Chopard

Cost cutting is "in" for watch makers as profits are down, and making new and complex mechanical movements is a practice that is frowned upon. So watch makers get creative, and this is typically good news for consumers. Take for example this interesting new watch that I like from Chopard. Model is the Grand Prix de Monaco Historique Time Attack MF. The watch is the first digital LCD screen I have ever seen on a racing watch from the brand - it is also one of the few or only watches in this line to have a Swiss quartz movement. I like how they combine "historic" and LCD panels. Styling is simple yet very satisfying. The 42.5mm wide steel case has has a nicely rendered style and the dial is extremely easy to read and live with. The negative color LCD screen makes operating a series of functions such as a chronograph, alarms, second timezone, calendar, and countdown timer easy. The screen looks to be of a high quality so it won't look like you are wearing some odd Frankenstein replica watch. Actually the movement is likely to be a thermo-compensated quartz, because it is certified as a COSC Chronometer - which has special requirements for quartz watches in terms of accuracy and giving them such certification.

I love the retro styling of the watch as well. The portholes in the leather strap as well as the thinner lugs and tachymeter style on the bezel all have a 1970s feel to them. Some people are no doubt going to complain that you shouldn't have to pay Chopard prices for a quartz watch - but the brand is worth something, and their ability to design a nice watch is worth more. Plus, like I said above, the price of this watch is likely to be less than mechanical watches due to the type of movement. Overall I like that watch. It may not be the perfect Chopard racing watch for all people, but it will be the perfect one for enough people.

Ariel Adams publishes the luxury watch review site aBlogtoRead.com.

This watch has to have one of the most detailed Chopard watch cases I have ever seen. The image here doesn't do this fact justice, but look at the sides and rear of the watch and you get a visual treat. This limited edition of just 500 pieces 18kt gold watch steps both forward and back with a refreshing look at the Chopard racing chronograph watch line. Case size is about 48mm wide (big for the brand!) by 15mm thick. It is water resistant to 100 meters.

Likely the brand's more popular collection are the Mille Miglia watches. The nomenclature burst open a bit so that the Mille Miglia name isn't applied to all of their racing themed watches, but fans "in the know" understand the heritage. One of the most fun elements is the gold three spoke racing steering wheel that is placed on the side of the rubber coated crown. The sides of the case are all nicely milled and cut with an interesting horizontal striping. The large screw columns intentionally protrude a bit giving it a very technical feel. The crown guard and rubberized integrated chronograph pushers are nicely done in a unique style. The black on rose gold tones are extremely contemporary.

Chopard never lets down with the dials on its racing watches. The hands (in gold) are always large and have a high contrast with the dial. Three overlapping chronograph subdials are subdued, but legible. The dial itself enjoys a vertical pattering which is new to the collection, while the minute marker scaled chapter ring is futuristic and retro at the same time. Inside the watch is a base ETA automatic chronograph movement that has been COSC Chronometer certified. Lastly, no Chopard racing watch would be complete without the requisite Dunlop tire tread rubber strap. Price is about $24,000.

Ariel Adams publishes the luxury watch review site aBlogtoRead.com.

Here is a watch that for some is the holy grail of Chopard Mille Miglia watches. It combines just about everything that people like from the timepiece collection, and is a limited edition on top of that - of only 500 pieces. I am pretty psyched about this watch, and look forward to spending some time with one, you know... alone. The case is the GT XL style, meaning it is 44mm wide, and has those cool integrated chronograph pushers and crown guards. The watch case is super tough being steel coated with DLC (diamond like carbon). It is also luxurious having an 18k rose gold bezel, chronograph pushers, hands on the dial, and crown. Like the other Mille Miglia GT watches, Chopard applied some of that white, outlined numeral work on under the sapphire crystal, but made it subtle by just doing the 12 and 6 o'clock indicators that way.

