In 1860, a 24-year-old son of a farmer, Louis-Ulysse Chopard (1836–1915), established the L.U.C. company — now known simply as Chopard, rather than by the founder’s initials — in Sonvilier, Switzerland. His initial work evolved from making mechanical movements to building the watches themselves, concentrating on making the pocket watch slimmer to carry for everyday use while also ensuring it was precise and reliable.
Early successes for Chopard included providing watches for the punctuality needs of the Swiss Railway Company. Recognizing the international market for Swiss watchmaking, Chopard traveled across Europe and Russia, with Czar Nicholas II becoming a client in 1912.
Chopard’s son, Paul-Louis, took over after Louis-Ulysse’s death in 1915 and expanded the business to La Chaux-de-Fonds. In 1937, the company relocated to the watchmaking center of Geneva, where they could mark their work with the prestigious Geneva Seal. (Paul-Louis’s son, Paul-André, took the reins in 1943.) Business thinned in the postwar years, and Paul-André’s sons declined the opportunity to take over for their father.
In 1963, Chopard was acquired by German goldsmith and watchmaker Karl Scheufele III and his wife, Karin. Under their ownership, Chopard added jewelry to its offerings. The popular Happy Diamonds wristwatch debuted in 1976 — it launched a collection, which now features bracelets, rings and other items. The distinctive watch sees dozens of glittering diamonds, loosed from their settings, moving freely around the dial.
The story goes that the in-house designer Ronald Kurowski was inspired by the kinetic glimmers of sunlight on a waterfall in the Black Forest. He would then develop the innovative system for the Happy Diamonds timepiece that he hoped would essentially mimic his experience in the woods.
A young Caroline Scheufele — Karl and Karin’s daughter, who would later become copresident and artistic director — led the introduction of a Happy Diamonds jewelry line in 1985, with her design for a playful clown pendant with a belly full of jittering precious stones. Subsequent lines and accessories such as the Happy Dreams bracelet, Happy Hearts collection and the Happy Sport watches further enhanced Chopard’s range of dynamic adornment.
The Scheufele family-run company continues to be synonymous with excellence in timepieces, such as its role as the official timekeeper for the Grand Prix de Monaco Historique, creating all of its movements in-house. And Chopard is constantly developing its wares, from sunglasses and fragrances to recent introductions of high-end handbags.
Find a wide range of vintage Chopard wristwatches, necklaces, rings and other jewelry on 1stDibs.
Chopard Happy Diamonds Bracelet
By Chopard
Located in London, GB
Here we have an stunning bracelet from the world-renowned jeweller designer, Chopard. The piece has been crafted from a high polished 18ct white gold and showcases open boxed links; ...
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
Chopard 18K White Gold 20 Carat Micro Pave Diamond Link Bracelet
By Chopard
Located in New York, NY
Classic link bracelet is all a woman needs for her every day accessory. Yes you will be surprised how little does it take to make a woman happy, say this diamond bracelet with smooth...
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
Chopard Diamond 8.40cts Braided 18K White Gold Bracelet
By Chopard
Located in Miami, FL
A luxurious Unisex Chopard diamond bracelet crafted in 18K white gold, showcasing an elegant braided wrap design. This striking bracelet is set with approximately 8.40 carats of bril...
Diamond, White Gold
Philippe Charriol Sectional Diamond Bracelet 18k White Gold
By Philippe Charriol
Located in Honolulu, HI
Bracelet Specifications: Designer: Philippe Charriol Metal: 18k White Gold Diamond Count: 176 brilliant Diamond Carat Weight: ~ 1.00 carats Diamond Color: F-G Diamond Clar...
Diamond, White Gold, 18k Gold
$78,000
W 1.2 in L 6.5 in
25 Carat Total Round Cut Natural Diamond Bezel Link Bracelet in 18K White Gold
By Gad & Co.
Located in Miami, FL
25.70 CTTW Round Cut Diamond Thick Bracelet in 18K White Gold, a luxurious piece weighing 68.40 grams and measuring 6.5 x 1.2 inches. The bracelet featu...
Diamond, White Gold, 18k Gold
18KT White Gold 15.60Ct. Diamond Bracelet
By Cellini
Located in New York, NY
Designed with 10 oval diamond sections, joined with diamond set rondelles, this elegant bracelet remains a classic. The 18 karat white gold bracelet is set with 15.60 carats of round...
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
$30,630
H 0.23 in W 0.75 in L 7.5 in
Verdura 18K White Gold Link Bracelet with 1.1 Carat Round F-VS Diamonds
By Verdura
Located in New York, NY
Designer: Verdura Video: Video Link Detailed Description: A whisper of timeless elegance graces your wrist with this vintage 18K white gold bracelet. Crafted with a mesmerizing inter...
