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 Stainless Steel Gold Tone Table Desk Alarm Clock, Pre-Owned
By Chopard
Located in New York, NY
Brand: Chopard Alarm Clock Material: Stainless Steel Yellow Gold Tone Condition: Pre-Owned Clack Dimension: Length: 34" Width: 31" Thickness: 0.95" Weight: 447.2gr
Gold, Yellow Gold
Chopard Ice Cube 32MM 13/6858 18K Yellow Gold Diamond Quartz Watch
By Chopard
Located in Houston, TX
Brand: Chopard Gender: Ladies Diameter: 32.00 mm Weight: 81.73 grams One ladies 18K yellow gold, diamond Chopard Swiss-made wristwatch with original box. The "CHOPARD " trademark...
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Chopard Happy Diamonds 18K Yellow Gold Men Watch Ref 1153
By Chopard
Located in Miami, FL
Introducing the elegant Extra large Chopard Happy Diamonds 18k Yellow Gold Women's Watch, Model 1153. This luxurious timepiece features a 34mm yellow gold case and a matching 18mm gold bracelet that measures 7.75" Long with original floating diamond. The diamond-accented bezel perfectly complements the gold dial, which showcases a refined linen pattern. With a minimalist design, this watch boasts an analog display powered by precise Swiss quartz movement. Perfect for those who appreciate luxury and sophistication, the Chopard Happy Diamonds watch...
Diamond, Yellow Gold
Chopard Ice Cube Diamond Watch
By Chopard
Located in New York, NY
Finely crafted in 18k yellow gold Round Brilliant cut Diamonds weighing approximately a total of 8.90 carats. Signed by Chopard, from their Ice Cube collection Model #856 Size 6 inches
Diamond, 18k Gold
Chopard Ladies Wristwatch 18k Yellow Gold with Diamonds Ref. 5031-1
By Chopard
Located in Berlin, DE
Chopard Ladies Wristwatch 18k Yellow Gold with Diamonds Ref. 5031-1 Beautiful dainty ladies wristwatch by Chopard made of 18 carat yellow gold with dia...
Diamond
Chopard L.U.C Ref. 810 Diamond Bezel with Integrated 18K Gold Bracelet, 1980's
By Chopard
Located in PARIS, FR
Chopard Genève L.U.C Ref. 810 – 18K Yellow Gold & Diamond Jewelry Watch – Circa 1980 Rare and elegant Chopard Genève L.U.C Ref. 810, crafted entirely in 18K yellow gold and produced circa 1980. This refined jewelry watch perfectly illustrates Chopard's distinctive approach to luxury watchmaking during the late twentieth century, combining precious materials, sophisticated design and traditional mechanical watchmaking. The watch features a beautifully executed integrated 18K yellow gold bracelet with a satin finish, demonstrating the exceptional jewelry craftsmanship for which Chopard is renowned. Its supple construction and harmonious proportions allow it to be worn as both a fine timepiece and an elegant piece of jewelry. The minimalist gold-tone dial is enhanced by applied gold hour markers and slender baton hands, preserving the watch's understated elegance. Surrounding the dial is a bezel set with 32 brilliant-cut diamonds totaling approximately 1 carat, providing a refined sparkle while maintaining the overall balance of the design. Powering the watch is the hand-wound Chopard calibre 2512 RZ, a reliable mechanical movement that complements the traditional character of the piece. The 26 mm case offers elegant proportions and excellent wearability, while the integrated bracelet creates a seamless visual flow characteristic of the most successful jewelry watch designs of the period. The watch was fully serviced in May 2026 and is running perfectly. Specifications • Maker: Chopard Genève L.U.C • Reference: 810 • Period: Circa 1980 • Case Number: 401442 • Case: 18K yellow gold (750/1000) • Bezel: Set with 32 brilliant-cut diamonds (approximately 1 carat total) • Dial: Gold-tone dial with applied gold indexes • Hands: Gold baton hands • Movement: Chopard Calibre 2512 RZ • Type: Manual-winding mechanical movement • Bracelet: Integrated 18K yellow gold bracelet with satin finish • Clasp: Signed Chopard clasp • Diameter: 26 mm • Bracelet Length: Approximately 17 cm • Weight: 50.1 g Included • Chopard presentation box • Chopard travel pouch • Service documentation Condition Excellent overall condition. Particularly well preserved, with no visible oxidation or notable wear. Running perfectly following recent servicing. An elegant and increasingly uncommon Chopard jewelry...
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Chopard Casmir Watch
By Chopard
Located in Boca Raton, FL
Brand: Chopard Model: Casmir Case Material: 18k Yellow Gold Case Diameter: 24mm Bezel: Smooth 18k yellow gold Dial: White dial with gold hour and minute hands Bracelet: Stainless ste...
18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Stainless Steel
Chopard Happy Diamonds Sport 18 Karat Gold Ladies Watch
By Chopard
Located in Berlin, DE
Quartz movement. 18 Karat original Gold clasp. 100 percent original product! Including original certificate of authenticity. You will receive the watch with a new battery service.
18k Gold
Gold & Steel Chopard St Moritz Automatic Wrist Watch
By Chopard
Located in Antwerp, BE
18 Kt Gold & Steel Chopard St Moritz Automatic Wrist Watch with Chopard Box Dial : White Movement : Mechanical With Automatic Winding Case &...
Gold, Steel
1950s Cartier Vintage Gold Eight Day Desk Clock
By Cartier
Located in Miami, FL
This aesthetically captivating authentic circa 1950 Cartier eight-day desk clock is made with a solid 14K yellow gold case. It is rendered in artfully textured gold, adding a glitter...
14k Gold, Gold
David Petersen England DP / BT Boite Carriage Clock, 8 Days, 11 Jewels, B&P's.
Located in Canterbury, England
Our lovely David Peterson Carriage clock is assembled in brass and gold plate and features a manually wound 8 day reserve movement with 11 jewels. David Peterson specialise in high q...
Swiss Emperor, 34mm gold plated case with date function, art deco style, c1968
Located in Canterbury, England
Our very attractive Swiss Emperor features a 34mm gold plated case with date function, and art deco style dial, powered by an automatic movement. This is a very stylish gold plated m...
Audemars Piguet Ultrathin, 18ct Yellow Gold Dresswatch, Hallmarked, c1960's
By Jaeger-LeCoultre
Located in Canterbury, England
Our vintage and very attractive manually wound Audemars Piguet Ultrathin features a yellow gold 18ct square case of 25mm x 25mm exc crown and lugs which measures just 4.7mm thickness...
Cartier Must de Cartier Tank vermeil, large size heavy gold plated steel, c1980
By Aldo Cipullo for Cartier
Located in Canterbury, England
Our vintage and rare Cartier Must de Cartier Tank vermeil features a large size heavy gold plated sterling silver case of 23 x 30mm, with extremely rare and desirable Trinity dial: t...
Brass Cased Naval Bridge / Desk Clock by Waltham Watch Co. USA. 17 Jewel, 1930
By American Waltham Watch Co.
Located in Canterbury, England
Our very rare brass cased naval bridge / desk clock by Waltham Watch Co. USA is manually wound (7 jewel) with an eight day power reserve. These type were fitted for local time keepin...
Swiss Emperor 17 jewel inclobloc manual wind, 33mm gold plated steel case, c1966
Located in Canterbury, England
Our vintage Swiss Emperor 17 jewel inclobloc manual wind features a 33mm gold plated steel case with highly legible dial. We date manufacture to c.1966 , this is a great mid century ...
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.
