25 years of CHARRIOL: a sparkling anniversary
The brand, founded by Philippe Charriol in 1983, celebrated this jubilee in the town where it was founded : Geneva.
On April 6th, Philippe Charriol gathered his partners, friends and the international press in the lounges of the Hôtel Richemond in Geneva, where he had chosen to hold the brand exhibition from April 5th to 9th 2008. The highlight of the annual event, timed to coincide with the arrival of spring and the holding of the prestigious Swiss watch trade fairs, was the CHARRIOL gala evening which took guests on a memorable journey through collections imbued with cultural references and boldly exotic touches of glamour. The atmosphere was naturally festive and proved to be one of the most amazing celebrations of the many that have expressed "l'art de vivre la difference" for a quarter of a century.
Souvenirs, souvenirs... quand nous faisions les fous ("memories, memories, when we played the fools"), as the French pioneer of rock'n'roll Johnny Hallyday used to sing. There was a bit of that in the evocation of the best moments of CHARRIOL. South African actor Roger Worrod presented six themed depictions in the form of photo albums projected on a giant screen and retracing the incredible creations and launches that have punctuated brand history. The succession of pictures was divided into two sequences: one based on the theme of ancient civilisations and great discoveries, and the second entirely dedicated to women. Both resulted in lively performances, "one-brand shows" enriched by sensational artistic feats including dance, circus and magic tricks, under the strange aegis of giant insects.
Guests were able to experience the epic "Celtic" adventure written in "cabled" lines right from the outset. The collection inspired by Celtic "torques" continues to enjoy such exceptional success that it has come to symbolise the unmistakable CHARRIOL style. The adventure then took us to the land of the Maya civilisation, founders of the stepped pyramids featured on "Yucatan" watches, and in the wake of Christopher Columbus, the spiritual forefather of the "Columbus" watches with their portholes and shackles; and culminated in some particularly sexy royal festivities.