Kong examines Chopard's strategic shift towards mechanical movements in its ladies' watches, recognizing a growing sophistication among female collectors. This article highlights three key models—the Happy Sport Medium Automatic, Imperiale Chrono All Black, and Imperiale Joaillerie Améthyste—showcasing Chopard's blend of haute joaillerie and horological substance.
This post is about the nice Chopard pieces for the Ladies. Recent couple of years, I observed a clear shift
of ladies' preferences in watches. Many would stereotype that the
Ladies choose just aesthetics - bejeweled pieces with a 'pacemaker'
movement. Not anymore, they are getting sophisticated. They want
something more and have learned to appreciate the works on mechanical
movements. Better yet, the Ladies are pretty affluent, easier buyers,
and fast in purchase decisions. Believe most brands have seen the trend,
and Chopard is in good position for this Ladies' segment.
Three
models will be showcased here : the Happy Sport Medium Automatic,
Imperiale Chrono All Black and the Imperiale Joaillerie Améthyste.
As this year is the 20th anniversary of the one of the Chopard's icon - the Happy Sport, it will have the honour first.
The
Happy Sport is created by the Co-President of Chopard, Caroline
Scheufele in 1993. Over the years, the Happy Sport with the enchanting
moving diamonds has achieved tremendous success and becomes one of the
icons of Chopard. The Happy Sport has various identities (like Happy
Beach, La Vie en Rose, Happy Spirit, Mystery Pink, just to mention a
few) and various forms ( square, oval and round with varying case
diameters from 30mm to 42mm). Most if not all, they are all with quartz
movements.
A 1-minute short video of Happy Sport celebrating 20th Anniversary
For
the Happy Sport 20th anniversary, Chopard has 5 variations of the Happy
Sport Medium with automatic movements, in either steel or 18K Rose Gold
case with or without diamond-set bezel to cater for various budget.
Here, we will take a look at the Happy Sport Automatic 18K Rose Gold Case with diamond-set bezel ...
The 18K Rose Gold case is 36mm diameter, the usual size of the Happy Sport Medium. Water resistance is rated to 30m.
The
time-only with date contains 7 moving-diamonds, which bring life to a
watch with their animated spin. The crystal is anti-reflective coated,
reducing glare thus, a clear view of the dial and the moving-diamonds.
The silver-toned dial is beautifully decorated with guilloché with gold-tone applied indexes, matching the tone of the hands.
Sapphire
18K gold caseback revealing the straight Côtes de Genève motif decorated
automatic movement with power reserve of 42 hours. It should be the
robust ETA 2824 2892.
The 6mm 'faceted crown' is also adorned with a
blue sapphire. A point which could be important, to have a recess on the
caseback edge near the crown to facilitate ease of pulling out the
crown, and not potentially damage the ladies' manicure.
Bracelet is a
huge chunk of 18K rose gold, with dual-surface polish. All links which
could be seen while wearing (the top and side surface) are
gloss-polished, while the underside touching the skin is matt-finished,
which besides aesthetic, would assist the watch to lightly grip the skin
and prevent it from rotating around the wrist.
Next, another strong pillar of Chopard, the redesigned Imperiale Series since 2010.
Presenting here for the more sporty and easy outgoing Ladies is the
Imperiale Chrono All Black. Available in two variations - DLC-coated
steel in rubber strap and DLC-coated steel with diamond-set bezel and
bracelet.
Imperiale Chrono All Black, in a larger diameter of 40mm steel case and
sleek 10.90 mm height. Water resistance is rated to 50m. Case,
pushers, crown and case-back, all DLC-coated.
This monochromatic
piece is extremely shimmering with everything in polish black tone
except for the markings and logo. Though it could be a smudge-magnet, it
can be easily wipe shine with any soft cloth, without concern of
scratching the hard DLC-coating.
The sapphire crystal is of super clarity, I guess it is likely to be double-side anti-reflective coated.
The centre
of the dial is decorated like embroidered cushions that monarchs used to
as their insignia. The dagger hands are hollowed out, great for
chronograph read-out when the hands are hovering above the subdials
(30-minute counter at 9H, 12-hour totaliser at 6H and small-second at
3H).
DLC-coated lotus-shaped crown sets with an onyx.
Another perspective of the crown with onyx.
The other variation, added a touch of luxury with diamond-set bezel and DLC-coated steel bracelet.
Both
variations are with solid DLC-coated caseback housing the automatic
chronograph movement, with power reserve of 42 hours. The movement
should be a solid ETA 2894-2.Finally,
the piece which has the best of Chopard - haute joaillerie and Chopard
own movement. Always wish the precedent is given to the Mille Miglia
line. The Imperiale line has overtaken.
This Imperiale Joaillerie Améthyste
has the good work of Chopard jewellery craftsmanship and within is
powered by the Chopard Calibre 01.03-C, developed and manufactured by
Chopard Fleurier Ebauches.
The 40mm diameter 18K white gold case surface is entirely set with diamonds and amethysts.
Amethysts
were used as it fits the colour theme of the 'Imperial Purple', the
colour reserved for the royalties, aristocrats and high priests during
ancient time. The lugs-design is also inspired by the columns of the
incredible ancient architectures.For some details of the design insights of Imperiale Line, please
click here to read more.
Looking close, will observe the skilful gem-setting and the attention to details.
Mother-of-pearl
dial with the imperial cushion pattern (royal insignia) and diamonds
inner-chapter-ring. Hour-markers are Amethysts.
The Chopard logo is also printed in purple, supposedly the ink is special, made from a kind of sea-snail called 'Murex'. Dagger-shaped hour and minute hands are rhodiumed.
Lugs set with faceted amethysts.
The bezel is
set with graded shades of baguette-cut amethysts, if I remembered
correctly, the amethsysts at 9H and 3H are of darker shades.
The lotus-shape white gold crown is set with brilliant-cut diamonds and a faceted amethyst.
Sapphire
case-back displaying the 4Hz automatic Chopard 01.03-C, with a power
reserve of 60 hours, a very important consideration for the Ladies.
If
the watch is worn whole day on Friday, it should have sufficient power
to continue running till following Monday, thus less adjustment for the
Ladies, and need not be concerned of chipping their manicure 
For
our Gentleman-friends here, hope you have a better picture of Chopard
offerings for the Ladies, now, mechanical movements are available
As
for our Lady-friends, please check the various models out in your
areas, and would love to hear from both genders' comments too.
Kong
This message has been edited by Kong on 2013-08-14 11:46:31 This message has been edited by Kong on 2013-08-14 11:48:07 
