Charriol
 | |
| Privately held | |
| Industry | Fashion |
| Founded | 1983 |
| Founder | Philippe Charriol |
| Headquarters | Geneva, Switzerland |
Number of locations | 187 boutiques[1] |
| Products | jewellery/watches |
| Website | www.charriol.com |
Charriol is a Swiss manufacturer of jewellery, watches, leather goods and fashion accessories. The company was founded in Geneva by Philippe Charriol, a French entrepreneur. Founded in 1983 by Philippe Charriol in Geneva, CHARRIOL is an international luxury brand that specializes in fine Swiss timepieces, jewelry, and accessories. It is currently distributed through a global network of 3,200 retailers, 490 Corners, and more than 180 Boutiques.
Philippe Charriol, a devotee of art and history, drew inspiration from the Celtic culture in order to create his maiden collection in 1983 - the Celtic Collection. He was the first to use gold cable, or steel cable, as a decorative motif and as a watch bracelet. This unique concept is patented and CHARRIOL still holds exclusive worldwide rights over it.
The watch collection consists of several distinct lines with 18kt gold or steel models. These are the Actor, Alexandre, Colvmbvs, Rotonde by Charriol, Saint Tropez, and Parisii.
The brand has sold over 1.35 million watches, 2.4 million pieces of jewellery and 550,000 belts. Since 1988, Charriol has also marketed 600,000 handbags and more than 500,000 writing instruments.
History
Charriol was founded in 1983, when Philippe Charriol decided to launch the company all across the Americas, Asia, and Europe. 1983 - Philippe Charriol launches his own "Philippe Charriol" brand. Inspried by Celtic torcs, he creates the signature cable watch, also known as Celtic.
1984 - The first Celtic jewellery was created in vermeil. Additionally, the Celtic belt was created.
1985 - The Alexandre watch was created. Swiss and Hong Kong companies had been founded.
1988 - The Christopher Columbus watch was invented.
1989: The St-Tropez line of watches, the Celtic Ballpen, and the first Châteaux de France bags and small leather goods.
1990: Extra large Celtic and automatic Yucatán watches were launched. In the same year, the first boutiques opened in Hong Kong and Singapore, taking up the "Colums" boutique concept.
1992: A wider boutique network with 10 more openings in Asia and the Middle East, plus corners in the USA. In 1992, the Philippe Charriol Group was operating in nearly 60 countries.
1993: New lines were launched: new Celtic watches, new Celtic Fountain Pens and Roller pens, Celtic bags and glasses.
1994: First step of the brand in the no cable world.
1995: Upgrading of the Celtic line in the "Haute Horlogerie" with 18kt Celtic "Le Tourbillon" watch. Enlargement of the Celtic jewelry watches (full paved with 18kt Cascade bracelet, precious stones), and a larger collection of 18kt Celtic Jewelry. Development of the Automatic Chronograph Venturi and upgrading of the St-Tropez collection with the launching of the round Silver.
1996: The Philippe Charriol Supersport Trophy in car racing gave birth to the SuperSportS Automatic Chronograph. Opening of the first boutique in China.
1997: Launching of the Colvmbvs Rectangular, St-Tropez 18kt with 18kt bracelet, Silver Celtic Jewelry, Coralys bags and opening of the first boutique in Tokyo.
1998: The no cable part of the collection is extended with the reinforcing of the Colvmbvs line. Launching of the Diablo Automatic Chronograph (in relation with the Lamborghini Diablo).
1999: Launching of Colvmbvs XL Automatic and quartz, Mini Integral Colvmbvs, Colvmbvs tonneau chronograph quartz, Colvmbvs silver jewelry, Colvmbvs bags and small leather goods. The new Charriol corporate color becomes prune to replace the dark grey. In Asia, 5 new brqnches join the worldwide boutique network.
2000: Launching of Megeve watch and jewelry collection, Colvmbvs XL Chronograph quartz, Celtic Carre watch, Azur watches on cable bracelet, Azur and St-Tropez silver with diamonds.
2001: Megeve 18kt watch, jewelry and ladies pen collection, Coralie 18kt jewelry, new Colvmbvs Round watch collection, Colvmbvs Round Astroblade Millenium limited edition and presentation of the Celtica watch concept.
2002: 20th Anniversary of CHARRIOL brand.
Launching of Bonbons collection from Coralie 18kt Jewelry with colored precious stones, Colvmbvs Round concept 18kt Jewelry collection, gold and steel Colvmbvs rectangle collection, All Colors and All Black Colvmbvs collection, 20th Anniversary "Armilliaire" watch, Celtic black cable jewelry collection, Colvmbvs Lady Jet Set with Cognac diamonds, Megeve watch on colored leather straps.
2003: Launching of Celtic 3, new SuperSportS chrono steel & rubber, Actor's watch collection, St-Tropez All Steel Round, Rectangular and By Night model.
At that time, he was already in Hong Kong making investments on wine. In 1989, he would go on to later open the first Charriol boutique in Geneva, followed by three others in Hong Kong. In 2008, the company celebrated its 25th anniversary.
The Philippe Charriol Foundation
Philippe Charriol artistic and cultural tastes and his desire to encourage promising painters and sculptors inspired him to set up the PHILIPPE CHARRIOL Foundation in countries such as Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand and in preparation in many other countries. Every year, a competition is held in these countries to select three winning painters and three winning sculptors, with the top awards entitling the holders to a scolarship to study in Paris.
Sports sponsorship
Motorsports
Race of Champions: Charriol took part in the Race of Champions held in Beijing China in 2010. Among the best pilots in the world compete, including Michael Schumacher, David Coulthard, Sebastian Vettel, Mikko Hirvonen, and Mattias Ekstrom.
Charriol sponsored Christophe Bouchut in 2005.
Charriol sponsors SBK World Superbike Championship rider Loris Baz.
Official time-keeper of Andros Trophy 2002
Official time-keeper of Lamborghini Supertrophy 2001
Polo
Polo Masters Tour in St-Tropez, Megève and Le Touquet with Charriol Polo team.
Golf
Mission Hills Golfathon from 2007 to 2008 Regional golf tournaments in Switzerland
Basketball
Charriol became official sponsor of the Phoenix Suns from 2007 to 2008.