The brightest jewel of Chopard Manufacture, by far is Caroline Gruosi-Scheufele who describes her position there as co-president and art director. She describes herself as a creative person and enjoys her work as the designer of Chopard Jewelry and women’s watches. Mrs. Gruosi-Scheufele is a multi talented artist and the designer of the many Chopard jewelry lines. Caroline Gruosi-Scheufele is a rare and valuable asset to the 100% family owned company. She is also a valuable asset to her community and to the world community, as she assists many charities by donating key pieces of Chopard jewelry. From her tireless efforts to promote various charity functions, to her financing of a local program to hire clowns in hospital children’s wards, Caroline Gruosi-Scheufele cares deeply for many causes which relieve human suffering, and brighten the days of those in need. It is with her this story starts.
Mrs. Gruosi-Scheufele and her brother Karl-Friedrich Scheufele are co-CEO’s of Chopard Manufacture, which their father purchased in 1963. The purchase was made when the last remaining Chopard watch maker reached the age of 80 and had no heir, who was prepared to take the business. Since then the Chopard brand has grown geometrically. The Scheufle family had their roots in jewelry making and their father also had experience in watch making. Today Karl and Caroline share control of their family owned company. Caroline is the designer, and in charge of communications and promotions while Karl handles production, finance and marketing. Together they work extremely hard to insure the continuing tradition of the 150 year old company.
By day Mrs. Gruosi-Scheufele is very hard working and unpretentious. She starts her morning by feeding her four dogs, and quickly downing a cup of coffee. Within twenty minutes of rising she’s off to work. Her job is demanding but she finds it rewarding and enjoys creating some of the finest jewelry in the world. Karl also enjoys creating, and is a talented artist and painter. Together they manage the prestigious, 100% family owned Swiss watch and jewelry company.
By night Mrs. Gruosi-Sheufele associates with some of the most wealthy and powerful philanthropists and charity volunteers in the world. Caroline dresses in amazing designer fashions with deeply plunging necklines, adorns herself with her own Chopard jewelry and attends some of the most exciting charity fund raising events imaginable. She is often deeply involved in the planning of these events, and is a key figure in promoting them.
In 1997 Caroline Gruosi-Scheufele decided that she would like to represent Chopard by becoming involved in the Cannes Film Festival. A long time lover of cinema, Mrs. Grousi-Scheufele made an appointment with president of the Cannes Film Festival, Pierre Viot. She offered the services of her family’s company to assist in whatever way needed. She discovered that so far no other jewelers were involved with sponsoring the Cannes Film Festival. During her visit Mrs. Gruosi-Scheufele paused to admire the Golden Palm Award in Mr. Viot’s office. Mr. Viot expressed a desire to have the Golden Palm redesigned and updated. Mrs. Gruosi-Scheufele in her brief meeting with Mr. Viot arranged to redesign the Golden Palm and for Chopard to sponsor all the Jewelry for the Cannes Film Festival.
Every year since the meeting of Pierre Voit and Caroline Gruosi-Scheufele Chopard jewelry has sponsored the Cannes Film Festival and provided jewelry for all the lovely and important attendees to that festival. Each year the Scheufele family and their employees enjoy draping the various starlets in fabulous jewels artistically designed by Caroline Gruosi-Scheufele and her staff. The prestigious attendees to the Festival are frequently tempted to purchase from Chopard's many fine jewelry collections.
On May 18th 2010, as part of the 2010 Cannes Film Festival, Chopard celebrated their 150th anniversary. The anniversary Gala was attended by such celebrities as Marion Cotillard, Nicky Hilton, Lindsey Lohan, Paris Hilton, Eva Herzigova, and Myleene Klass. It was a glorious celebration of jewelry, watches, and film. Both the Cannes film festival and Chopard jewelry and watches have a rich and elegant history, so it was fitting that the celebration was so lavish. Countless beautiful starlets dressed in the finest of designer gowns, and draped with elegant Chopard Jewelry gathered to celebrate the long history of precision Swiss watch making.
Watches make the best Christmas presents, especially as they last for decades. Every time your beloved wears the watch you've bought them, they will remember who gave it to them. A good watch can be passed down the generations, becoming an heirloom.
If you are buying a watch for a woman, you can't really go wrong with Bulova ladies watches. This is a classic American brand, and they produce examples of the most elegant dress watches that will end up as keepsakes for decades. Bulova ladies watches tend to have slim delicate bracelets that look well with evening wear. Small boned delicate women particularly suit these watches. Some of the watches come with matching pendants to make the complete evening accessory set. Combined with the elegance is precision timekeeping - Bulova famously sent their revolutionary Accutron watch to the moon, as it was the first fully electronic watch that functioned in zero gravity. Modern Bulova watches operate on quartz automatic movement. Bulova watches have become collectors pieces over the decades, so you will be getting an investment.
If you are buying a watch for a man, you may wish to take the rugged approach and buy them a Seiko automatic divers watch. These legendary watches are water proof at an incredible 500 feet and more, and are intended for scuba divers and water sportsmen. But they also look cool worn on dry land, and give out a rugged outdoor vibe to those who wear them. The most popular Seiko diver watches are the so called "monster" watches, which Seiko produce in limited editions. They come with brightly colored faces - yellow, orange, and black, and they look mean and robust. The monster range has developed a cult following and have become collectors items. Seiko watches are extremely well made and last for decades.
If you have a bigger budget, you can buy a Rolex or a Cartier watch - but these tend to be a lot more boring and dull in looks. It's a lot of money to pay for what is essentially just a brand name. In my opinion a Seiko Monster Divers watch blows a Cartier mens watch away, but you need to make your decision based on your own personal style and tastes. Rolex and Cartier watches are classic investment watches - they should keep their value over the years. And they are good for showing off how wealthy you are. Nothing says affluence quite like a Rolex.
If you have a low budget, you can't really go wrong with a good old Swatch, which is fun and colorful. I would stay away from replica watches - they tend to get scruffy very quickly and fool no one. You are much better off buying a decent medium value watch like a Bulova or a Seiko.
