passing through key points such as the Golden Gate Bridge, Mt. Tamalapais, and the Infineon Raceway in Petaluma. After spending the afternoon on Highways 116, 121, and 29, the drivers finished the first day at the Solage Calistoga. On Day Two, drivers made their way through Geyserville, Lake Sonoma, Skaggs Springs Road, Highway 1, Highway 128, Cloverdale, Asti Road, and back to Calistoga. On the third day, the drivers traveled along the Silverado Trail and took laps at Thunderill Race Track. The race path took them along Highway 162 and 206, Danley Road, Freshwater, and Highway 20 with a return trip back to the Solage Calistoga. The concluding day featured a route through Mill Valley, which was renamed “Mille Valley” for the day, and ended in Sonoma with a final banquet and awards dinner at the Lodge at Sonoma. Throughout the race, the drivers make lavish pit stops that included dining at world-renowned restaurants, staying at luxurious hotels, and a visit to a private Mercedes-Benz collection, considered to rival the carmaker’s own collection in Stuttgart, Germany.

Chopard and the Mille Miglia Watch Collection

Passionate about vintage cars, Karl-Friedrich Scheufele, Co-President of Chopard, has been playing an active part in the Mille Miglia since 1988, when Chopard supported this event for the first time. Scheufele has twin passions for classic cars and fine watchmaking, and has a remarkable personal collection of cars including many pre-war and post-war English and German makes. In his words: “Lovers of fine automobiles are said to have a weakness for precious timekeepers and vice versa. In both domains, extreme precision and sporting elegance play an important role”. Lifting the hood of a car provides an understanding of what is going on inside the engine, and the same goes for horological mechanisms that may be admired through a watch case-back. Chopard and Classic Car Racing have thus become synonymous, giving rise to a collection of Mille Miglia watches which represent elegance and high performance needed in both the watch and classic car race industries. To commemorate The California Mille 2011 event, Chopard created a Mille Miglia Gran Turismo XL watch featuring the logo of the California Mille 2011 race, available exclusively to participants of the California Mille. Five watches were presented to five extraordinary drivers, selected by the Mille mechanics and crew.

The Mille Miglia Gran Turismo XL Power Control radiates a powerful character, including through a dial playing on contrasts to reveal its dynamic nature. The oversized “12” numeral is counterbalanced by the semi-circular power reserve display at 6 o’clock. Exactly like a petrol gauge, the percentage indicator features a red zone below 20%, designed to remind its wearer that the mechanism requires a new input of energy. At the heart of this ‘speed machine’ lies the largest mechanical movement on the market, chronometer-certified by the COSC.

To play and try to win go to www.chopard.com/millemiglia

Come discover the feminine magic of Chopard’s timeless jewels and fine watches. You can find full coordinates of points of sales on Chopard’s Store Locator.

Happy Hearts earrings, ring and bracelet in 18-carat rose gold with moving diamond

During this commemoration of haute horology for timepiece collectors and connoisseurs, Chopard’s in-house watchmaker from Fleurier gave live demonstrations on the art of Haute Horlogerie at the New York Flagship on 709 Madison Avenue.

Watch aficionado’s also found a retrospective installation documenting 15 years of Chopard’s L.U.C Manufacture, where an achievement of 50 in-house calibers could be viewed.

Additionally, Chopard was pleased to debut an outstanding clock created by Jean Kazes, a famous and highly-skilled clockmaker living in Switzerland. This sculptural and artistic timekeeper is a spectacular work of horological art made exclusively for the New York flagship Boutique.

Lastly, visitors had the opportunity to view new introductions from the L.U.C Collection recently unveiled at Basel.

Chopard is one of the rare Houses that develops and produces its own movements and watches completely in-house at Chopard’s L.U.C Manufacture in Fleurier. Passion and innovation are the hallmarks of Chopard’s philosophy, reflected in each unique creation of the L.U.C collection. From the inside out, each timepiece is the ultimate expression of beauty and the peak of watchmaking art.

This year, Chopard is celebrating Time-Honoured Crafts. Within the company there are over 30 different types of craftsmen including: balance-spring fitter, complications watchmaker, electroplater, gem-setter, and gold-caster.

Happy Spirit Elixir d’Amour reveals the love story between a precious jasmine heart enlightened by delightful delicate floral touches, and the ambery and musky notes of cashmere wood.

This sparkling floral bouquet comes in a beautiful flacon. Two hearts encounter and unite linked together by a transparent intense ruby ribbon. A unique harmony is born…

Representing a perfect blend of beauty, radiance and mystery, the diamond is the most mythical of all precious stones. And when it embodies such exceptional qualities as this 85.28-carat stone, it naturally enters the hallowed circles of truly extraordinary gems. The extreme limpidity, whiteness and clarity of the stone acquired by the jeweller place it in the IIA class, an extremely rare and pure category accounting for approximately 1% of all diamonds. Stones of such perfection and such size historically originate from the Indian mines of Golconda, which were indeed the only known diamond mines until the 19^th century. Renowned for their perfect white colour, their distinctive lustre and their transparency, Golconda diamonds are among the most sought-after and celebrated in the world.

