The Alpine Eagle was a venerable hit for Chopard when launched in 2019, and since then, has gone on to include numerous size, dial and material variations. This year, the Maison has released a new addition to the Alpine Eagle collection, the 41mm XPS with all new the L.U.C 96.40-L movement and at only 8mm thick!
The Chopard Alpine Eagle over the past few years has put the historic brand that Louis-Ulysee Chopard created over 160 years ago back on the map for the contemporary watch collector. An integrated steel sports watch that was a re-interpretation of the St Moritz line from 1980, it was an instant hit at release and at the centre of this, that “Iris of the Eagle” dial that is stunning, in a range of colours that changes in different light.
This year, Chopard has released yet another incarnation of the Alpine Eagle, the Apline Eagle 41 XPS. However, this isn’t just a new colourway variant. Chopard has given the Alpine Eagle a new movement in the form of the the L.U.C 96.40-L movement, which is only 3mm think, almost 2mm thinner than the previous Chopard 01.01-C calibre, and complete with 22 carat yellow gold micro rotor. The L.U.C 96.40-L movement also has a 65hr power reserve that comes from the twin stacked barrels and is both COSC and receives the Poinçon de Genève hallmark to top this off!
Due to the slimness of the new L.U.C movement, Chopard has been able to slim the watch case down to just 8 mm thick, losing several millimetres from the previous models. In addition, the sides and bezel have been trimmed compared to a classic Alpine Eagle Large model, resulting in a wider dial. Like the classic Alpine Eagle models, the case and bracelet is made from Chopard’s unique Lucent Steel A223, an innovative steel alloy composed of 85% recycled materials, developed by Chopard for its anti-allergenic virtues, its robustness and its incomparable brilliance achieved through a meticulous recasting process.
The standout however, aside from the L.U.C 96.40-L Movement is that dial! Chopard calls this Monte Rosa Pink, and is inspired by the palette of natural colours composing the beauty of the Alpine landscape after which the second highest mountain range in the Alps is named. Like previous models, the dial mimics the iris of the eagle, and is textured on a brass base.
To offset the gold dial, Chopard has given the Alpine Eagle 41 XPS white gold hands, Roman numerals and applied indices, all of which are enhanced with Grade X1 Super-LumiNova® – which is 60% more luminous than traditional LumiNova and more resistant to ageing. It also gives the watch a slightly more luxurious feel, compared to the Rhodium plated numerals and indices on the original 41mm steel models.
Another new feature is the small seconds hand, sitting in the 6 O’clock position. Chopard have broken up the aesthetic of the Iris of the Eagle dial via this, and have given it a multi-textured finish – a grained circular pattern on the inner, with seconds track on the media blasted outer, all inset in a white gold ring to offset this from the main dial.
All in all, Chopard have taken a modern classic and enhanced it for the better. A thinner case that is more trimmed and taught, new in-house movement complete with COSC and Poinçon de Genève certification, wider dial to show off the Iris of the Eagle and encased in their proprietary Lucent Steel. This is one piece that I’ll be dying to try on at the first chance, and hopefully, will be just as, if not better than the current 41mm Alpine Eagle collection.
Reference: 298623-3001
Specification
- Case: 42mm, 8mm Thick
- Case: Polished and brushed finished slucent steel A223
- Dial: Monte Rosa Pink colour achieved by galvanic treatment, made of brass stamped with a radiating pattern inspired by the iris of an eagle
- Hands/Indices: Applied white gold hour-markers and numerals with baton-type hours and minutes hands enhanced with Grade X1 Super-LumiNova®
- Crystal: Scratch-resistant sapphire crystal with anti-reflective treatment
- Water resistance: 100m (10BAR)
- Movement: In House L.U.C 96.40-L movement, 3mm thick with 22 carat yellow gold micro-rotor. Two stacked barrels – Chopard Twin technology, bridges adorned with Côtes de Genève motif and variable-inertia balance, balance-spring with Phillips terminal curve
- Power reserve: 65 hours
- Bracelet: Lucent Steel A223 tapering bracelet with satin-brushed wide link and sides, polished central cap and triple folding clasp with safety pushers
