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 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 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
18k Chopard LUC Ladies Manual watch. Vintage Chopard 18k Yellow gold Watch.
By Chopard
Located in Port Charlotte, FL
This is a rare piece that does not come up for sale often. In fact, you will probably not see one like this for sale. Elegant and minimalistic wristwatch and bracelet. 18k Gold panther bracelet with a manual watch hidden under a golden flap. LUC Chopard...
Gold, 18k Gold
Chopard Happy Diamonds in 18k gold Ref. 204292-0001
By Chopard
Located in Berlin, BE
For sale is a stunning L.U. Chopard Geneve Happy Diamonds ladies' wristwatch. This exquisite timepiece comes with a pink leather strap and an additional black replacement strap. This...
Diamond, 18k Gold
$31,200Sale Price|20% Off
Chopard 3 Carat 18k Yellow Gold Watch
By Chopard
Located in Chicago, IL
This stunning Chopard timepiece features natural diamonds totaling approximately 3.02 carats. With a case diameter of 19mm (excluding the crown) and a band width of 14mm, this watch ...
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Chopard Watch in 18 Karat Gold Baignoire Model Women's Diamonds Vintage
By Chopard
Located in Paris, FR
CHOPARD Lady's Watch Baignoire Model in 18-Carat Yellow Gold and Diamonds Vintage Original leather bracelet signed Chopard Genève and original gold-plated clasp The 18-carat yellow g...
Diamond, Gold, 18k 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 Ladies Yellow Gold Diamond "H" Quartz Wristwatch
By Chopard
Located in New York City, NY
Elegant lady's 18K yellow gold and diamond wristwatch from the "H" collection by Chopard. It features a diamond dial, with round brilliant-cut diamonds on the bezel. Quartz movement. With original Chopard leather strap...
Diamond, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
Chopard Happy Sport 8246 Two-Tone Floating Diamond and Ruby 1990 Vintage Watch
By Chopard
Located in Miami, FL
Vintage Chopard Happy Sport Ref 8246 ladies quartz 26mm watch in two-tone 18K yellow gold and stainless steel, featuring the iconic 5 floating round brilliant diamonds between dial and sapphire crystal, cream Roman numeral dial, ruby cabochon lug accents, and the signature two-tone beaded bubble-link bracelet. Circa 1990. Fits up to 6 inch wrist. Product Specifications: Brand: Chopard Model: Happy Sport Reference Number: 8246 Metal: 18K Yellow Gold and Stainless Steel (two-tone) Case Width: 26mm Movement: Quartz Dial: Cream/white with Roman numerals Indices: Roman numerals (IX, XII visible) Crystal: Sapphire with 5 floating round brilliant diamonds inside Bezel Type: Round, smooth Length: Up to 6 inches Weight: 66 Grams Lugs: Ruby cabochon accents at all four lug positions Band Material: Two-tone beaded/bubble-link bracelet Period: 1990 About Chopard Happy Sport: The Chopard Happy Sport was created in 1993 by Caroline Scheufele, co-president of Chopard, as a deliberate challenge to the convention that diamonds must always be fixed and formal. Chopard, founded in Sonvilier, Switzerland in 1860 and now headquartered in Geneva, has been a leading independent Swiss luxury watch and jewelry house for over 160 years. The Happy Sport became an immediate icon upon its release — the first watch in history to feature freely floating diamonds inside the crystal — and it transformed Chopard from a respected watchmaker into a global luxury fashion statement. The combination of sports watch proportions, precious stone accents, and the playful animated diamond element created a watch that appealed equally to jewelry lovers and watch enthusiasts in a way no previous timepiece had managed. Collectors prize early Happy Sport pieces, particularly two-tone ruby lug variants, for their rarity, their historical significance as the original floating diamond watches...
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold
Majestic Chopard genve wrist watch Gstaad 33/8120
By Chopard
Located in Berlin, BE
Chopard Gstaad Quartz Watch Description Brand: Chopard Model: Gstaad Reference Number: 33/8120 Movement: Quartz Case Material: Gold/Stainless Steel Bracelet Material: Gold/Stainless...
18k Gold, Stainless Steel
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.