Endowed with the same assets as these gemstones that have enjoyed a historical destiny, the diamond unveiled by Chopard is already unleashing passions, including that of Caroline Gruosi-Scheufele, Co-President of the House and Creative Director, who confides: “I love gems. I have seen a lot of them in my career, but the beauty of this particular one surpasses most others, and it is truly exceptional.” This natural-born designer constantly travels the globe in search of the finest stones. She then draws inspiration from her numerous journeys and encounters in order to transcend and exalt, with the help of the designers in the High Jewellery department, the priceless treasures she brings back with her. We can safely state that this fabulous 85-carat diamond will once again enable her to express the full scope of her talent.

Calling upon the creativity, sensitivity and expertise of all members of the production team, who exercise a range of skills developed and mastered within the Chopard workshops over the years, creating a piece of jewellery around this incomparable stone represents a substantial challenge. But nothing can resist the peerless experience and dexterity of the in-house artisans. This gem, however precious and imposing, will be tamed by the jewellers’ expert fingers and thus lend itself to being transformed into the most dazzling of creations.

Happy Heart watch

To be sure not to miss the 12 strokes of midnight and to see their carriage turn back into a pumpkin, modern-day Cinderellas have found the indispensable accessory: a Happy Heart watch in a “tender pledges” version. The white rubber strap is marked with the symbol of love, while one of the three diamonds spinning around the dial is clasped in the gentle embrace of a white gold heart. A romantic yet subtle way of showing that one both loves and is loved…

Happy Diamonds, for an exceptional rendezvous

Designed for grand occasions, the flamboyant Happy Diamonds pendant set with a triple row of diamonds shines with full radiance when nestling in an exquisitely plunging neckline. Its brilliant captive diamonds flutter in harmony with the loving heart just beneath.

Very Chopard jewellery, featuring sophisticated reinterpretations of the legendary Happy Diamonds collection, will turn the heads of many Valentines. Rings, pendants and earrings highlight a heart with a distinctive cone-shaped curve. This highly innovative design is particularly suited to the captive brilliant-cut gems. Held within a capsule featuring walls lined with mirrors or diamonds, as if set free within a dazzling sunbeam, the diamonds are brighter and livelier than ever with their infinitely varied and playfully shimmering reflections.

More products on Chopard’s Valentine’s Day dedicated micro website: www.chopard.com/valentineday

One of the highlights of the event was a magnificent 1930 Alfa Romeo 6C-1750 Gran Sport Spyder first driven by Luigi Scarfiotti for the Scuderia Ferrari during the 1930 Mille Miglia.

Mr. Karl-Friedrich Scheufele, Co-President of Chopard, was delighted to support an event dedicated to one of his own passions. “Naturally the classic cars that make up my personal collection have been a perpetual source of inspiration for the watches created by Chopard. The shared attributes between these two universes – graceful lines, refinement of finish, mechanical excellence and traditional craftsmanship blend together harmoniously.”

Whether in Paris, Dubai, London or Tokyo, the pleasure of delicate flavours and that of the time taken to relish them have met and mingled in these ultimate expressions of the culinary art. Exceptional timepieces, timeless expertise and constant innovations: such are the ingredients that make Chopard a multi-facetted House that is transcended by the passion of its leaders.

For Chopard Co-President Karl-Friedrich Scheufele, “combining high gastronomy and fine horology makes complete sense. There are many similarities between our two worlds: the accuracy demonstrated by the great chefs in their cuisine certainly matches that of our master-watchmakers.” These long cultivated passions have now given rise to a series of dinners pervaded by the art of patience and representing an anthem to a time of rituals, of celebrations, and of leisurely savouring gourmet delights.

Karl-Friedrich Scheufele with Philippe Rochat, in Lausanne

“The IMPERIALE was brilliantly interpreted by all the chefs that got involved in our concept”, said Chopard Co-President Caroline Gruosi-Scheufele. “Exactly as in our own creations, quality and creativity are essential elements in their know-how. I am impatient to see what our last diner in Tokyo has in store for us…”

Caroline Gruosi-Scheufele with Carlo Cracco, in Milan

The IMPERIALE dinners by Chopard will be immortalised in a publication revealing behind-the-scenes details of the world’s finest chefs. This collector’s portfolio created by Stiletto Editions from Paris will celebrate this horological and gourmet journey through time by offering an immersion into the distinctive cuisines and unique recipes of chefs, pervaded by the twin themes of temporal beauty and perfect good taste. Throughout the pages of this splendid art book, IMPERIALE watches will serve as majestic witnesses to this original story of mingled passions, ultimate flavours and transcendent moments…

This collection comprises 15 different models featuring an original design and testifying to Chopard’s legendary inventiveness and expertise in the twin fields of fine jewellery and watchmaking.

More pieces from the Animal World watch collection

The 22^nd edition of the 1000 Millas Sport was held between November 24^th – 28^th, 2010 in the Patagonia region of Argentina’s Andes mountains. Argentina’s version of the Mille Miglia consists of 150 participants driving pre-1980 automobiles over 1000 miles of some of the most breathtaking roads in the world.

To celebrate the collaboration Chopard created the 1000 Millas Sport 2010 watch, a limited edition of 20 pieces.