Chopard Classique Automatic 18ct c1995 with Original Box

Chopard

Chopard was founded by Louis-Ulysse Chopard in the Jura region of Switzerland in 1860 and soon established a high-precision watch manufacture, specialising in pocket-watches and chronometers. The company forged itself a reputation for reliable and high quality watches and from the start, won two very prestigious commissions, becoming the official provider of watches for Tir Fédéral and the Swiss Railway Company. The company’s beautifully crafted, ultra-thin and highly precise pocket watches were sold throughout Europe, including to Tsar Nicholas II.

In 1943, Paul-André Chopard, son of Paul-Louis, took over the business and Chopard remained a family business until 1963 when it was sold to Karl-Scheufele III.

Karl-Scheufele III, a goldsmith and watchmaker, was seeking to develop the jewellery and watch company he owned and was looking to acquire a Swiss manufacture. During a visit to Geneva in 1963 to meet potential leads, he met with Paul-André Chopard. Thirty minutes later, the deal was sealed and Karl Scheufele III would go on to lift Chopard out of its lethargy and build an empire.

Chopard is one of the last remaining family-run watchmaking and Jewellery companies. Since the 1980s, Karls children, Caroline and Karl-Friedrich have both played an active part in the company with Caroline Scheufele, being responsible for the ladies’ collections and developing the jewellery department and Karl-Friedrich, managing the men’s collections and developing sports watches during the 1980s and also the Chopard Manufacture in Fleurier, which produces the L.U.C movements, in the 1990s.

Description

This watch can only be described as outstanding. The dial you see here is completely unrestored and yet looks immaculate. The beautiful honey, Arabic numerals present well and appear bold and eye catching on the white dial, which also has the great addition of a date window. This watch is simply stunning and also comes complete with the original Chopard inner and outer presentation boxes.

The Dial

The dial as can be seen, is just astounding. It is completely unrestored and looks beautiful upon the wrist. It carries black outlined, honey Arabic numerals which are swept by the unrestored ‘index’ hands. The date window sits proudly in the position of 3 and the dial is completed by a minute rail track around the outside.

This dial is signed ‘Chopard’, ‘Geneve’ and ‘Depuis 1860’ just below the 12, with ‘Automatic’ just above 6 and is finished off perfectly with ‘Swiss Made’ right at the very bottom.

The lens is the original Sapphire Crystal lens which, like the rest of the watch, remains in a perfect condition.

The Movement

Chopard movements are rightly held in very high regard for their accuracy and reliability and this watch carries its original, very high quality Chopard automatic movement with the reference number 1216.

The movement has been fully overhauled and serviced and is in beautiful condition. It is running strongly and remaining accurate within expected parameters for a watch movement of this age and size. The watch also has a runtime of 40 hours when fully wound. We are therefore very happy to offer this watch with our 12 month warranty on the movement*.

*Please note – our 12 months’ warranty is only applicable if the list price is paid.

The Watch Case

The 18ct yellow gold watch case measures 34.5mm in diameter, excluding the crown. The case is a superbly made three-piece case, designed for increased dust and moisture protection. It has a smooth bezel and straight swept-back lugs which add elegance and simplicity to the watch. It is also in excellent condition, having just received a very gentle and sympathetic clean and polish as the watch has obviously been very well cared for and shows no dings, scratches or other marks visible to the naked eye.

Inside the case-back, all is correctly marked and as expected with Swiss 18ct hallmarks. Externally, the case carries the serial number 399469 and is also signed ‘Chopard’. This external signature is clear, indicating the watch case has not been over-polished. Importantly, the case-back is of full thickness and has never been engraved.

The Strap & Buckle

A high quality brown lizard strap has been fitted, along with Chopard gold-plated buckle. However, if a different colour or style of strap is preferred, please let us know and we will do our best to oblige free of charge. We carry tan, conker, dark brown and black in stock in plain padded leather, crocodile skin or lizard skin. We can also obtain most types and colours from our partners at ‘Watch Obsession’ within 48hrs. Please take a look at their huge range of straps if you wish here.

Box and Papers

Although there are no original papers with this watch, the reference numbers, markings, signatures and hallmarks are all correct, dating this watch to circa 1995.

Detailed particulars will be included with our purchase receipt for your interest and security. A separate insurance valuation for the replacement value of this watch will be provided at the time of sale along with our unique ‘Lifetime Authenticity Guarantee’ which states: “If this watch proves to be anything less than 100% genuine, authentic and original, a full refund will be given at any time”.

As with all our watches, this watch will be sold under our 14 days no quibble sale or return policy.

The watch comes complete with the Original Chopard inner and outer presentation boxes and booklet, as can be seen in the accompany photographs.

In Conclusion

An exceptional and collectable gentleman’s dress watch from one of horology’s most revered names. This will not only make an excellent dress watch, but also a practical, accurate and reliable timepiece to use on a daily basis should you so wish. It will also provide an excellent investment as well as be something to use, wear, treasure and enjoy!

A word on our prices – We always try our hardest to acquire the very highest quality watches we can find, before then restoring these to the highest possible standards. We then offer these at the fairest prices we can, taking into account our pre and post-sales care and service. This approach means we will never be the cheapest, but nor will we be the most expensive. Indeed there are some well known stores in West London which are highly successful charging between two to three times the price you see here. We therefore consider our prices to be fair, given the quality of watches we have to offer.

We are happy to accept PayPal as this is the quickest method of payment. However, if you would like to pay by UK cheque or by UK bank transfer we will be pleased to assist you with this.  Similarly, if you wish to pay by International SWIFT or Bank Wire Transfer we will provide you with our BIC / Swift number and our IBAN number.

Please check the import duties and any taxes your government may apply, these are different for each country and unfortunately out of our control.

We understand there may be some ‘loopholes’ that may help you avoid these charges, however attempting to use these could impact our ongoing ability to serve our growing international customer base.

For those that happen to visit the UK on occasion we are of course more than happy to store your watch until we can meet you in our offices in Kensington, London, and hand your watch directly to you there.

If you have any questions, please call 020 7727 7095 or +44 207 727 7095.

Please note, we welcome part exchanges. If you have a watch or small collection for sale, please contact us as we will be happy to discuss.

We will also be happy to Service your watch, Repair your watch or Restore your watch, all at ‘sensible’ prices. Please see here.

Please take a look at our other fine vintage gold watches.