Russell Sheldrake
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The Chopard Alpine Eagle collection was introduced in 2019, and in the proceeding six years, the luxury sports watch has taken on a life of its own. In this latest clutch of releases unveiled at Watches and Wonders Geneva 2025, we have a first in the collection, an advancement in materials, and an exciting new tourbillon. Let’s get stuck right in.Chopard Alpine Eagle 41 SL Cadence 8HFLet's start with my favourite of the new Alpine Eagle releases, the 41 SL Cadence 8HF: the newest addition to Chopard's range of high-frequency watches. Not only does this watch contain the latest ultra-fast beating movement from the Swiss brand, but it is also the lightest Alpine Eagle they've ever created, with a case and movement made entirely from ceramised titanium, ensuring no gram goes to waste. We’ve seen this material used by Chopard before for watches like the L.U.C Time Traveller One Black, but this is the first time we’ve seen it used on an Alpine Eagle.The case measures 41mm across and 9.75mm thick, and it has gained a hardness of 1,000 Vickers thanks to a process oxidising the titanium using electro-plasma technology. This develops the watch's anthracite grey colour that is carried across to the movement, which has been given the exact same treatment, with as many of its components as possible being made out of the same grade 5 titanium.This movement continues a long line of high-frequency calibres from Chopard and speaks to the advantages provided by the brand's vertical integration and its own movement manufacture. Its in-house calibre 01.41C runs at a lightning quick 8Hz (double the speed of a standard mechanical watch movement) yet still achieves 60 hours of power reserve. It can do this thanks to the use of monocrystalline silicon across the pallet lever, escape wheel and impulse pin.Turning the watch over, the monochromatic dial keeps the rich texture that the Alpine Eagle collection has become known for but does away with any rich colours. Opting instead for a deep black that is matched by the shadowy applied numerals and hands set, only contrasted by the bright flashes of orange that have come to signify Chopard's high frequency range. There is a small tone-on-tone date window at 4:30 that has been pushed all the way to the edge of the dial. All of this high frequency and high tech material will set you back a relatively low amount at US$25,000, but it is limited to 250 pieces.BrandChopardModelAlpine Eagle 41 SL Cadence 8HFReference298600-3028Case Dimensions41mm (D) x 9.75mm (T)Case materialCeramised grade 5 titaniumWater Resistance100 metresCrystal(s)Sapphire front and backDialBlack sunburstBracelet and strapBlack or orange rubber with titanium insert, or black calf leatherMovementCalibre 01.14C, 8Hz high frequenceyPower Reserve60 hoursFunctionsHours, minutes, seconds, dateAvailabilityNowPriceUS$25,000Chopard Alpine Eagle 41 XP CS PlatinumPlatinum is often thought of as the pinnacle of precious metals, and it has finally reached the Alpine Eagle collection with the new 41 XP CS Platinum. While it may appear at first glance to be a standard model just cast in a new (and precious) metal, there have been a couple of subtle design tweaks that make this feel ever so slightly more refined than previous versions.To mark this model out as being made from platinum, Chopard has adopted its own hand-engraved hallmark of a small bumblebee that can be found tucked just underneath the left shoulder of the watch. This is a symbol that the brand has adopted since the 19th century, identifying with the insect's hardworking and collaborative nature.The dial is in a light blue, a colour that many in the watch world associate with platinum, with Chopard labelling their particular version of it Shades of Ice, continuing the tradition of giving dial colours names that link them back to the Alps (or occasionally the Australian Outback). This Alpine Eagle’s dial is shown off even more here as the bezel of the watch has been thinned down to really open up the shades of ice colour, making this 41mm case feel slightly smaller than its true size.Inside, we have an exceptional movement from Chopard's L.U.C range, the micro-rotor-utilising and Poin?on de Geneve-touting calibre 96.42 L, which ensures that this sports watch is able to keep pace with the brand's highest-end movements.BrandChopardModelAlpine Eagle 41 XP CS PlatinumReference295396-9001Case Dimensions41mm (D) x 8mm (T)Case materialPlatinumWater Resistance100 metresCrystal(s)Sapphire front and backDialShades of Ice blueBracelet and strapIntegrated platinum braceletMovementL.U.C 996.42-LPower Reserve65 hoursFunctionsHours, minutes, secondsAvailabilityNowPriceUS$110,500Chopard Alpine Eagle Flying TourbillonThe final watch in this new collection comes in the most common of case metals but with one of the least common of movements: a tourbillon movement. The Alpine Eagle Flying Tourbillon comes encased in the brand's trademarked steel alloy, Lucent Steel, which is comprised of at least 80% recycled materials and gives this watch a surprising lustre without the weight of a precious metal.The L.U.C 96.24-L makes its first appearance inside the Alpine Eagle line, despite its signature complication, the flying tourbillon, having been a part of the family since 2022. This classical complication creates a wonderful contrast with the modern, sporty aesthetic that the Alpine Eagle has really made its own over its short lifespan, letting this watch seamlessly transition from sports to dress watch in the blink of an eye.This movement has also received Poin?on de Geneve certification, meaning that the level of finishing on display through the sapphire caseback is of some of the finest found in the city of Geneva. Thanks to the thinness of the movement, the watch's overall thickness only clocks in at 8mm, adding to the classy vibes this watch gives off.To ensure that the flying tourbillon continues to soar for as long as possible, Chopard has built two barrels into the movement using the brand's Twin technology, which means the barrels are mounted co-axially without compromising the sveltness that is characteristic of this model.BrandChopardModelAlpine Eagle Flying TourbillonReference298616-3003Case Dimensions41mm (D) x 8mm (T)Case materialStainless steelWater Resistance100 metresCrystal(s)Sapphire front and backDialLight blueBracelet and strapIntegrated stainless steelMovementL.U.C 96.24-LPower Reserve65 hoursFunctionsHours, minutes, seconds, flygin tourbillonAvailabilityNowPriceUS$126,500Closing thoughtsOverall, these three new additions to the Alpine Eagle push the collection to new heights in watchmaking and material uses. There is no doubt in my mind that this family of integrated bracelet sports watches will continue its sharp ascent through the brand's collection and the perception of watch lovers around the world.
27.04.25