Frederic Chopin
Frederic Chopin’s ability has allowed his music to endure
changing tastes for over 200 years. Through the genius
and timelessness of his work, Chopin effortlessly touches
the hearts and souls of people in unique ways. For musicians,
his work is the embodiment of timeless beauty, raw emotion,
and striving for perfection. For poets, it is an endless source
of inspiration, igniting the imagination and encouraging
reflection. For others, it is the life of Frederic Chopin and
his complex character that serve as a source of mystery and
fascination.
Op. 10 No. 12 – the inspiration for the watch
With his timeless achievements, Frederic Chopin became not
only a symbol of Romanticism in Europe and around the world,
but also one of the most recognizable artists of all time. He
symbolizes patriotism, a theme greatly captured by his music.
Chopin’s love for his homeland is most perceptible in one of
his greatest works – Étude in C minor Op. 10 No. 12, otherwise
known as the "Revolutionary Étude". Chopin composed the
work in 1831 after learning of the capture of Warsaw and the
demise of the November Uprising in Poland. Young Frederic
hoped to join his friends and take part in the Uprising, but
his family and poor health prevented him from doing so.
When news of the Uprising’s failure reached Chopin, who was
staying in Stuttgart at the time, he gave voice to his
frustrations in the form of a few words jotted down in his
private diary:
„I wrote the previous pages not knowing that the enemy had entered.
Suburbs destroyed – burned
– Jaś! [Jan Matuszyński] – Wiluś [Wilhelm Kolberg] at the ramparts, most likely perished
– I can picture Marcel taken prisoner – dear old Sowiński in the hands of those rogues!
Oh God, You are there! You are there and take no revenge!”
Emotions in music
Chopin’s words carry a deep, emotional undertone, which he
later expressed in the Revolutionary Étude. Anger, despair,
distress, a deep concern for the fate of his homeland – Chopin
eloquently transformed his feelings into notes for everyone to
experience. Étude in C minor Op. 10 No. 12 is the leitmotif of
the Chopin brand’s first model, with the mechanism featuring
an engravement of an excerpt from Chopin’s diary to highlight
the personal, emotional tone of his work.
Chopin watches
The Chopin brand was inspired by the many dimensions of the
composer’s work and life. By combining the history of Chopin’s
achievements with our passion for watchmaking, the brand
elegantly represents the composer’s genius and depth. Under
the guidance of the Frederic Chopin Institute, the brand
carefully works to represent the composer’s heritage.
Cooperating with the Frederic Chopin Institute deepened our
fascination with the artist. The brand was granted an exclusive
license to use the composer’s name and produce a total of
56 watches annually. The limitations cultivated an important
sense of duty within the brand for ensuring the highest quality
of work at all stages of the watchmaking process.
No compromise in quality
The Chopin brand values the protection and promotion of the
composer’s image. It works with only the best in the industry
to create stunning watches representing the world-renowned
artist. The brand’s partner Schwarz Etienne, an over 100-year-old,
family-owned manufacturer from La Chaux-de-Fonds, has built
a reputation as one of the best in the watchmaking industry.
Chopin watches are designed by Antoine Tschumi, founder and
Artistic Director of Swiss design studio NeoDesis. Tschumi’s
unique ability to listen and understand the ideas of his clients
brought our vision for exquisite watches to life.
"Time is the best censor, and patience the most perfect of
teachers" – Chopin captured the essence of his work with these
words, which have been inscribed on the mechanism’s barrel
and can be seen through the watch back. Thanks to Chopin’s
endless dedication for continuous improvement, his work
withstood the test of time.