While Chopard is well known for being the master behind many show-stopping jewellery creations seen on major red carpets, it is also an expert at crafting subtler, everyday statements that stand out for their individuality.
Fans of the brand would already be well acquainted with its Ice Cube collection, a line of modern jewellery that is inspired by the form of its namesake. The collection’s exceptional versatility is built on its simple lines and shapes, and its popularity is testament to that. The range of jewellery comprises a selection of rings, bracelets, earrings and pendant necklaces that can be layered and stacked, allowing one to wear them in a variety of interesting ways.
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The central motif in the collection, the cube encapsulates geometric perfection. Crafted in precious gold, its shape is also utilised for a stunning play of light via its reflective facets, each polished to a high shine for a mirror-like finish.
Since artistic director of Chopard, Caroline Scheufele, introduced the motif in 1999 through the very first Ice Cube watch, it has remained the Maison’s modern signature. Over the years, new designs have been added to the line, with bolder, more inventive takes on the shape. Chopard wanted to refresh the collection while preserving its identity, and this task was entrusted to its designer Coralie.
“In designing the current Ice Cube collection, we didn’t want to change the size of the cubes, nor touch the icon,” she shares. “The original proportions were perfect and have thus been retained. We have, however, imparted a sense of rhythm, such as by adding new elements or creating empty spaces, for example. ”
For the collection’s 25th anniversary last year, Chopard gave the line of jewellery a rare haute joaillerie interpretation, unveiling a choker, a cuff bracelet, and two timepieces: A secret watch and a re-edition of the very first Ice Cube watch model produced by the Maison.
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The house looked to urban skylines for inspiration for these special creations, using the cubic form of the iconic collection and sparkling diamonds to emulate a city’s nightscape dotted with the lights of skyscrapers.
Coralie came up with the idea of replicating a skyline with cubes of varying heights. “The Ice Cube collection lent itself to an architectural shape. We chose to place it in a very urban context,” she says.
She imagined them to be Lego blocks, which she positioned in a random yet harmonious manner to create her jewelled interpretation of an urban landscape. As she explains, “This difference in heights allows the light to reflect in a different way. We enhanced them with brilliant-cut diamonds, adding little touches of sparkle."
The ingenuity of the design goes beyond its aesthetic appeal—it is also captured in how the jewellery feels and moves with the body when worn. While they may be crafted from gold, the choker and bracelet look and feel as supple as a silk ribbon, a result achieved through complex joining and assembly techniques.
“The base of the construction is formed by cubes that are all of the same height, joined together by four small rings fixed to the four corners. This mesh gives the piece its flowing look and feel. We have also screwed a cap on each cube to give it height and also hide the rings. We created three different cap heights to create that skyline effect,” explains Coralie.
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The clasps are fully integrated and concealed, the overall effect being one of clean lines. “It’s a team effort. These pieces stem from collaboration with the technical developers, the polisher, and the gem setter. It’s a challenge we took on together,” the designer adds.
The new Ice Cube secret watch is a spectacular cross between a timepiece and jewellery, resembling a cascade of ice cubes dipped in gold and diamonds. Instead of utilising a repetition of identical cubes typical of previous creations, Chopard’s workshops, for the first time, introduced cubes in varying sizes and heights.
Like the Chopard Ice Cube high jewellery creations, the bracelet of the watch is also designed to be remarkably flexible. The cubes—102 of them in total—are meticulously screwed onto a frame that is assembled in a puzzle-like fashion, ensuring the smooth articulation of the bracelet. Set with 36 princess cut diamonds totalling 8. 54 carats, it features a white dial with gold hands that are discreetly concealed under a cubic zirconia cover.
If diamonds—lots of them—are what you are drawn to, the re-edition of the original Ice Cube watch will no doubt catch your attention. Featuring a case and dial set entirely with Asscher-cut diamonds, totalling 10. 80 carats and 2. 71 carats respectively, this dazzling timepiece is a striking re-creation of its predecessor.