Owning a luxury watch is a statement. It isa sign of prestige and lifestyle. Offer, for the luxury watches, or so coldluxury watches, on the market is huge, and I often get questions about somecostly timepieces.
Let’s be clear, there is a significantdifference between just an expensive watch and a luxury watch.
Today, I want to talk about Chopardwatches; is Chopard a luxury watch?
It most definitely is! Chopard is an independent Swiss watch brand that rightfully goes under the category of luxury brands because their watches are reliable and accurate. Made from the finest materials, mostly by hand, Chopard’s entirely in-house manufactured mechanisms are a symbol of quality in the watchmaking industry.
There are quality watches, and then, thereare high-end top watch brands. If you are wondering about how to differentiatebetween those two, stay with me while I explain what makes Chopard watches expensivebut unique, valuable and worth having.
5 Reasons Why Chopard Watches Are So Expensive
Not every expensive watch is a luxury watch, but every luxury watch does cost a good amount of money.
The price of a Chopard watch matches their exclusivity; the brand’s name, history and impact in the horology world; the overall quality of the final product and meticulous attention to detail for every single component of each timepiece they make.
Obviously, luxury watches are notmass-produced, and the process of manufacturing and assembling each wristwatchis a thrilling story about the final product that one day, you will casuallywear on your wrist.
So here is the story behind luxury Chopardwatch:
1.Iconic in-house mechanism
First, and foremost important when it comesto determining a luxury watch, which adds to the costs of production and finalprice is an in-house mechanism.
Powering the watch with in-house, uniqueand high-end movement is what sets you apart from other watchmakers.
Chopard manufactures high-level, complicated mechanisms for its watches entirely in-house.
Although Chopard is an old brand with a long tradition, it became a significant player in the watchmaking industry in 1994. When the first L.U.C. in-house caliber was made.
L.U.C. calibers are now iconic high-frequency,powerful mechanisms which are the symbol of precision and quality in theindustry.
2. Hand made craftsmanship
Most of the magic happens in Fleurier, in Chopard’s facility where all L.U.C. mechanisms are produced.
The process starts with cutting the rawmaterials, using CNC (Computer Numerical Control). Finishing the components isdone by Electroplating with a considerable amount of fine finishing that isdone by hand, like tolerance check, cleaning galvanized parts and finalpolishing (shinny surface or matt effect created by using different materials)
Engraving, again, all done by hand. Justimagine what a slip of a hand would mean in this process!
All adjustment and assembly of Chopard watches are also done in house (which is quite rare in the industry) by hand. They go that far that they even smelt their own gold.
Click here if you like to find out the end-to-end process of how Chopard produces their high-end watches
3.Complications
The more complications, the more high-end the watch is.
Chopard has a wide range of incrediblecomplications, all made in-house. This is where a very small number of brands cancompete with them.
If you really want to have a top luxury watch, then you should look into Chopard’s offer and go for timepieces that are equipped with complications like perpetual calendar, tourbillon escapement, moon phases, world-time complication, a leap year indicator, and so on.
4.Finest Materials
The majority of the work on Chopard watches is done using stainless steel or gold.
Chopard watches are certified with Geneva Seal, which among the rest, is a testimony of the quality of materials used. Only watches that are made from natural and traditional materials and have fine tunned finishing touches on the component can be certified with Geneva Seal.
Another significant value for any luxuriousbrand is responsible sourcing.
I have already mentioned that Chopard uses its own gold. Furthermore, Chopard is committed to sourcing 100% ethical gold. That means, they are sourcing in accordance with Chopard Code of Conduct for Partner; all the gold they purchase comes from sources that are verified for meeting the highest international environmental and social standards.
5. The wide range of choices with equalattention to detail and quality
Today,there are 10 different families of L.U.C. calibers all certified for qualityand precision by the COSC and many with Seal of Geneva.
It is really amazing to have such a wide selection,for everyone’s taste, with equally fascinating precision, power, and raisingfunctionality.
You can choose from simple version L.U.C1937 Classic – chronometer with time, date and 60 hours of power reserve instainless steel for under $10.000(which really is a reasonable price for movement of that caliber,assembled, decorated and engraved by hand)
The same watch/mechanism in pink-goldretails for $19,020.