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
Doris Panos Diamond Bracelet with 2.62 CTW Of Diamonds in 18K White Gold
By Doris Panos
Located in Naples, FL
Doris Panos Diamond Fashion Bracelet. This Bracelet Has 131 Round Diamonds ~2.62CTW. And Has Square And Oval Alternating Diamond Stations. The Bracelet Is 7" In Length And Is Set In ...
Diamond, White Gold
$29,450
W 0.65 in L 7.5 in
Designer Yeprem Diamond Champagne Link Bracelet 27.93 Carats 18 Karat White Gold
Located in New York, NY
Signed Yeprem, this alternating link bracelet features 491 high quality round brilliance weighing 14.73 carats and 264 Champagne color diamonds weighing 13.20 carats, in 18 karat whi...
Diamond, Brown Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
Boucheron Bracelet 18k White Gold Diamond Estate Jewelry
By Boucheron
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
An exquisite Boucheron bracelet made of 18 karat white gold and diamond. This spectacular bracelet has a unique, outstanding design. It comprises of ten flexible gold and diamond strings running towards each other. The strings meet in the middle, creating a layered loop crafted as a stylized drop. This white gold and diamond bracelet is a fascinating piece, airy and substantially sparkly at the same time. The central element creates an amazing effect of the diamonds floating above the wrist. The bracelet is made of 18 karat white gold and features 273 round brilliant cut diamonds, with the total weight of 31.09 carats. The diamonds are of F-G color, VVS2-VS1 clarity. This Boucheron bracelet measures 6 ¾” x 1 ½” (17.5 x 3.8 cm) and weighs 90.3 grams. The bracelet is stamped with the Boucheron maker's marks, hallmarks for 18k gold, serial number. About Estate Jewelry: Buying jewelry online might be challenging. The quality of the making has not gotten better over the time while the design is getting more and more generic. Add ever rising prices and you could end up with not finding anything suitable. To purchase a high-quality jewelry piece for an obtainable price consider buying estate items. • Quality vs Quantity Estate pieces mostly belong to the times when jewels were handmade and not mass produced. There were simply less jewelry makers at that time and they cared about their reputation. Opposed to the current fast fashion approach, life pace was in general slower. That allowed makers to take more time to craft truly quality pieces. • Fair-Priced vs Overpriced Designer pieces aka signed pieces can cost multiple times more than their unsigned equivalents. We pay not only for an item itself but also for the brand advertising campaigns and all the buzz the name is creating. Prices for estate jewelry form differently and mostly depend on the cost paid by a seller. A pre-owned Bulgari ring and a brand-new Bulgari ring have a very appealing price difference. Ask your local jewelry store about a retail price of the desired piece and you’d be pleasantly surprised. • True value vs Seasonal rush Pre-owned jewelry retains its value. Over the time it gets rare and more expensive. Think purchasing a new car that loses its value right after you left your dealer versus buying a vintage vehicle. At Nadine Krakov Collection...
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
Superb Diamond Bracelet in White Gold by Gubelin
By Gubelin
Located in Lucerne, CH
This very fine and flexible diamond bracelt by Swiss Jeweller Gübelin is part of their Madagascar line. Designed as 34 oval elements each movable and ...
Diamond, White Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
Riviere Bracelet with Diamonds in 18 Karat White Gold
Located in Lucerne, CH
This elegant Riviere bracelet reinterprets the classic style with a refined touch. Featuring 37 brilliant-cut diamonds, each set in a round setting, it enhances the design with a dis...
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
Charming Diamond Bracelet in 18 Karat White Gold
Located in Lucerne, CH
This amusing bracelet is both classic and extraordinaire. Reminiscent of the bubbles of champagne, its charming design brightly sparkles with a fine scattering of diamonds. The bra...
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
Woven Bracelet with Diamonds in 18 Karat White Gold
Located in Lucerne, CH
An aesthetic bracelet woven with diamonds in 18 Karat white gold. The charm of the classics, embodied in elegant design and exceptional quality. 180 brilliant cut diamonds of tot. ...
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
Exceptional diamond bracelet in 18k white gold.
Located in Lucerne, CH
This exceptional diamond bracelet is crafted in 18k white gold and set with 31 brilliant-cut diamonds with a total weight of 1.90 ct. The refined design combines timeless elegance wi...
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
Sparkling Diamond Bracelet in 18K White Gold
Located in Lucerne, CH
Art Deco style, geometric openwork design and mill grain decoration. Set with 4 princess-cut diamonds totalling 0.60 ct, framed by 352 circular-cut diamonds totalling 6.10 ct. The diamonds are of G/H colour and vs clarity. The great à jour work can be admired from the back. The integrated clasp is almost invisible and protected by two security guards...
Diamond, White Gold
Floating diamonds add a dose of whimsy to this elegant timepiece.
Just because the dial says Geneva — or the alluring French version of the city's name, Genève — it doesn’t mean your timepiece was crafted in the watchmaking capital.