The dial has some three dimensional qualities with the applied chronograph subdial rings and hour indicators painted with SuperLumiNova. The hands stand out super well for intense legibility. The dial doesn't however lose any of its racing character. You can see the reserve mounted magnifier placed under the crystal for the date window as well.

Movement is a Chronometer certified chronograph automatic, decorated and viewable through the watch's sapphire caseback. I love the traditional 1960s Dunlop tire tread pattern rubber strap that completes the look of one of the nicest racing themed watch collections of all time. Certain a start of Chopard's line up, and again, this Mille Miglia GT XL Chronograph is part of a limited edition only. Price for this Chopard Ref. 168459-6001 is $10,580.

Ariel Adams publishes the luxury watch review site aBlogtoRead.com.

Grammy Award winning rapper, "Lil' Wayne" celebrated his 27th birthday with friends, receiving a Chopard diamond encrusted watch worth a reported $1 million.

The Chopard watch was a birthday gift from friend, Brian "Birdman" Williams, who is chief executive of Cash Money Records, the record label that includes Lil Wayne as one of its featured artists, according to Scott Yeti, editor of WoooHa.com, which covers hip-hop & urban music news.

The watch was a special order from Chopard, says photographer Derick G, who was at the party. "Lil Wayne loved it," he adds. More photos and a video of the party can be seen at the photographer's blog.

Lil Wayne, whose birth name is Dwayne Michael Carter, Jr., grew up in the Hollygrove neighborhood of New Orleans. He was discovered as a teenager by Williams. In the span of his 13-year career, Lil Wayne has sold more than six million units, including "Tha Carter II (2005) which sold over 2.5 million units.

Cash Money Records is a hip hop record label founded in 1991by Williams and his brother Ronald "Slim" Williams. The upstart label has become a creative force within the independent marketplace. Other artists on its roster include the Hot Boys and producer Manny Fresh.

Cash Money Records is affiliated with Universal Records, a division of Universal Music Group, which encompasses MCA Records, MCA Records Nashville, GRP Recording Company, Geffen Records, Interscope Records, Hip-O Records, Universal Music International, MCA Music Publishing and Universal Concerts.

Swiss Chopard luxury watch and jewelry maker has just taken a substantial order from highly controversial Libyan 'supreme leader' Muammar Gaddafi. The move was politically interesting, because Gaddafi was very ticked at the Swiss because his son Hannibal Gaddafi was arrested in Geneva for something like crimes against humanity, or having the name "Hannibal." Gaddafi actually ordered a complete import embargo on all Swiss goods due to the arrest. Interestingly enough he made an exception for the large order from Chopard.

So what did he get? The order was for 250 limited edition watches valued at around 8 million Swiss Francs. They should each have the likeness of Mr. Gaddafi on them in some form and were ordered to celebrate his 40th anniversary of being in office there. Gaddafi, if evidenced by his love of "intense" sunglasses, will likely enjoy the blingy reminders of his "victories" over the competition for that long.

It is a tricky move for Chopard to accept an order from someone with such a spotty record on human rights and so forth. The company is known to be majorly hurting due to the weak economy, especially as it is pointed to the luxury industry. The move was likely due to the large amount of the order. You know what they say, desperate times call for despot orders.

Via Business Montres (in French)

Ariel Adams publishes the luxury watch review site aBlogtoRead.com.

Jewel thieves have struck in Paris once again. BBC News reports that a man in a suit and a fedora went into the Chopard store on Place Vendome and forced the staff to give him 15 pieces of jewelry at gunpoint. His haul is worth mroe than $8 million. The hold-up took place in the mid-afternoon and lasted just a couple minutes. The dapper thief, estimated to be in his 50s, then simply walked out of the store. What a way to spend a weekend.