The time for manufacturing, the number ofcomponents, materials and people invested in each watch will raise with morecomplications, and so will its price.
Is Chopard Better Than Rolex?
This is another common question: if Chopard is so good, is it better than Rolex?
Truthfully, no real horology enthusiastwill actually ask this question because it is impossible to simply compare twohigh-end watchmakers as better or worse.
Rolex and Chopard are luxury watch brands that deserve respect and admiration, because of its precision and quality of their timepieces. Rolex watches are more rugged and durable, while Chopard timepieces are geared towards classic design. The difference in the overall quality are closely matched.
The choice between two is mostly a matterof taste. When it comes to comparing these two brands here is what you shouldknow, to make an easier choice:
- Precision will not really be a part of your decision because both Rolex and Chopard are COSC certified. Plus, both brands hold the designation of ‘Superlative’ Chronometer, which means their watches go undergo further testing for the highest standard in precision.
- Rolex has a 100% brand recognition. Chopard is ranked 4th most popular Swiss watch brands, according to the Interbrand (an agency for the evaluation of Swiss watches), which is also quite impressive. Brand recognition is the testimony of history, heritage and quality of the brand. However, when brands are placed so closely as these two, the ranking is not saying anything about one having better or more prestigious watches than another.
- Both Rolex and Chopard produce high-end in-house mechanisms. Comparing Rolex mechanisms and L.U.C. would be tough. However, as we are speaking about the whole brand and not each specific timepiece, not all Chopard watches have entirely in-house produced mechanisms, and they have a wide range of Quartz watches (which are, from obvious reasons, way more affordable). On the other hand, Chopard does have an in-house made turbillion complication while Rolex does not. This is just an example that your final decision always has to be made according to a specific wristwatch, not solely according to a brand.
- Toughness and durability. This is maybewhere the choice becomes easier depending on what you want from a watch (asidefrom the exclusivity and quality).
Rolex watches are more rugged and durable. They take pride in challenging their timepieces with extreme tests of toughness which makes their watches almost indestructible. While, Chopard watches are more of a classic design made for occasions where you do not need to test how much can your wristwatch endure.
Rolex also makes diving watches,while Chopard has a basic and standard water-resistance on their timepieces.
Hence, the decision lies in thelifestyle and the statement you want to make with your wristwatch.
- Rolex has a higher price forits entry-level pieces, starting from a retail price of $5.700, while Chopard’sentry-level men’s watch retails for around $5.000 and below $5.000 for ladieswatch.
Do Chopard Watches Hold Their Value?
Chopard watches do hold their value. With a brand with such a long tradition, known for the quality of their work – starting from the attention to details, materials used, innovations and complications included in their timepieces, their value stays stable.
Chopard is one of the most known luxury watch brands, which on its own, is a fact that keeps the value of their products up.
L.U.C. In-house Chopard’s mechanism followsthe highest standards and can compete with the best of the best in theindustry. Handmade craftsmanship of L.U.C. movements is legendary.
Chopard offers high-end complications ontheir timepieces which sets them apart and keeps the Company in the high-valuedluxury family of watches.
Is a Chopard watch a good investment?
Luxury watches are in high demand, soinvesting in one of the Chopard’s exclusive wristwatches is a good choice.
That said, the value of any watch willdepend on many factors – from the quality to the market conditions.
When it comes to Chopard, the brand is wellknown and in high demand. The resale value of their watches is less than withRolex and Cartier. Brands like these, have stronger brand recognition whichplays into this fact.
On the other hand, Chopard is a smaller,privately-owned company that produces less than these giants of the industry,but the demand for their watches is high (which can be an advantage).
The brand name is something that sets thepart of the price. Chopard has a big offer of watches and collections, and youneed to know what specific timepiece will hold the value in years to come.
Obviously, the more exclusive the watch is, the higher return value will be. A lot of Chopard watches, limited editions and best-known collections are sold on auctions for a significant amount.
In conclusion, if you know to recognize a superb watch quality and to read the market (to some degree at least) Chopard is a good investment.
If you never invested in a watch, I woulddefinitely recommend getting a Chopard watch. Even an entry-level timepiecewill amaze you with the beauty and functionality. Who knows? Maybe one day youwill realize you have something worth more than you thought it would.
