Chopard | Jewellery and watches for sale, auction results and history

Chopard is one of the leading names in the luxury Swiss watch and jewellery industry. It is best known for its creative ingenuity, pioneering technology and artisan workmanship. Today, Chopard watches and Chopard jewellery are among the most coveted luxury goods in the world.

Founded in Sonvilier, Switzerland in 1860 by Louis-Ulysse Chopard, the house soon forged a reputation for ultra-thin and high-precision pocket watches suitable for daily wear. In 1885, Chopard was appointed official watch provider to the Swiss Railway Company and Tsar Nicholas II of Russia.

In the late 1930s, Chopard relocated to Geneva. In 1941, Karl Scheufele II took over the company, which remains in the Scheufele family to this day.

During the 1960s and 1970s, Chopard expanded rapidly and enjoyed a resurgence in popularity. This is thanks in part to the launch of Chopard Happy Diamonds, a collection of watches featuring diamonds that can move freely across the dial between two sapphire crystals. Chopard floating diamond watches are still one of the brand’s most successful innovations. A unique Happy Diamond wristwatch achieved the highest Chopard watch price at Christie’s when it realised CHF 1,685,000 in 2015.

The 1980s saw the launch of Chopard’s first luxury sports watch and its first jewellery collection featuring the brand’s now-iconic Happy Clown motif. Since then, Chopard has released the Happy Hearts collection, the Precious Lane collection and the Ice Cube collection, among others. Chopard heart bracelets, necklaces and rings are revered for their delicate, stackable design, while Chopard Ice Cube rings, necklaces, bracelets and earrings are prized for their geometric design.

The 1990s saw the release of the Chopard Happy Sport watch, featuring floating diamonds across the dial. The decade also saw Chopard become an official partner of the Cannes International Film Festival.

In 2010, Chopard celebrated its 150th anniversary with the launch of its Haute Joaillerie Animal World Collection. Less than a decade later, the company announced its commitment to using 100 per cent ethical gold for the production of all its luxury watches and jewellery.

In 2019, the company launched the Chopard Alpine Eagle watch. Other signature men’s watches include Chopard’s L.U.C collection and the Chopard Mille Miglia collection.

Chopard earrings, bracelets and necklaces set with diamonds are regularly sold at Christie’s. In 2017, a dazzling Chopard necklace with a detachable pear-shaped diamond, weighing approximately 56.03 carats, sold for CHF 6,255,500 at Christie’s Geneva. Chopard rings, engagement rings, cufflinks and diamond watches are also popular with collectors.