In 1976, Chopard brought something new to the world of watches and jewelry: the Happy Diamonds collection. Here, the sparkly precious stones—the hardest natural substance on Earth—were no longer fixed and perfectly arranged. No, they were free-floating, playing, dancing, alive; responding to every gesture and ray of light.
As Caroline Scheufele, Co-President and Artistic Director, recalls: “I grew up with this idea, first expressed by my mother, that diamonds are happier when they are free. This deeply poetic vision has never left me.”
Today, the cushion-shaped cases reinterpret the bold original geometries of the 1970s, a time-flirt heightened by the black onyx dials. Happy Diamonds designs also return in the shape of rectangular jewelry expressed in seven pendants, each one suspended from a newly designed rectangular-link chain, crafted in-house.
How did Chopard come up with the idea for Happy Diamonds?
The Happy Diamonds concept was inspired by the image of a waterfall, fragmented into thousands of fleeting sparkles. It was a very innovative and bold idea. When my parents were looking for a name for this watch, my mom exclaimed “Diamonds are happy because they are free!” and thus the concept was named “Happy Diamonds”. In 1976, the first prototype was exhibited at Basel Fair, the major watch & jewelry salon, and quite unexpectedly it received a lot of interest from clients all around the world. Chopard had to invent a way to make a serial production of those new watches, which was a true technical challenge! Since then, of course, we have become true masters of Happy Diamonds!
Why are there 21 diamonds in the new Happy Diamonds watch?
My goal was to achieve a visual balance, while creating a sense of movement that closely resembles the flow of water droplets. Twenty-one was the magic number!
What, for you, is the most important development of today’s collection compared with 50 years ago?
I am very proud of Chopard’s Journey to Sustainable Luxury, which we started in 2013. At the time we were real pioneers in the industry, while in the ’70s the topic was not even on the map! Today, for all our creations we use 100% ethical gold, as well as Chopard’s proprietary Lucent SteelTM, made with a recycling rate of 80%. All our diamonds are certified by the Responsible Jewellery Council.
You are indeed a pioneer for ethical gold and gemstones. How do you think the industry is catching on?
I think transparency and traceability are key. The whole industry has made great progress, but we must continue to understand and improve every step of the journey behind a creation.
What is your view on onyx?
Chopard historically possesses exceptional expertise in working with ornamental stones. We preserve and develop a savoir-faire that is unique. In this case the use of onyx is a tribute to the original watch. At the time, the deep black background was chosen to enhance the sparkle of the diamonds, the result was a perfect tuxedo watch, or a watch you wear with a little black dress. Today, the styles have evolved, but the combination remains sensational.
The Happy Clown is another artistic expression with Happy Diamonds. How did you come up with that?
As a child, I loved going to the circus, and by the way, I still love circuses today! While I was sketching one day, I drew a clown with moving arms and legs and diamonds that danced in his belly. My father surprised me by having it made for real, which was completely unexpected. My little clown became the very first jewellery piece at Chopard and this first creation remains very close to my heart. I could not have celebrated the Happy Diamonds anniversary without looking back at this milestone.
For you, what are the most important developments in today’s clown coming in September?
The first Happy Clown to spring from my imagination was a little clown. It was in gold and its belly revealed small diamonds, sapphires and rubies. Today’s version comes very close to a high jewelry piece, it is entirely diamond-set and its size is more imposing. The clown has grown!
In 1993 you created Happy Sport, the first watch to combine steel and diamonds. Above rather than around—how did the casemakers and dial makers react when you presented this radical concept?
When I designed the first Happy Sport watch, I wanted to have a watch that did not exist yet—in steel, but with sparkle, a watch which could accompany me from morning till night, to the office, to the gym, to the party. The combination of steel and diamonds is quite common today, but it did not exist at all at the time. I created a true revolution. The technical team thought it was impossible to make, but I would not take no for an answer. The head of production told me that if we succeed at making and selling them, he would give me a rose for each watch sold. In the end, he had to offer me a whole rose bush for my garden!
With Happy Sport you are going for yellow gold. What is your personal preference in gold: pink or yellow?
I am all for spontaneity! I tell women: don’t play by the rules. Mix and match the gold colors too. Stack. Follow your inner voice. Dare to embrace who you are.
FAQ
What is Chopard's Happy Diamonds collection?
Chopard's Happy Diamonds is a collection introduced in 1976, featuring free-moving diamonds that shift and sparkle inside the watch or jewelry case rather than being fixed in place. Its 50th anniversary in 2026 brings new cushion-shaped watches and pendant jewelry.
Why does the new Happy Diamonds watch have 21 diamonds?
Chopard's new Happy Diamonds watch uses 21 diamonds because, according to co-president Caroline Scheufele, that number creates visual balance while mimicking the movement of falling water droplets, the original inspiration behind the free-floating Happy Diamonds concept.
What is Chopard's Happy Sport watch?
Chopard's Happy Sport, launched in 1993, was the first watch to combine steel and diamonds, pairing precious stones with an everyday material rather than gold. Caroline Scheufele designed it to be worn from the office to the gym to parties.
What is Chopard doing for sustainable luxury?
Chopard has pursued sustainable luxury since 2013, now using 100% ethical gold and its proprietary Lucent SteelTM, made with an 80% recycling rate, across every creation. All its diamonds are certified by the Responsible Jewellery Council.
