Happy Sport Métiers d’art

Majestic creativity, excellent craftsmanship

To mark the 25^th birthday of the Happy Sport line, Chopard has enlisted the talented exponents of the most prestigious artistic crafts in creating four exceptional models issued in 25-piece limited editions. The Mains d’Art of the Maison – meaning its most expert specialised artisans – have employed ancestral techniques in patiently crafting materials that are as precious as they are fragile. Remarkable treasures of meticulous care and creativity, these four original watches embody the excellence of the skills cultivated by Chopard.

In 1993, Caroline Scheufele, now Co-President and Creative Director at Chopard, imagined a sports watch based on an unprecedented and offbeat association. At a time when it was deemed unthinkable to combine the precious nature of diamonds with such a sporty metal as steel, she came up with the innovative idea of combining them for the very first time in the history of jewellery. Whereas diamonds had already been released from their setting, Caroline Scheufele now wished to desacralize them, while detracting nothing from their magic or their fascination. They are thus no longer reserved for solemn occasions, instead taking their place in the rhythms of daily life: teamed with jeans, sports shoes, high heels or in the office, Happy Sport accompanies women in the many facets of their lives. Since its creation, the Happy Sport line has been perpetually reinvented, in step with the evolutions in style and in society of which it is a vibrant symbol. To celebrate the 25^th birthday of this emblematic collection in due style, the Maison has called upon its “Mains d’Art” (literally, ‘art hands’) – representing its most precious talents – in creating four models constituting veritable works of art.

Happy Palm

Glamour forever

As official historic partner of the Cannes International Film Festival, responsible for designing and producing the Palme d’or trophy since 1998, Chopard is now unveiling a model inspired by the prestigious award. Made of Fairmined-certified ethical gold – like the Palme d’or itself – and studded with diamonds, the Happy Palm reflects the quintessence of glamour. Resplendent evening gowns, sparkling jewellery, light bulbs popping around the luminous trophy: all the glittering magic of the Festival is thus encapsulated in a watch. Five moving diamonds and a miniature “Palme d’or” dance around the finely crafted mother-of-pearl dial. Masterfully reproducing the delicacy of a palm leaf, it is adorned with Urushi lacquer, a resin harvested in Asia from the eponymous trees and decorated using the ancestral Japanese art of maki-e (literally ‘sprinkled image’). Using infinitely accurate touches, the artisan traced and accentuated the dial motifs by dusting fine gold particles onto the still damp lacquer. No less than 170 hours of work were lavished on creating this dazzling plant-life motif.

Meanwhile, the case-back reveals equally spectacular artwork, since the L.U.C 96.23-L movement is adorned with slender ‘Palmes d’or’, hand-engraved using the Fleurisanne technique. This refined art, born in the 19^th century in the Swiss village that is home to the Manufacture Chopard, developed a reputation that spread as far afield as China. It is distinguished by its raised motifs: instead of hollowing the motoif out of the material, the engraver makes it stand out by removing the surrounding matter. Keen to perpetuate this endangered skill, Chopard has trained Fleurisanne engraving artisans within its own workshops. The Happy Palm is paired with an alligator leather strap coated with 24-carat gold or entirely set with diamond.

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Happy Palm

25-piece limited series in 18-carat yellow gold
Boutique Exclusive

Case:
Fairmined-certified ethical 18-carat yellow gold
Total diameter: 36.00 mm
Thickness : 12.09 mm
Water resistance: 30 metres
Facetted crown in 18-carat yellow gold set with a diamond: 6.00 mm
Facetted cabochons in 18-carat yellow gold
Bezel in Fairmined-certified ethical 18-carat yellow gold set with diamonds of varying sizes
Glareproofed sapphire crystal
Exhibition back secured with screws, bearing Happy Sport logo and fitted with a glareproofed sapphire crystal pane

Movement:
Mechanical self-winding: L.U.C 96.23-L
Total diameter: 27.40 mm
Thickness: 3.30 mm
Number of jewels: 29
Frequency: 28,800 vph
Power reserve: approx. 65 hours
Nickel silver movement – with yellow gilding after engraving
Hand-crafted Fleurisanne engraving – palm leaf motif
Platinum oscillating weight – with yellow gilding
Two barrels – Twin technology

Dial and hands:
White mother-of-pearl dial with hand-painting crafted in Japan using the Urushi lacquer with a special motif inspired by the Palme d’or
Five moving diamonds and a moving Palme d’or in Fairmined-certified ethical 18-carat yellow gold
Gilded, domed and conical hours and minutes hands

Functions : Hours, minutes

Strap and buckle:
Alligator leather strap coated with gold
Diamond-set polished 18-carat yellow gold pin buckle

Ref. 275366-0001: in Fairmined-certified ethical 18-carat yellow gold, teamed with an alligator leather strap coated in
25-piece limited edition – Boutique Exclusive

Savoir-faire