Replica Chopard Watches

To add to their 150th Anniversary releases, Chopard present a new limited edition piece – the Chopard L.U.C Tourbillon Esprit de Fleurier.The piece bears tribute to both Louis-Ulysse Chopard who established a watch*** business in 1860 and to the unique and beautiful art of Fleurisanne engraving, a technique which can be appreciated through the open-worked dial and the sapphire crystal caseback.Chopard L.U.C Tourbillon Esprit de FleurierThe Chopard L.U.C Tourbillon Esprit de Fleurier measures 40.5mm and has a case constructed from 18 carat white gold.  The satin brushed 18 carat gold dial features a one minute tourbillon at 6 o’clock, combined with seconds counter, gold numerals and hour markers and blued steel hands – a rich combination of precious metals and finishes, yet the star of the show has to be the intricate tapestry of fine hand engraving which makes this piece truly special.Inside is the C.O.S.C. certified hand wound L.U.C. 4TT3NGM Calibre with 18 carat gold mainplate and bridges and a generous power reserve of 8 days, marked by an indicator at 2 o’clock.The Chopard L.U.C Tourbillon Esprit de FleurierThe Chopard L.U.C Tourbillon Esprit de Fleurier comes presented on a hand stitched black alligator strap and is water resistant to 30 metres – as if you’d dare let even a micro drop of water near it…….. A true collectors watch, this will be a limited edition of just 15 pieces worldwide.Popularity: 8% [?]|||No Comment Chopard Classic Racing Supe***st ChronoPosted bySylvia McElherroninSeptember 5th 2010Chopard present a new chronograph piece to add to their 150th Anniversary releases – the Classic Racing Supe***st Chrono.  Fans of the brand will be aware of their connections with the world of classic cars, which not only inspire their sporty pieces, but also keep the boss content with a diary full of vintage car events, races, lunches and casual get-togethers with old friends.The Supe***st Chrono is part of the successful Chopard Classic Racing collection and quite a sizable collection it is too, including the Grand Prix de Monaco Historique watches, the Jacky Ickx pieces and the Mille Miglia series.  I am a fan – I love the blatantly car-inspired styling,  a white dial 1000 Mille Miglia GMT Chrono was the best watch I never owned – I was outbid and it still hurts, ok it would quite possibly have looked ridiculous on my girly wrist but I would have made that chunky rubber strap fit… somehow.The Chopard Classic Racing Supe***st models are the ones with the large Arabic number 12 and the vertical go-fast stripes on the dial.  This one has a frosted black dial with rhodium-plated stripes and these lines also feature on the case sides.The Chopard Classic Racing Supe***st ChronoThe counters overlap to pleasing effect allowing that outsize number 12 the whole upper part of the dial for added impact, the hour counter at the 6 o’clock position also has an integrated date window.  The rectangle pushers integrate into the case at 2 and 4 o’clock and are black rubber-moulded for added grip.  The Classic Racing Collection’s vintage steering wheel emblem appears on the crown.The Chopard Classic Racing Supe***st ChronoThe piece features an ETA Calibre 2894.2 self-winding Chronograph with COSC certified accuracy and power reserve of 42 hours and is sure to appeal to a wide spectrum of car nuts from vintage veterans to would-be racers.The Chopard Classic Racing Supe***st Chrono comes presented on the iconic Dunlop tyre tread rubber strap.Popularity: 19% [?]|||No Comment Chopard Gran Turismo XL Alfa Romeo Anniversary EditionsPosted byJohnny McElherroninJuly 1st 2010Chopard have some great looking watches in their Mille Miglia and Gran Turismo collections, and regular updates or limited editions over the years help to ensure that interest is strong on the brand.This year, to commemorate their 150th anniversary, they have revisited their Gran Turismo XL and also joined forces with a rejuvenated Alfa Romeo, who coincidentally are popping the champagne round their way too this year as 2010 also marks their centenial anniversary.And so, to commemorate both companies’ milestones in 2010, Chopard have unveiled a fab limited edition range of watches – and desk/travel clocks too.Chopard Gran Turismo XL Alfa Romeo ChronometerThe Chopard Gran Turismo XL Alfa Romeo collections are available in three guises; as automatic C.O.S.C. chronometer in a 44mm stainless steel case or the Gran Turismo XL Alfa Romeo C.O.S.C. Chronograph, which is available in 44mm stainless steel or cool Diamond-Like-Carbon (DLC) version. The three models are available in a limited run of 500 pieces each.Gran Turismo XL Alfa Romeo ChronometerGran Turismo XL Alfa Romeo Chronograph in SteelGran Turismo XL Alfa Romeo Chronograph in DLC-coated steelAll three versions come on the Dunlop ‘radial’ tyre natural rubber strap and the combination of red, white, steel and black do set the pulse racing, especially with the Alfa Romeo logo inscribed in rosso red on the black dial.The watches are all powered by ETA-based automatic chronometer movements.I also mentioned that the collaboration carried over into a travel clock and a desk clock, both faithful hommages to the Gran Turismo XL watch.The Gran Turismo XL Alfa Romeo Travel and Desk ClocksHaving spent four (mostly) happy years as the owner of a wonderful-sounding 3-litre Alfa Romeo 166, I have to confess a little bit of bias here, but heck, when a collection such as this comes around  – to celebrate big birthdays for both brands – it would be rude not to mention them here in The Watch Press.Popularity: 13% [?]