Karl-Friedrich Scheufele

A man of many talents, Chopard’s Co-President Karl-Friedrich Scheufele exudes a quiet thoughtfulness that is belied by his accomplishments in various fields, especially watchmaking. His visionary leadership continues to connect the past, present and future of horology.

Born in Germany in 1958, Karl-Friedrich Scheufele grew up in the city of Pforzheim. In 1963 his family took over the Geneva-based watch manufacture Chopard. After his studies at “Ecole des Hautes Etudes Commerciales” in Lausanne, he joined the family company in 1979, learning the ropes "from the bottom up" by spending successive periods in all departments.

In 1980 Karl-Friedrich Scheufele presented his very first watchmaking project. As a youthful 22-year-old employee in the family Manufacture at the time, he submitted an idea to his father for a watch to be named St. Moritz that soon became an icon of its time. Today, the new Alpine Eagle sports chic timepiece collection is a state-of-the-art reinterpretation of the St. Moritz watch.

In 1996, when watch Maisons still relied on third-party movements, Karl-Friedrich Scheufele pioneered in-house movement manufacturing, championing independence and authenticity. This dedication led to ground-breaking achievements, such as the world's first sapphire-gong minute repeater, earning Chopard the prestigious Grand-Prix d’Horlogerie award in 2017. Most L.U.C timepieces bear both the Poinçon de Genève and COSC certifications, a testament to his unwavering commitment to authenticity. He established L.U.CEUM, a private museum narrating humanity's timekeeping journey, and revived Ferdinand Berthoud's legacy in 2013, winning a GPHG award in 2016.

Karl-Friedrich Scheufele's appreciation for authenticity extends beyond horology. Chopard became the key partner to the 1000 Miglia in 1988, elevating it to a global vintage-car driver's event highlight. He ventured into the world of wine by acquiring Château Monestier La Tour in France's Bergerac region, a property he meticulously restored and transformed into a bastion of biodynamic farming.

Not only a champion of authenticity, but Scheufele is also an aesthetic visionary. His watches, like the iconic L.U.C 1860, blend technical innovation with neoclassical beauty. His art collection reflects this duality, ranging from German Renaissance artist Albrecht Dürer to street artist Shepard Fairey.

Karl-Friedrich Scheufele prioritizes long-term vision, cherishing Chopard's heritage while ushering in modern innovation. In 2018, with his sister Caroline Scheufele, he committed Chopard to 100% ethical gold use. In 2023, the Maison announced that all Chopard's steel watches will be made from Lucent Steel™, with recycling rates reaching 90% by 2025. Scheufele's journey continues, seamlessly connecting Chopard's past, present, and future.