BASELWORLD: Chopard to aid Japan victims via watch sales
BASEL, Switzerland, March 25, 2011 – Luxury jeweller Chopard plans to aid victims of Japan’s crisis via proceeds from sales of its “Urushi” watches which will become available for the first time in countries outside Japan.
“Normally these watches were reserved for the Japanese market. We have decided to open sales to the rest of the world and help with the rebuilding of Japan,” said Guy Bove, Geneva-based director of product development at Chopard.
At a presentation about Chopard’s latest watches at BASELWORLD, Bove said the company was looking for a suitable charitable foundation with which to join forces to aid victims of Japan’s earthquake, tsunami and nuclear crisis, using proceeds from international sales of its L.U.C XP “Urushi” watches.
The “Urushi” watches with a hand-stitched alligator strap, which retail for around 20,000 Swiss francs each, have dials bearing images from nature, such as jungle scenes and a peacock. Craftsmen meticulously apply resin in the highly intricate designs on the dial.
Bove presented other watches from the L.U.C Collection, such as the masculine Chrono One, which captures the atmosphere at vintage races, and the Superfast Split Second, limited to 1,000 pieces, which is inspired by high speed car racing.