|||No Comment Chopard Grand Prix de Monaco Historique Chronograph 2010Posted bySylvia McElherroninMay 2nd 2010Chopard present the Chopard Grand Prix de Monaco Historique Chronograph 2010.Chopard Grand Prix de Monaco Historique StartlineOld grand prix cars never die…… they get tuned up and transported back to Monaco every two years for the Grand Prix de Monaco Historique.  The Automobile Club of Monaco organise the biannual event and it serves as the perfect hors d'oeuvre for the F1 Grand Prix which screams through the streets of the Principality of Monaco two weeks later.  Chopard are official timekeepers for the event which provides them with the opportunity to issue some very tasty race-inspired chronographs.The Chopard Grand Prix de Monaco Historique collection of watches are classically styled and slightly understated, perfect if you like precision accuracy without being too showy.  The 2010 chronograph features subtle Monaco Historique branding on the dial and has the Automobile Club de Monaco logo engraved on the caseback.  Early releases in this collection were only available in gold but since 2006 a stainless steel version has also been issued, both versions are again released this year, with the 18 carat rose gold edition limited to 250 pieces.Popularity: 27% [?]|||No Comment The Chopard Happy Sport 150th Anniversary Edition WatchPosted bySylvia McElherroninApril 26th 2010The aptly named Chopard Happy Diamond portfolio of watches is I feel impossible to dislike, ok maybe some of the “mother-of-the-bride” pastel shaded chronograph editions are a bit too sugar coated but the collection has a broad appeal and without doubt has gained Chopard a younger client  base worldwide.The original concept was apparently inspired by one of Chopard’s designers, who while walking in the woods noticed how the droplets of water from a wate***ll sparkled in the sunlight and had the idea of recreating the mesmerising effect of movement on a watch dial.  Using diamonds with the underside rounded off and the top sides polished, the stones could move freely without causing scratching.  The first Happy Diamonds watch made its debut at Baselworld in 1977 featuring a square-ish watchcase with hours and minutes in a centre disc around which 30 Top Wesselton diamonds playfully moved.  The piece had a plain dial without numerals allowing for full effect of the free-moving stones, a plainness recreated for the 150th Anniversary Chopard Happy Sport Edition.The Chopard Happy Sport 150th AnniversaryThe Chopard Happy Sport 150th Anniversary edition features five star-shaped diamonds superbly contrasted with a midnight blue “aventurine-effect” lacquered dial, complimented by a midnight blue leather or satin strap.  Absence of numerals, an unfusssy dial and a colourway perfectly suited to showing off the full effect of the diamonds make this celebratory piece a brilliant little beauty.The Chopard Happy Sport 150th Anniversary watch is limited to 1000 pieces, also available are  a blue sapphire set bezel version (here comes the fussyness) limited to 500 pieces and a diamond set bezel version (ditto) available, also limited to 500 pieces worldwide.Popularity: 4% [?]|||No Comment Chopard watchPosted byJohnny McElherroninMay 11th 2009ChopardWhen, in 1860, the young Louis-Ulysse Chopard first established his watch*** business in the small Swiss town of Sonvilier, it was always going to be different to the many similar-sized watchmakers then active in the Jura region. For Chopard had his eyes quite firmly fixed on a sector which could be permeated only with a combined focus on the quality of the finished product, and accessing the desired marketplace.Chopard was able to raise his brand to a level above many of his current contemporaries by creating his own exclusive high-precision movements, many of which were manufactured to the demanding Chronometre standard, a rarified sector indeed. Encased in finely-finished pocketwatches, the Chopard manufacture was building its reputation based on innovation and quality.Once the quality of the product had been established, Chopards' next coup de grace was to venture further outside the normal catchment area of his time, and by doing so was able to break into the lucrative and enthusiastic new markets which largely consisted of the noble classes in Russia and the Scandinavian countries. By the turn of the century, the Chopard name was familiar to the society circles across wider Europe.The dark years of war had their inevitable effect on non-essential industry and largely watch*** naturally fell into irrelevance to the greater population. By the time peace would return to central Europe, the Chopard company would have a new figurehead in the person of Paul-André Chopard, grandson of the founder and who importantly shared his grandfathers vision for the business as well as the energy of youth.As the Chopard name had by now become recognised as one of the more exclusive Swiss watchmakers, the new Patron made the decision at the end of the hostilities of the Great War to relocate the manufacture and comptoir de vente to Geneve, and in 1920 the new facility opened for business.Under the banner "Agence de la Fabrique de Montres L.U.C" the Chopard name was one which the well-heeled loved