Launched in 1976, the collection morphed into a sports version featuring the first ever pairing of steel and diamonds in 1993.
Chopard. Chopard. Chopard. Chopard. Chopard. Chopard
Happy Diamonds. Happy Diamonds. Happy Diamonds. Happy Diamonds. Happy Diamonds
Launch Year
1976
Functions
hours, minutes
Movement
quartz
Distinctive features
gold cushion-type case framing a dial with dancing diamonds
Characterized by diamonds moving freely over the dial, the Happy Diamonds collection has inspired Chopard’s design language ever since its launch in 1976. As is often the case, the beauty of nature presided over its creation. The story goes that Chopard designer Ronald Kurowski was entranced by sunbeams playing across a waterfall during a walk in the Black Forest. He sought to reproduce the random effect of countless water droplets on a dial. To achieve this, he came up with a unique concept based on the principle of setting diamonds in capsules with a bevelled base, then placing them between two sapphire crystals where they could spin freely.
While the Happy Diamonds is generally thought of as a women’s watch, that has not always been the case. The first Happy Diamonds was a cushion-shaped men’s watch with 30 dancing diamonds. Right from its launch, in 1976, Chopard gained recognition for its truly innovative spirit. Distinguished by the prestigious Golden Rose of Baden-Baden award, the watch was also appreciated by customers won over by the playful mischief of these perpetually moving diamonds.
1976, first Happy Diamonds ©Chopard
1976, First Happy Diamonds watch ©Chopard
Initially reinterpreted as a jewellery collection by Caroline Scheufele, who in 1985 presented daringly shaped models set with dancing diamonds and other precious stones, Happy Diamonds lent itself to numerous watchmaking variations. In 1993 the collection morphed into the Happy Sport, the first watch to pair steel with diamonds and a commercial success. In 2018, for the 25th anniversary of this line that has become the brand’s best-seller, Chopard treated it to its very first ladies’ movement, entirely produced in-house at Fleurier Ebauches.
In the wake of the successful Happy Diamonds and Happy Sport models, Chopard has found new creative outlets for its dancing diamonds, such as Happy Fish in 2002, Happy Spirit in 2003, Very Chopard in 2010, Happy Sport Oval in 2011, as well as the Happy Sport Tourbillon Joaillerie which was nominated for the 2014 Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève.
For the collection’s 40th anniversary in 2016, Chopard celebrated its success by relaunching the original cushion-shaped case. Prong-set diamonds, more numerous and in various sizes, appeared in a collection that is firmly embedded in Chopard’s DNA for its ability to combine all facets of its expertise: jewellery on the one hand, watchmaking on the other. Further proof of this twofold expertise came in 2021 when Chopard introduced the Happy Sport The First. Designed as a tribute to the original Happy Sport from 1993, its 33mm case encloses the Chopard 09.01-C in-house movement.
Key Characteristics
- Cushion-shaped case framing diamonds dancing across the dial
