Throwback Thursday: Chopard Imperiale

It was nearly 20 years ago, in 1994, that Chopard introduced what has since become one of its most sought-after and versatile collections. In sizes 28mm to 42mm (for both men and women), the model is pure classic,  distinguished by its imperial motifs: Roman numerals, tubular lug attachments that represent the columns of the Napoleonic and Roman empires, hands shaped like the tapered daggers of Imperial sovereigns, and diamonds to represent the splendors of the French empire. The original, pictured here, is 18k white gold, set with diamonds. In 2012, the brand unveiled an impressive fully diamond set Imperiale Tourbillon, containing an in-house L.U.C movement.