CHOPARD
Celebrities, Cars
and Classics
Over the past decade, Chopard’s collections have become increasingly eclectic. Starting with the Happy Diamonds for women over three decades ago, the brand has diversified with the sporty Mille Miglia and later expanded its own technical expertise in the L.U.C collection with in-house developed and manufacturer movements. For 2009, the key theme of the collection is to build on those pillars. As always, Chopard is coming out with a limited edition version 1000 GT Miglia for the 2009 Mille Miglia race, complete with a tire-track inspired rubber strap, chrono movement and open case back. New for this year is the use of a new strap design modeled after a 60’s-era Dunlop tire tread.
The 44mm speed black version has also been created for those looking for a more sporty edge. This version uses a black diamond-like coating (DLC) on the steel along with a rose gold and crown to give the watch a more sturdy look. Finally, a titanium version has been added to the collection with an impressive horizontal guilloche dial for extra class and sportiness.
In the L.U.C collection, the brand has continued along the path of technical mastery with the new L.U.C Lunar Big Date. Accurate on the moonphase for both the northern and southern hemispheres for 122 years and COSC certified, this piece utilizes every bit of technical sophistication that has been gained by the brand over the last decade since it leapt headlong into technical watchmaking.
Also for this year, the L.U.C includes a new twist of sorts with a lady tourbillion version. This piece is truly feminine as demonstrated by the use of 8.6 carats of white diamonds on the dial yet at the same time, utilizing all of the technical expertise of an L.U.C 4T mechanical hand wound movement with nine-day power reserve.
Additionally, the ladies collection includes a number of new Happy Diamonds pieces. One such piece is the new Happy Sport Chrono using a chocolate brown ceramic case with 18-carat rose gold bezel and pushers to go along with a brown rubber strap. This particular piece takes fashion and luxury to a new level. Also new is the Happy Sport Mini Square, available in either leather strap or steel bracelet. While this watch would only barely classify as sporty due to its petite and classical appeal, it does offer an attractive everyday-wear alternative to the Chopard fan.
Chopard has always been for good causes, and this year the brand is coming out with a new timepiece dedicated to family friend Sir Elton John and the AIDS Foundation that he created. An unspecified percentage of the proceeds from the twenty-five pieces sold in this limited edition will go directly to the foundation’s efforts to combat the deadly disease.
Of course, just because it’s for a good cause doesn’t mean the watch is a slouch. The 42mm case housing a COSC-certified chronomoter chronograph movement has lots on top too. Since Chopard is famous for its use of precious stones, their use of 1.50 carats of black diamonds on the dial, 2.8 carats of black diamonds on the bezel and 3.50 carats of white diamonds on the rest of the case and the lugs is a tell-tale sign that this is unmistakably a Chopard timepiece.
