| History of Chopard Founded: 1860 Founding place: Sonvilier, Switzerland Founded by: Louis-Ulysse Chopard Current headquarters: Geneva, Switzerland Owned by: The Chopard Group, privately held Official name: Chopard  |
The history of Chopard starts in 1860 when Louis-Ulysse Chopard (May 4, 1836 – January 30, 1915) founds the L.U.C manufacturing company in Sonvilier, Switzerland. At first he produces movements but soon he finds out that producing watches is more profitable. He starts selling his watches throughout Europe and even becomes and became supplier to Tsar Nicholas II of Russia.
When Louis-Ulysse dies in 1915, the company is taken over by his son Paul Louis and grandson Paul André. They start to focus on producing ladies’ watches and pocket watches. Paul Louis, who probably had the lead, moves the company operations to a larger town (Chaux-de-Fonds) in 1921. After twelve years they move the company to Geneva, the capital of Haute Horlogerie. In 1943, Paul André Chopard, becomes the owner of the company.
The Chopard dinasty ends
As Paul André had no children who wanted to continue his business, he starts looking for someone to take over his company. The German watchmaker Karl Scheufele III is looking for a watch movement manufacturer for his own business and in 1963 he buys Chopard. Karl Scheufele and his wife Karin orchestrate the company’s international expansion for more than 40 years and they are still active in the firm.
Their two children are Chopard’s current co-presidents: Caroline Scheufele (ladies’ collections and high jewellery) and Karl-Friedrich Scheufele (gents’ collections and the Chopard Manufacture). Chopard’s headquarter is in Geneva and they have a site in Fleurier, Canton of Neuchâtel since 1996. At that location Chopard manufactures high-end watch movements used for their L.U.C collection (named after the founder).
The history of Chopard:
1836 – (4th of May) Birth of Louis-Ulysse Chopard
1860 – Founds L.U.C manufacturing company in Sonvilier
1915 – Louis-Ulysse dies
1915 – His son Paul Louis and grandson Paul André take over the company
1921 – Company moves to Chaux-de-Fonds
1937 – Company moves to Geneva
1943 – Paul André Chopard becomes the owner
1963 – Karl Scheufele III buys Chopard
1996 – Opens a site in Fleurier for high-end movements
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