Chopard Swan Lake Watch Review
The Chopard Swan Lake unites Haute Joaillerie with fine watchmaking to deliver a spellbinding balletic performance. US-based Meehna Goldsmith explains why she thinks the watch will grace the winner’s circle at the forthcoming GPHG awards.
Chopard Haute Joaillerie
It is a truth universally acknowledged that a single woman in possession of a good fortune must be in want of a horological treasure. While Jane Austen didn’t put the sentiment exactly this way in Pride and Prejudice, I’m almost certain she would have if she had lain eyes on Chopard’s Swan Lake.
The exquisite vision for Swan Lake sprung from the mind of Chopard’s Co-President and Artistic Director, Caroline Scheufele. Her luxurious creations are instantly recognisable from their whimsical and daring style that’s as timeless as it is contemporary. She is the one who dreamed up a white gold choker set with briolette-cut diamonds of various rows resembling the shape of a musical score, and a matching necklace and earrings set with diamond corollas that appear to dance with the waves of a ballet performer’s tutu as she swirls her way across the stage.
Enter Chopard’s world and you’ll also find a menagerie of beasts in both its horology and jewellery collections, a recurring theme of the house. For example, consider the glorious Peacock watch that presents the creature perching round the bezel, showing off its lustrous train of blue and green feathers, and the fascinating Sardines bracelet, displaying these aquatic creatures swimming round the wrist in a school. Many other animals reside in Chopard’s zoo, including a range of species from hippos, hummingbirds, monkeys and seahorses, to elephants, pandas butterflies and whales. Trust me when I say these treasures are worth exploring.
Chopard Swan Lake – elegance in motion
With the Swan Lake timepiece, Chopard brings the genus Cygnus into the fold. The swan looks elegant in motion, seeming to glide across a blue titanium base of sea foam. Crafted in 18-carat white gold, the piece is set with more than 34 carats of brilliant-cut, white diamonds feathering the swan’s body and representing the water below. Brilliant-cut black diamonds give gleam to the lores and basal knob, and onyx cabochons sparkle the eyes, while round-shaped Spessartite garnets mirror the colour of the beak.
This ethereal creature perches on the wrist with a white satin strap dressed up with feathers and secured with an 18-carat diamond-set pin buckle in the shape of a feather. Chopard is a pioneer in sustainability and through its Responsible Sourcing Programme, claims all of its gold is 100% ethically sourced. It is also part of an industry initiative and working groups to improve transparency in coloured gemstones and source diamonds from certified suppliers.
Chopard Swan Lake – dial
Concealed within the swan is a dial marking the time. But you must know the secret of turning the swan’s head to a central position. Only then does the internal mechanism unfurl the wings in three articulated sections one after the other, revealing the watch hidden below. Continuing the theme of avian grace, the diminutive dial is composed of mother-of-pearl and engraved with a feather motif. The swan comes to life with a true beating heart with the inner rhythm of the manual-wind, Chopard 10.01-C, a calibre that’s the size of about two spaghetti strands balanced atop each other. For its size, the 45-hour power reserve is remarkable, especially if you consider that many full-size watches can only claim 42.
Chopard Swan Lake – a labour of love
Under the direction of Caroline Scheufele, it took 900 hours of research, design and the specialised work of artisans and master watchmakers to realise Swan Lake. Collectively, Chopard’s in-house talents showcase its extraordinary imagination and remarkable expertise, culminating in horological art. Unsurprisingly, Swan Lake has been shortlisted in the GPHG 2025 (Jewellery Watch category). Last year, Chopard took the winning honours in the same category for its Laguna watch. Based on its captivating beauty, I wouldn’t be surprised to see the Swan Lake grace the winner’s circle this year.
Image – ©Patrick Csajko
Swan Lake is a dream piece. Alas, I am a single woman in want of a horological treasure who lacks a good fortune. However, like Elizabeth Bennett, perhaps I will find my Mr. Darcy. Candidates welcome.
Further reading
Technical Specification
- Model: Chopard Swan Lake
- Reference: 105373-9001
- Case: 18-carat ethical white gold and titanium, set with brilliant-cut white diamonds (34 cts); brilliant-cut black diamonds (0.10 ct); round-shaped Spessartite garnets (0.42 ct) and onyx cabochons
- Functions: hours, minutes
- Movement: Chopard 10.01-C, hand-wound movement, frequency 21,600 vph (3 Hz), power reserve of 45 hours
- Strap: satin strap featuring white feathers, with diamond-set pin buckle.
- Price on application
- Pièce Unique