After being presented with the trophy by Geneva State Councillor Pierre Maudet, Karl-Friedrich Scheufele said: “I was absolutely not expecting to win the Aiguille d’Or this evening. I am still deeply moved by this surprise result. In 2016, we celebrated the 20^th anniversary of Chopard Manufacture by launching an exceptional watch: the L.U.C Full Strike. I knew that we had created a truly unique model, but I did not anticipate such a great honour. The L.U.C Full Strike revisited one of the major horological complications, incorporating a significant innovation whilst respecting the traditions of movement development.

I was the ‘conductor` orchestrating this achievement, but nothing would have been possible without the expertise and tireless commitment of our watchmaking departments on all levels – from movement designers to watchmakers and decoration specialists. I wish to thank my entire family for their support through the years. It’s a truly wonderful adventure.”

The L.U.C Full Strike launched at the end of 2016 was the highlight of the Chopard Manufacture 20^th anniversary celebrations. It was the Maison’s first minute repeater watch and featured several world firsts. It strikes the hours, quarters and minutes on sapphire gongs. Its extremely original construction, the excellence of its Poinçon de Genève certified finishing, and above all its extraordinary sound quality, make it a watch that stands out from the rest, in a league of its own. Aesthetically refined and pleasing to wear, it houses the very best of the expertise, inventiveness and quality characterising the L.U.C collection.

The L.U.C Full Strike has a unique sound signature, beautifully resonant and crystal-clear. The gongs are tuned to two notes: C and F. The richness of tone is unprecedented, since this is the first time that sapphire has been used as an acoustic generator and amplifier.

The two awarded creations are both made of ethical gold certified Fairmined.

The Journey to Sustainable Luxury began when Chopard, with Eco-Age, forged a philanthropic relationship with the influential South American mining NGO, the Alliance for Responsible Mining (ARM).  The luxury jewellery and watch company became the world’s first watch and luxury jewellery company to directly support mining communities to reach Fairmined gold certification as well as providing training, social welfare and environmental support.

The Journey to Sustainable Luxury is Chopard’s commitment to a multi-year programme to achieve sustainable luxury. The goal is to improve the environment and the lives of those at the very beginning of the supply chain. 

Chopard is a family-owned company with a resolute emphasis on optimally integrated production. The stages involved in crafting L.U.C watches and High Jewellery models are all performed in Chopard’s various production sites in Geneva and Fleurier. Movement decoration, product design, gold smelting, stamping and machining of cases, movement components and bracelets, as well as traditional hand-crafted decoration, surface treatment, gemsetting, polishing, assembly, adjustment and quality control, are all mastered by Chopard in-house and play a role in the making of each L.U.C watch or High Jewellery creation.

In response to this prestigious distinction, Karl-Friedrich added, “Our family’s vision and passion for excellence is thus rewarded. This is truly an amazing family and entrepreneurial adventure.”

It is this strong determination to excel on a daily basis by fulfilling its dreams that has fired the Scheufele family to raise Chopard to the ranks of one of the world’s most prestigious Fine Watchmaking and High Jewellery Maisons. It daily benefits from the complementary talents of the various family members: visionary parents with the spirit of true builders; Caroline Scheufele whose creativity has earned Chopard respect as a jeweller; and Karl-Friedrich Scheufele who in the space of 20 years has enabled Chopard to reclaim its horological heritage and its place among the finest watchmakers.