Jeweler Chopard launched its latest fragrance, Cascade, this week in conjunction with the Cannes Film Festival. The event at Cannes' Eden Roc Hotel also included an haute jewelry collection specifically for the event. The new scent is an oriental with notes of Belle de Nuit, pink pepper, grapefruit, mandarin and orchid. It will launch in July (although a bottle has just popped up on eBay already). Over at perfume blog, Now Smell This, they are currently debating the merits of the bottle which features a design that looks a bit like a 1980s-style rhinestone earring has been draped over the top.

The Cannes event featured beautiful women and beautiful jewels, check out a few in the gallery below.

2009 has been mostly about "tradition" in new watch releases - at least from most of the major brands. Thus, in a definite departure from the "modernization" of the Mille Miglia watch over the past few years, Chopard has released this more classic looking model of their best selling men's line of watch. This is the Chopard Mille Miglia Chrono Limited Edition 2009 watch, and will come in a 42mm wide steel case with an automatic COSC certified Chronometer chronograph movement. The limited edition will have 2009 pieces available, and I am sure you can figure out where that number came from.

For me, aside from the handsome race inspired face, it is the tire tread inspired rubber strap that has always appealed to be in the Mille Miglia watch series. Modeled after Dunlop tires from the 1960s, the strap says "racing" almost too well. Despite the iconic look, the Mille Miglia is still an understated sports watch. It has everything in the right place, but is not a "loud" design. It is for the enthusiast who wants a heritage rich sport watch that has a subtle, lasting quality to it. Updated numerals on the dial are lume filled and easy to read in their no nonsense retro appeal. The dial of the watch is made from ruthenium, for the glossy gray look (which also has a hard to see sunburst finishing). Look for the watch soon at prices that I predict will be between $4,000 - $7000 .

Ariel Adams publishes the watch review site aBlogtoRead.com.

This aggressive overhaul of the Chopard women's Happy Sport Chrono watch line is a powerful departure from the line's 'cutesy' demeanor. If it wasn't for the floating diamonds and Happy Sport name, I might have mistaken this for a men's watch. The rounded links in the bracelet have been made more angular, while the deeply grooved rotating bezel is a reminder of how hard this woman's watch can punch. It is a pretty bad-ass watch for something with the word "Happy" in the title. Although price will be over $5,000, this Chopard Happy Sport Chronograph watch will feature a Swiss quartz movement and be in stainless steel (a bit pricey if you ask me). The diamonds literally move around freely - though they are placed in a metal setting - in a middle plane between two sapphire crystals. The dial with the chronograph subdials is below.

Something about the fact that Chopard chose to place this type of watch against a pink background amuses me. It certainly does suffer from some degree of gender confusion. I don't know if the pink color choice is Chopard trying to convince themselves, or trying to convince us - that this is a girly watch. It's OK, either way I accept you Chopard Happy Sport Chrono watch, whatever you are.

Ariel Adams publishes the watch review site aBlogtoRead.com.

I won't say that Chopard is hurting, but they are anticipating an economic sting based on lower than hoped-for sales at Baselworld later this month.The independently owned watch and jewelry maker employs a total of about 1,800 workers. Chopard's Karl-Friedrich Scheufele recently stated that the company would be laying off 36 employees, from their manufacturing and administration arms. The cut does not represent an immense portion of their labor force, but such companies are not known for making hasty lay-off decisions. The move is a direct result of the poor demand for luxury watches in the current economic atmosphere. The lay-offs will occur in a month or two according to Chopard. Competitors such as the Richemont Group and Cartier have also experienced job cuts, or are considering them. Until the world economy is able to begin a recovery, the luxury markets will continue to suffer demand loss.

Via Forbes.

Ariel Adams publishes the watch review site aBlogtoRead.com.

The multicolored masterpiece of a necklace you see here is on shown on the lovely neck of Amy Adams. This was one of the many pieces of "statement jewelry" we saw last night at the 2009 Oscars.

Any famous person can get a jeweler to loan them some ice for the 81st Annual Academy Awards, but nominated stars like Amy Adams walk away with pieces that look more like they came from a museum.

