Chopard Happy Spirit

The Swiss luxury watch manufacturer Chopard sits at the intersection of fine watchmaking and high-end jewelry. Perhaps the best example of this is the Happy Spirit collection. Originally designed as a line of jewelry, Chopard has translated the shapes of necklaces, rings, and pendants into watch cases and paired them with the moving diamonds made famous by the Happy Diamonds series.

The Happy Spirit collection contains oval, square, and heart-shaped cases in addition to classic round watches. Each is made of 18-karat rose or white gold. Two rings that are the same shape as the case sit beneath the sapphire glass. These rings and the diamond within the smaller ring all glide around the dial with every movement of the wearer's arm. The most heavily ornamented models also feature diamonds on their bezels and/or inner ring.

A quartz caliber provides each Happy Spirit with its precise timekeeping. Most of these movements come from the Swiss movement manufacturer ETA.

Even though you won't find the Happy Spirit in Chopard's current catalog, there are plenty of models to choose from on the pre-owned market. Entry-level watches begin around 4,500 USD. This will get you a well-maintained square timepiece with a polished white gold case and a shimmering mother-of-pearl dial. You'll also find the heart-shaped version with a polished white gold case at this price point. If you're looking for something with a little sparkle, expect to pay significantly more. Prices largely depend on the number of diamonds and range from 6,900 to over 30,500 USD.

Most Happy Spirit watches are round and come with the choice of asymmetrical or perfectly even lugs. The asymmetrical variant feels especially dynamic, while the other version exudes a sense of dignified calm. Both are available in polished white or rose gold and cost between 6,500 and 7,700 USD. However, those with a diamond-studded case sell for anywhere from 14,000 to 30,500 USD.

You can save a good amount by purchasing the oval Happy Spirit. Like its sister models, it comes with your choice of a polished or diamond-covered case. Depending on the edition, expect to pay between 6,400 and 10,500 USD for one of these timepieces.