Simply Abu Dhabi Magazine XVII

T he Chopard Haute Joaillerie ateliers have created a masterpiece: an all- diamond secret watch with the dial hidden beneath a darling, dazzling hedgehog encrusted with moonstone spikes. This magical timepiece embodies the latest chapter in Chopard’s poetic exploration of the fabled Animal World. To capture the stunning radiance of a jewellery creation that is also a watch, this unique piece requires hundreds of hours of work by the finest talents of the Maison’s Haute Joaillerie workshops. Beauty meets precision in this stunning hedgehog-shaped secret watch featuring 18k white gold entirely paved with diamonds and moonstones according to an exceptional gem-setting technique. This timepiece celebrates the wondrous encounter between reality and dreams: an imaginary journey to the heart of a precious bestiary. Haute Joaillerie at Chopard This jewellery watch showcases the virtuosity of the artisans that produce it and the essential genius underlying its conception. Stemming from the creative impulse and guidance of Chopard Co-President and Artistic Director, Caroline Scheufele, the Maison’s Haute Joaillerie has enjoyed spectacular developments in recent years. It now encompasses the dazzling Animal World as well as Red Carpet and Green Carpet collections, which exhibit the expertise of the finest craftsmanship and express truly modern artistic inspiration. From design through to execution, the Haute Joaillerie collections represent a standard of excellence within the Geneva-based firm. Inspired by nature and nurtured by a singular aesthetic and ethical sense of responsibility, these Haute Joaillerie creations are a source of constantly renewed wonderment. Uniting artistic crafts The creation of this Hedgehog Watch stems from the expert, patient and inventive hands of the Chopard artisans who devoted their talents to this exceptional piece. It required the skills of the entire range of Haute Joaillerie team: designers, wax-sculpting jewellery makers, lapidaries, jewellers, gem-setters, polishers, etc. From lines to volumes, from crafting gold to setting precious stones, by pooling their skills, the craftsmen have given shape to this secret jewellery watch and infused the precious hedgehog with a matchless sense of light in motion. This seamless and complementary interaction between various talents is made possible at the Chopard workshop where more than 30 crafts are practiced together under one roof. The Scheufele family carefully nurtures these precious assets by focusing on the training and transmission of expertise from generation to generation, for Chopard is keenly aware that human beings are the most valuable part of its heritage. An exceptional creation in the Animal World collection Joining the wonderful bestiary of the Animal World collection, the latest creation from the Chopard Haute Joaillerie workshops is an adorable little mammal: a stylised hedgehog set with moonstones illuminated by tiny diamonds which are set according to a unique technique by the master gem-setter in the company’s Geneva workshops. Cut into delicate spikes of varying heights by the lapidaries of the Haute Joaillerie ateliers, the extremely delicate moonstones required the dexterity, expertise and talent of the gifted artisans to create the spherical body of the hedgehog with its ample volume. The head, set fully in diamonds, is embellished with two sapphires, giving it a strikingly radiant gaze. Meanwhile, its mischievous snout set with brown sapphires hides a well- guarded secret – touching it transforms this piece of jewellery into a watch. A dedicated mechanism governs the opening of the hedgehog in the middle of its back and reveals a tiny, baby hedgehog holding a watch dial in its paws. Entirely set with diamonds, the interior of the watch reveals all the splendour of an objet d’art, rendered even more precious by its secret nature. Sheltered from prying eyes, it unveils its charms and its watchmaking function only when the owner so decides. The secret watch While making a prime companion for situations when the time must be checked discreetly, the Hedgehog watch is meant to help its wearer entirely forget about the passing of time. Secret timepieces carry a hint of nostalgia reminiscent of an era when goodmanners implied occasionally peeking at the time without being noticed. Its aura of mystery and intrigue, together with its extraordinary beauty, endow this Hedgehog timepiece with a singularly aristocratic allure. A Precious Secret: the Chopard Haute Joaillerie Hedgehog Timepiece