Chopard Celebrates 50th Anniversary of Happy Diamonds with Heritage Collections and Global Campaign
GENEVA
— September 16, 2026 — Swiss luxury maison Chopard launched a global campaign celebrating the 50th anniversary of its signature "Happy Diamonds" concept. First created in 1976 by designer Ronald Kurowski, the free-floating diamond technology remains one of fine jewelry and watchmaking's most enduring design innovations.
The milestone release is fronted by global brand ambassadors supermodel Bella Hadid and Chinese supermodel Liu Wen, starring in a dynamic campaign shot by Greg Williams and directed by Manu Cossu. The anniversary campaign highlights motion and accessibility, marking half a century since the concept disrupted rigid high-jewelry setting conventions.
Origin Story & Engineering
The collection was born out of a desire to liberate gemstones from fixed metal settings and let them spin and slide freely across a surface. While walking through Germany's Black Forest, designer Ronald Kurowski was captivated by sunlight glistening off thousands of tiny water droplets in a waterfall, seeking to replicate that fluid, sparkling motion in luxury craft.
To engineer the movement, Chopard developed a precise mechanical approach:
The Beveled Capsule System: Each full-cut diamond is enclosed in a thin, gold-sheathed bevel base to allow movement without scratching or getting stuck.
Dual Sapphire Crystal Chamber: The gems rest in a vacuum-sealed, double-pane sapphire glass sandwich directly above the watch dial or inside a hollow pendant cavity.
Friction Control: The smooth gold caps protect the stones from abrading against the sapphire glass or each other as they glide.
When Karin Scheufele, co-owner of Chopard, first saw Kurowski’s prototype, she famously exclaimed, "Diamonds are happier when they are free!"—giving the collection its iconic name.
Collection Evolution & Modern Reissues
The concept debuted in 1976 as a men's timepiece set in a cushion-shaped gold case with a black dial, instantly winning the Golden Rose of Baden-Baden design award before expanding into a women's line. In 1993, Caroline Scheufele (Co-President and Artistic Director) paired floating diamonds with a stainless-steel sport watch in the Happy Sport, breaking traditional rules that reserved diamonds exclusively for precious metals and formal eveningwear. The line further evolved into fine jewelry through Happy Hearts and Happy Curves, setting floating diamonds inside geometric 18K gold frames.
The 50th-anniversary release introduces several refined re-editions:
Happy Diamonds Heritage Watches: Feature vintage 1970s cushion-shaped cases and black onyx dials.
Happy Sport The First: Downsized 26mm and 33mm iterations rendered in Chopard's proprietary Lucent Steel and ethical yellow gold.
Expanded Crystal Chambers: Reworked 2006 rectangular pendants feature wider, open-space sapphire glass chambers to increase light refraction as the stones dance.
Reflecting on the milestone, Chopard Co-President and Artistic Director Caroline Scheufele shared:
"What I love most about Happy Diamonds pieces is the emotion they create. A diamond is beautiful on its own, but when it is free to move, it comes alive. It dances with the light, follows every gesture, and seems to have a personality of its own. For 50 years, the dance of Happy Diamonds has mirrored freedom. Through this campaign, we wanted to celebrate that movement—both intimate and universal—that animates both the diamonds and those who wear them."
She added regarding the technical updates: "We opened the space around the diamonds so they could move even more freely. I especially love watching how they dance and catch the light... In the end, that is always what I look for: a creation that feels alive."
Key Features & Sustainability Standards
In line with the house's long-term environmental commitments:
100% Ethical Gold: All anniversary fine jewelry and watch creations utilize 100% ethically sourced gold certified by the Responsible Jewellery Council (RJC).
Lucent Steel: Stainless steel models incorporate Chopard’s proprietary alloy made with at least 80% recycled steel, delivering superior brilliance and hardness.
Sources
Buro 24/7 — Chopard Celebrates 50 Years of 'Happy Diamonds' — https://buro247.me/jewellery-and-watches/chopard-celebrates-50-years-of-happy-diamonds-with-bella-hadid-and-liu-wen/
WorldTempus — Interview with Caroline Scheufele: To Be Happy Is To Be Free — https://en.worldtempus.com/article/new-watches/interview-caroline-scheufele-be-happy-be-free-chopard-83297.html
Monochrome Watches — First Look: Chopard Celebrates the 50th Anniversary of Its 1976 Icon — https://monochrome-watches.com/chopard-celebrates-the-50th-anniversary-of-its-1976-icon-with-the-happy-diamonds-heritage-review-price/
MOJEH — Bella Hadid and Liu Wen Celebrate 50 Years of Chopard's Happy Diamonds — https://www.mojeh.com/article/bella-hadid-liu-wen-chopard-happy-diamonds/
Wallpaper* — Chopard Celebrates 50 Years of 'Happy Diamonds' — https://www.wallpaper.com/watches-jewellery/chopard-happy-diamonds-50-years
Comments