The Chopard Happy Diamonds collection is a series of watches that are linked with one very unique feature. Every watch in the collection has loose, moveable diamonds sandwiched between two sapphire crystals. This model was originally a bit of a risk because Chopard could not be certain that the watch market would accept a design that could partially obscure the time. But the positive response to this bold move was incredible and today it is one of Chopards most famous women’s watch designs.
Chopard’s loose diamonds have become a trademark of the brand featured on many other pieces of jewellery such as engagement rings or necklaces. This is an example of aesthetic brilliance overtaking the necessities of function. Although all of these watches will function excellently with their carefully perfected quartz movements, this is a model that is not afraid to admit that it is a decorative piece, a bold decision for Chopard watches, but one that their customers have responded to.
However, when the collection was first being designed, a lot of careful attention went into the engineering process. When the first model was being designed there were a lot of questions about how they would be able to allow the diamonds in the middle to move freely without scratching the sapphire case or how they would prevent them getting in the way of the moving hands. As one of the hardest materials in the world, it was difficult to figure out how to prevent the diamonds from scratching even the most scratch resistant cases, but the solution was both elegant and effective; each diamond was protected in a tube of gold that protected the other parts of the watch and gave a smoother more free movement to the loose diamonds. The precision of the engineering is as flawless as the diamonds the watch contains and today, Chopard happy diamonds is a flagship for the brand that is recognisable all over the world.