Karl-Friedrich Scheufele reworked his 1980 St. Moritz into the Alpine Eagle, a steel sports watch with an integrated bracelet, designed across three family generations.
2018
From July 2018 Chopard committed to using only gold it describes as ethical, from small-scale certified mines or RJC-certified refineries, across all its watches and jewellery.
1998
Chopard became official partner of the Cannes Film Festival and has made the Palme d'Or in its Geneva workshops since.
1996
Chopard set up its own movement manufacturing facility in Fleurier.
1993
Caroline Scheufele designed the Happy Sport, putting free-moving diamonds inside a steel sports watch.
1988
Chopard became a partner of the Mille Miglia car rally.
1980
Karl-Friedrich Scheufele, then 22, designed the St. Moritz, the house's first sports watch and its first model in steel.
1976
Chopard began making watches with free-floating diamonds behind sapphire glass.
1963
Paul-André Chopard sold the company to Karl Scheufele III, whose family still owns it.
1937
Chopard moved from the Jura to Geneva, where Paul-André Chopard, grandson of the founder, carried on the family firm.
1860
Founded in Sonvilier, Switzerland by Louis-Ulysse Chopard.
Firsts and innovations
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2000. The L.U.C Quattro used four barrels stacked in two pairs for a nine-day power reserve; Chopard calls it a world first and Monochrome the first hand-wound calibre with four stacked barrels.
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2016. The L.U.C Full Strike, Chopard's first minute repeater, strikes on sapphire gongs cut from the same block as the crystal, which Chopard calls a first in watchmaking; it won the Aiguille d'Or at the 2017 GPHG.
Jacky Ickx is a long-serving ambassador of the brand. Six-time Le Mans winner who first drove the 1000 Miglia alongside Karl-Friedrich Scheufele in 1989; Chopard calls him a long-serving ambassador and dedicated the 2024 Mille Miglia Classic Chronograph JX7 to him.
Became Chopard's ambassador and the face of the Happy Sport campaign in April 2021, in films directed by Xavier Dolan; WWD reported in 2024 that Bella Hadid took over the role from her.
More Chopard references, by line
Lines without a guide page yet: every reference we list for them, with its strap size.
Happy Diamonds
Happy Diamonds Icons 209415-500410 mm
IMPERIALE
IMPERIALE 388563-6005Width not listed yet
L.U.C 1860
L.U.C 1860 168860-300318 mm
L.U.C 1963
L.U.C 1963 Heritage Chronograph 168556-300220 mm
L.U.C Flying
L.U.C Flying T Twin Ladies 131981-5001Width not listed yet
L.U.C GMT
L.U.C GMT One 161943-500120 mm
L.U.C GMT One Black 168579-300420 mm
L.U.C Heritage
L.U.C Heritage Grand Cru 162296-500119 mm
L.U.C Heritage Grand Cru 172296-100119 mm
L.U.C Qualité
L.U.C Qualité Fleurier 168631-300119 mm
L.U.C Quattro
L.U.C Quattro 161926-500122 mm
L.U.C Quattro Spirit 25 161977-100119 mm
L.U.C Strike
L.U.C Strike One 161949-100120 mm
L.U.C Time
L.U.C Time Traveler One 161942-900120 mm
L.U.C Time Traveler One Black 168574-300820 mm
Pure Resonance
Pure Resonance Ultimate Sapphire 16-8934-BLK-SDV19 mm
FAQ
What lug width do Chopard watches use?
19 mm is the most common (29% of Chopard references with a listed width), followed by 20 mm and 21 mm.
Do all Chopard watches take the same strap size?
No. Chopard uses 6 different lug widths across its collections, so check your exact model or reference.
When was Chopard founded?
Chopard was founded in 1860 in Sonvilier, Switzerland by Louis-Ulysse Chopard.
Who are Chopard's ambassadors?
Over the years Chopard has partnered with Jacky Ickx (from 1989), Zhang Ziyi (from 2019), Julia Roberts (from 2021).
Help
What is lug width?
The gap between the two lugs that hold the strap, in millimetres. A new strap must match it exactly: 20 mm lugs take a 20 mm strap.
Measure it in 30 seconds
Take the strap off, or look at the back of it: many straps print their width.
Measure the inside gap between the lugs with a caliper or a millimetre ruler.
Round to the nearest whole millimetre. Most watches use 18, 20 or 22 mm.
Strap, quick release or system?
Most watches use spring bars, so any strap of the right width fits. Many smartwatches use their own band system instead, such as Apple Watch bands or Garmin QuickFit.