Chopard Exquisite Creation Shines as the Crown Jewel
of the 76th Cannes Film Festival
Crafted with Unmatched Brilliance in Chopard Haute Joaillerie Ateliers
As the sole jeweler entrusted with the prestigious Palme d'Or, the most coveted award in the realm of cinematography, Chopard has fostered an extraordinary bond with the Cannes Film Festival since 1998. This iconic trophy, which serves as the cornerstone of our unrivaled partnership, embodies the Maison deep-rooted passion for cinema and unwavering commitment to sustainable luxury. Since 2014, the Palme d'Or has been meticulously handcrafted using Fairmined-certified ethical gold, symbolizing our dedication to responsible practices. At the 76th Cannes Film Festival, director Justine Triet received this esteemed accolade for her extraordinary film Anatomy of a Fall. Let us embark on an intimate journey to discover the allure of this highly acclaimed masterpiece.
A Serendipitous Encounter
In 1997, Caroline Scheufele, Co-President and Artistic Director of Chopard, crossed paths with Pierre Viot, the President of the Cannes International Film Festival at that time. A simple inquiry about the festival partnered jeweler led to a pivotal moment of inspiration. Caroline proposed that Chopard become the official jeweler for the event and envisioned a contemporary redesign for the Palme d'Or. Pierre Viot embraced the idea, marking the birth of an exceptional alliance between Chopard and the Cannes Festival. Over the years, this collaboration has thrived, giving rise to the Trophée Chopard in 2001, an accolade celebrating emerging talents in cinema, both male and female.
A Timeless Icon
"The Palme d'Or signifies the beginning of our commitment to cinema," says Caroline Scheufele. "For 26 years, we have crafted this award with unrelenting enthusiasm and passion within our Geneva Haute Joaillerie ateliers. It is an immense responsibility, as we are not only the exclusive jeweler entrusted with creating this trophy, but its emotional resonance and symbolic significance are truly unparalleled." The Palme d'Or, paying homage to the palm trees gracing La Croisette and the coat-of-arms of Cannes, which recounts Saint Honorat refuge in a palm tree during a storm that expelled snakes from the Lérins Islands, underwent a complete transformation under the visionary touch of Caroline Scheufele in 1998. Previously crafted in a small Parisian workshop, the Cannes trophy was gold-plated and mounted on a Plexiglas base. Chopard elevated it to the realm of a precious jewel, meticulously fashioning it with 18-carat yellow gold and rock crystal. The jeweler infused the 19 leaves of the "divine" golden palm branch with a sense of volume and movement, as if gently swaying in a sea breeze, while adorning the stem with a heart, the signature of our esteemed Maison. Resting on a block of rock crystal, sculpted in the form of an emerald-cut diamond, each Palme d'Or exudes a unique allure, with natural inclusions adding to its singular charm.
118 Grams of Ethical Gold
With the exception of select editions embellished with diamonds to commemorate significant milestones such as the Festival 70th and 75th anniversaries, and the 25th anniversary of Chopard partnership in 2022, the timeless design of the Palme d'Or has remained unaltered since 1998. However, in 2014, as part of our continued Journey to Sustainable Luxury initiated in 2013, Chopard took a significant stride by utilizing Fairmined-certified ethical gold for the creation of the Cannes award. This responsibly sourced artisanal gold marked a historic milestone as the Palme d'Or became the first film industry prize to be crafted from this certified ethical precious metal.
Unparalleled Craftsmanship
The secrets of crafting the illustrious Palme reside within the extraordinary expertise found in Chopard Geneva ateliers. The creation of this ultimate prize demands an astounding 70 hours of meticulous work, entrusted to a single jeweler who oversees every stage of production with the assistance of six skilled artisans. The journey begins with the melting of gold within our Geneva workshops, followed by pouring it into a carefully crafted mold, designed to capture the intricate details of the palm branch, delicately sculpted in wax. Through the ancient technique of "lost wax casting," the golden branch emerges as the wax melts during the firing process. The jeweler meticulously trims, cleans, and polishes the award from every angle, culminating in its secure placement upon a rock crystal cushion. Finally, the Palme d'Or stands ready to be unveiled before the world cameras at the Cannes Film Festival, an event that garners international attention second only to the Olympic Games. In addition to the Palme d'Or, Chopard Haute Joaillerie ateliers also fashion the other eight prestigious awards presented during the closing ceremony, including the Best Actress Award, Best Actor Award, Grand Prix, Best Director Award, Screenplay Award, Jury Prize, Short Film Palme d'Or, and Caméra d'Or.
The Unwavering Symbol of a Legendary Festival
The Palme d'Or remains an indomitable symbol of the illustrious Cannes Film Festival, encapsulating the extraordinary relationship between Chopard and the festival, succinctly expressed in the phrase "Chopard Loves Cinema."
On May 27th, 2023, the esteemed jury of the 76th Cannes Film Festival honored Justine Triet with the Palme d'Or for her extraordinary film Anatomy of a Fall.