Chopard Imperiale watches

Chopard introduced the Imperiale in 1994 as a classic line for men and women alike, in sizes from 28 mm to 42 mm. Its look comes from imperial motifs. The tubular lug attachments are meant to recall the columns of the Napoleonic and Roman empires, the tapered hands are shaped like a dagger, and diamonds stand for the splendour of the French empire. The original was an 18k white gold watch set with diamonds.

The 40 mm Imperiale in stainless steel (388531-3002 on alligator, 388531-3004 on bracelet) pairs a white mother-of-pearl dial with a gem-set bezel, in a case 10 mm thick. The Imperiale Chrono 384211-5001 keeps the 40 mm size, the mother-of-pearl dial and the gem-set bezel but moves to rose gold. The Imperiale Tourbillon 384250-1002 is a 42 mm white gold watch with a gem-set bezel and a diamond-paved dial. Chopard built the fully diamond-set Imperiale Tourbillon around an in-house L.U.C movement.

Chopard's Happy Sport 36 Automatic 278559-3002 is not an Imperiale, but it shares the white mother-of-pearl dial, gem-set bezel and 10 mm steel case of the 40 mm Imperiale in a 36 mm size.