Launched to celebrate Chopard’s 150th anniversary, the Animal World collection aroused such tremendous enthusiasm that Chopard has decided to prolong the pleasure. The company will thus be continuing its extraordinary journey through the animal kingdom, inviting new species to join the party and continuing to explore this world of mystery, playfulness and infinite beauty that has earned it such universal acclaim.
While gold and diamonds are highlighted in many models, various more unexpected materials and gemstones such as pearls, moonstones, red gold and precious wood have been enlisted in giving vibrant life to the multi-coloured exuberance of nature imagined by Caroline Gruosi-Scheufele and her team of designers. Witness the adorable little revolving duck ring featuring a clever blend of precious and fine gemstones. Sparkling with yellow diamonds and orange sapphires, the creation reminds of a child’s rubber ring appearing to be floating playfully across a blue topaz swimming pool. This aquatic allusion is beautifully reconstituted by the Paraiba tourmalines, amethysts and lazulites covering the body of the ring.
The peacock bracelet called for hundreds of hours of work. The delicate tail of the winged creature appears to wrap itself endlessly around the wrist like a feather-light piece of lacework. Covered with around 50 small tapering feathers, the underlying structure and the clasp of the bangle remain completely invisible. Completely adorning the bird with 7,500 stones called for the use of 0.5 mm Paraiba tourmalines, tsavorites and emeralds – a size that is virtually impossible to find.
The larger than life bear-cub ring was first sculpted in wax before being cast in gold. A jewellery prototype-maker than patiently fashioned and worked on creating the delightfully clumsy gait of the small mammal. Initially available in a “polar bear” version, this charming animal now appears clothed in a warm coat of brown diamonds set on rose gold. The equally irresistible Owl watch appears this year in a vivid pink colour. Mounted on a fuchsia-pink strap, this model now comes in versions featuring trapeze-cut rubies and diamonds.
