Chopard’s Alpine Eagle collection, described by the brand as “inspired by the power of the eagle and the beauty of the Alps,” debuted in late 2019 with 10 time-and-date references in two case sizes. The sport-luxury series, which traces its origins to the Chopard St. Moritz watch of the late 1970s, now expands to include an “extra-large” 44-mm flyback chronograph version in three distinct executions. Here’s the lowdown on the new Alpine Eagle XL Chrono.
Three variations are available, all with integrated bracelets. Two are in Chopard’s in-house-developed A223 Lucent steel, one with an Aletsch blue dial, the other with a dial in Pitch Black, used here for the first time. The third, also with a Pitch Black dial, combines Lucent steel with Chopard’s “ethical” rose gold for a two-tone look. The 44-mm cases are notable for their right-side-mounted chronograph pushers that are elegantly integrated on either side of the crown guards. The dials maintain the textured motif established by their predecessors in the collection, evoking an eagle’s iris, along with the seconds hand whose counterweight is shaped like an eagle feather. Surrounding the tricompax dial is an inner bezel ring with a tachymeter scale, highlighted at the 100, 160, and 240 markers with red detailing. The bezel features eight functional indexed screws at the key points and a compass rose engraved on the bezel — both elements characteristic of the Alpine Eagle collection.
Chopard says that the new Pitch Black color used for the dials of both the steel and bi-material versions was developed to represent “the intense blackness of mountain nights” and thus a reminder of how urbanization and man-made lighting have disrupted the natural beauty of Alpine vistas. The bi-material model uses ethically sourced 18k rose gold for its bezel, crown, and central bracelet links, while the other elements are in Lucent steel, a special alloy developed by Chopard that boasts a high level of brilliance as well as anti-allergenic properties.
Inside all three new timepieces is a chronometer-certified, self-winding movement, Chopard’s in-house Caliber 03.05-C, which boasts four patents. It is equipped with a column wheel to drive the chronograph functions, including the flyback mechanism that enables quick and easy successive time measurements via its use of three pivoting hammers. Its vertical clutch guarantees accuracy in stopwatch start times, and its built-in Variner device helps keep the movement’s rate stable by compensating for varying levels of inertia. On display behind the caseback’s sapphire window, and wound by an openworked tungsten rotor, Caliber 03.05-C beats at a frequency of 28,800 vph (4 Hz) and amasses a power reserve of 60 hours.
The Alpine Eagle XL Chrono is available now, priced at $19,200 for the models in Lucent steel A223, and at $26,800 for the bi-material piece in Lucent steel and 18k gold. For more details on the Alpine Eagle collection, click here.
To large!