Maison Chopard needs no introduction when it comes to the world of jewellery and watchmaking. With a history beginning in 1860 and spanning more than a century, punctuated with the coming together of two families, Chopard and Scheufele, at the brand’s heart, Chopard carved a name for itself, excelling in creativity, innovative technology, in the luxury Swiss watch and jewellery industry.
With Valentine’s Day quickly approaching, we take a deep dive into one of Chopard’s iconic jewellery collections – Happy Hearts – for this edition of Eternal Icons.
To get to the story of Happy Hearts, we must first get to know Happy Diamonds, a fresh and inventive collection of watches that redefined the diamond-set watch category. Happy Diamonds made its debut in 1976, a couple of years before the release of its first jewellery piece.
Happy Diamonds started as a collection of minimal watches characterised by the array of free-floating diamonds contained within the sapphire glass and case. Inspired by the lightness and freedom of a waterfall’s spray, Chopard chose to ‘liberate’ the diamonds from their settings. In the words of co-president and Artistic Director of Chopard Caroline Scheufele’s mother, Karin, “Diamonds are happier when they are free.”
With the diamonds able to travel around the watch face, each Happy Diamonds timepiece is captivating and effervescent, always made unique with each wearer’s movement. And this approach to freedom and liberation in the pursuit of happiness resonated closely with the cultural revolutions of the 1970s, and the women who wore and aspire to wear Chopard creations. As the maison continues to capture and celebrate that happiness, care and kindness that sits at the core of its brand ethos, its range of Happy-theme watch and jewellery collections only grew more diverse.
Which then brings us to the launch of the first-ever Chopard Happy Hearts jewellery collection in 2009. Featuring the signature dancing diamond combined with the house’s emblematic shape, this instant-icon collection took the fashion industry by storm with its series of minimal double-heart jewellery. On one side an enamel or diamond-set heart, and on the other an open-backed one containing a captivating dancing diamond. The Happy Hearts collection is understated and made to be worn as a talisman, signifying and accompanying the love and joy that comes from the small and special moments in life alike.
Since the first collection, Chopard has introduced several additions to the Happy Hearts universe, each recognisable by the number of hearts contained in the jewellery’s design. The original Happy Hearts contain two hearts, the Happy Hearts Wings collection features three in a design inspired by the wings of a butterfly, while the Happy Hearts Flowers combines five hearts surrounding a dancing diamond to emulate the petals of its namesake.
The latest collection is My Happy Hearts, first released in 2022, which pares down the design to one heart, embracing the desire for dainty and stackable jewellery. The collection’s single heart symbolises the reinvented relationship with oneself in a generation that further understands the importance of self-love, individuality and self-expression.
One important note about Happy Hearts is that it’s always been made with ethical gold – a conscious choice made by Chopard to make sure that this range of jewellery also makes a positive impact to society at large.
In every version of Happy Hearts jewellery, it’s clear that these pieces were made with joy and love at its core. It’s no wonder then that it became such an iconic range for Chopard even with a relatively short legacy for this heritage brand. The Happy Hearts collection is the epitome of Chopard’s brand and history, combining watchmaking heritage, diamond and enamelling savoir faire, and the brand’s decades-long house values. In this sense, it’s a true eternal icon.
If you’re looking for a Valentine’s Day gift, a piece from Happy Hearts is sure to please your partner, and now that its story and symbolism is made clear too, it’s only going to make the gift more meaningful.
Click here to read about other Eternal Icons, or head here for your fill of dazzling jewels.
Photos: Chopard