to show off. As the manufacture moved with the times and continued to produce fine wrist and pocketwatches it had become a darling of the fashionista set.The continuity of the Chopard family involvement however came to an end in 1963 when Paul-André, having been at the helm for over forty years, found that his natural successors – his sons – did not have the dedication nor the desire required to navigate the brand into a new generational era.Discretely Chopard sought a suitable successor and was delighted to find interest from a kindred spirit who had similarly been immersed in the watch*** tradition since his early days. Karl Scheufele, a third generation watchmaker and jeweller from the German town of Pforzheim. It is recorded that following a brief meeting, the two men agreed the terms which would quickly see the famous manufacture under new ownership.Aware of the heritage associated with the name he had acquired, Scheufele was to have a profound impact on Chopard. He saw the potential to incorporate the fine jewellery with which he had a vast experience into the Chopard portfolio, a concept which would work in two ways. Now as well as the manufacture of prestigious timepieces, Chopard began producing a range of distinctive and high quality jewellery which was almost instantly popular with the existing Chopard clientele as well as reaching out to a new market.Karl Scheufele had successfully raised the profile of the Chopard brand and simultaneously added a lucrative new product line to the business.Following the successful restructuring of the brand, Scheufele and his family steered Chopard through new territory. Recognising and capitalizing on its' prominence, new Chopard boutiques were opened in Europe and the Far East, underlining the fact that it had moved on from being a respected but low-profile manufacturer of fine watches and jewellery to becoming, by the late 1980s, an internationally recognised luxury brand too.A significant 'miglio-stone' in 1988 too, when Chopard became a title sponsor to the rebirth of the Mille Miglia, the legendary '1000-mile' open road Italian motor race. A succession of highly popular Mille Miglia motorsport-themed watches have been produced on a yearly basis since this affiliation began which have become one of the cornerstones of Chopards' watch business.The Scheufele family continued to consolidate the position of the Chopard brand by returning to the original values of the founder. In 1996 a brand new in-house movement (the first such in many years) was unveiled following three years development in the brand new Fleurier manufacture, back in the Swiss watch*** heartland of the Val de Travers.Named in honour of the founder, these new L.U.C movements would go on to win multiple prestigious industry awards, as well as once again bringing the Chopard name back into the exclusive 'manufacture de haute horologie' elite.The Chopard brand now boasts more than 100 boutiques worldwide. Still very much a family business, with Karl Scheufele and his wife Karin having ushered in the second generation of the family to oversee the multinational operations of this prestigious manufacture.Had he been around, Louis-Ulysse Chopard may have been saddened by the ending of the family involvement in 1964, but he would most likely be proud that, some 150 years after he first created his first works, the family name was in safe hands and still adorned watches of the highest quality and innovation, and were renowned the world over.That seems to be what he had set out to achieve….Popularity: 3% [?]

Cuervo Y Sobrinos The Watch Press are always pleased to feature watchmakers whose watches and history are often somewhat less than conventional, and on this occasion we would like to introduce to readers who might not be familiar, to Cuervo Y Sobrinos.  Our story takes us back to the heat and humidity, the noise, the colour [...]Read More|||No Comment Blancpain 500 Fathoms Only Watch reaches €22,000 at auction.Posted byJohnny McElherroninSeptember 28th 2009under:NewsTags: Blancpain 500 Fathoms, Blancpain 500 Fathoms OnlyWatch #1/1, Blancpain Monaco Boat Show, Blancpain Watch With a starting guide price of €15,000, a unique Blancpain 500 Fathoms No. 1/1 edition fetched €22,000 at the latest OnlyWatch auction held on September 24.Read More|||No Comment Blancpain unveil new 500 Fathoms at Cannes International Boat ShowPosted byJohnny McElherroninSeptember 17th 2009under:Blancpain, NewsTags: Blancpain unveil new 500 Fathoms at Cannes International Boat Show, Blancpain Watch, New Blancpain 500 Fathoms This weekend Blancpain choose the sublime location of the "Vieux Port" in Cannes to launch the latest in its collection of diving watches, the all-new 500 Fathoms series at the Cannes International Boat Show.  Termed the " big sister" of the original Fifty Fathoms, first released in the 1950's, the 500 Fathoms features a brushed [...]Read More|||No Comment Doxa watchPosted byJohnny McElherroninSeptember 7th 2009under:DoxaTags: Doxa Divers watch, Doxa history, Doxa profile, Doxa Sub, Doxa watchThe Watch Press spotlight this time turns onto another one of our favourite brands although not one with the highest of profiles – Doxa.Read More|||1 Comment Daniel Roth watch makerPosted byJohnny McElherroninAugust 12th 2009under:Daniel RothTags: Daniel Roth Breguet, Daniel Roth profile, Daniel Roth watch, Daniel Roth watchmaker Daniel Roth is one of the modern mas