The Oscars is no night to hide your wealth, even during a recession. It's not like "toning down" the looks of the celebrities would make Americans feel better about their financial situations. In fact, jewelry like this is what America wants to see the most -- it's totally unaffordable, even during an economic boom; it's Hollywood fantasy.

Jeweler Fred Leighton had a great showing this year, with spectacular 19th and turn-of-the century items on everyone from Alicia Keys to Tina Fey, and even Heath Ledger's mother and sister. Chopard was the jeweler of champions; outfitting both Kate Winslet and Penelope Cruz (winners of Best Actress and Best Supporting Actress).

Check out more of the most outstanding pieces here in our gallery. This is the kind of jewelry you can't fake.

Shoving diamonds all over a tourbillon movement based watch can often have a "gaudy" result. It's hard to produce the ultra decadent and still have it appear tasteful. I believe that despite the almost half million dollar price of this Chopard Ladies Diamond Quattro Tourbillon watch, it still remains cleverly and attractively designed.

The decadence comes with the 42mm wide 18k white or rose gold case fitted with about 450 diamonds (over 10 carats) in round, baguette, and pave cuts. The watches are matched with white or pink alligator straps. Inside is Chopard's lauded L.U.C. 4T manufacture made tourbillon movement. The "Quattro" relates to the fact that the movement contain four barrels for a total power reserve of 216 hours (nine days) in this manually wound movement! Further, this Chopard L.U.C. 4T is one of the few chronometer COSC certified tourbillon movements available.

Attractive design comes from use of the classic Chopard Happy Diamond Sport watch case, and the beautiful dial layout. A gold Chopard cursive signature "C" creates the tourbillon bridge as well as the focal point of the dial display. Blued hands are clear and attractive, even for the seconds displayed via the tourbillon cage. You might have missed it at first glace, but the upper portion of the dial is reserved for the well integrated power reserve indicator, with a single ruby placed at the "empty" position.

While the Chopard Ladies Diamond Quattro Tourbillon watch with its limited edition of only 50 pieces (25 for white gold, 25 for rose gold), might be for the wealthy only, it still passes muster for attractive design without an excess of gaudy offensiveness.

Ariel Adams publishes the watch review site aBlogtoRead.com.

Put two of my favorite loves together, fine jewelry and fine wine, together and you get this beauty. Chopard's artistic director Caroline Gruosi-Scheufele has created a parure of a necklace and earrings with a grapevine motif to celebrate the Festival del Sole in Napa Valley. Fashion Week Daily reports that the pieces are set in 18K rose gold and feature white and colored diamonds as well as gemstones that mimic the colors and shapes of grapes, vines, and leaves.

The ten-day festival is a luxury affair currently underway through July 20. It features concerts and presentations as well as gourmet meals and wine events throughout Napa Valley.

Chopard and Madonna worked together once before to create the pavé diamond "Hung Up" necklace she wore on tour for her last album, and now they're in cahoots again. Designed by Chopard co-president Caroline Gruosi-Scheufele, Madonna has two sparkly new pieces of jewelry for her latest album "Hard Candy." The album art features a wrestling theme and on it Madonna wears a gold and diamond knuckle ring that says "M-dolla" in 258 brilliant cut white diamonds with a Chopard floating diamond on the "M," and a Happy Diamonds cross necklace featuring 3 diamonds. The album comes out at the end of this month.

Who doesn't like to buy a new watch that supports a good cause. Chopard's Happy Paw watches feature a floating diamond paw and five moving white diamonds in stainless steel with a dark mother of pearl dial. This watch which is finished in a colorful leather strap runs for $6,955 whereas the diamond bezel version is $15,715. In support of our little pawed friends Chopard will donate five-percent of sales of Happy Paw watches to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. The company is also sponsoring the 11th Annual ASPCA Bergh Ball on April 17th at The Plaza.