Fergus Nash
Chopard's releases for Dubai Watch Week 2023 reflect the city's growing luxury market.Four new references are included in the Alpine Eagle Summit collection, all featuring gem-set gold cases.The L.U.C Strike One is now available as a teal-dialled limited edition in white gold.Dubai Watch Week isn't the most biggest of fairs, but it's always intriguing to see which brands turn up with their A-game, and which ones phone it in. It's probably fair to say that Chopard aren't capable of bringing less than an A game due to the sheer quality of their work, but their releases for this year's Dubai Watch Week simply introduce some new references of existing watches. Given the city’s penchant for luxury goods, it's fitting that the Chopard Alpine Eagle and L.U.C Strike One have been given some precious updates.Chopard's catalogue is full of beauty, but it's hard to deny the universal allure of the Alpine Eagle as their most visually striking dial. Inspired by the iris of eagles which circle the Swiss Alps, this gently swirled pattern of brushing is much deeper than most other sunburst dials. It gives off an charming depth that intensifies whichever colour it's paired with, and each new colour release is something to look forward to. These four new references really focus on the colour of their materials rather than dials, however, with one exception which we'll leave until last. Each of them have gemstone-set bezels with a gentle gradient between two tones that compliment the case material, and colour-matched dial. The yellow gold case transitions between pink and white, the rose gold case goes from red-brown into white, and the first of two white gold models uses a pale, apple-green before turning transparent. The final reference is also cased in white gold, but makes a powerful punch with blue and purple sapphires in the bezel, and a vibrant Zinal blue dial inspired by the Alpine landscape.As far as the Chopard Alpine Eagle Summits' specifications are concerned, they're pretty much the same as any of the other 41mm Alpine Eagles. The 9.7mm thickness and 100-metre water resistance balance comfort with utility, although the integrated bracelet design does expand the lug-to-lug length to effectively 53mm. The movement is the in-house calibre Chopard 01.15-C, which removes the date display from the standard 01.01-C as seen on the Shikkoku limited edition. The calibre has a 60-hour power reserve, a 4Hz beat rate, and COSC certification for accuracy within -4/+6 seconds per day.Last year, Chopard celebrated the L.U.C collection's 25th anniversary by revolutionising chiming watches. The L.U.C Strike One was actually originally announced in 2006, but of course it's been through some major changes in its latest version. Visually, it's much closer to the modern recreation of the L.U.C XPS 1860 which launched the L.U.C branch. Gone is the 10 o'clock pusher which turns on the striking mode, now integrated into the pusher. To be clear, this isn't a minute repeater, but it will chime the hours whenever the striking is activated. You can see the hammer peeking through an open section of the dial at 1 o'clock, hitting a sapphire gong that's directly connected to the crystal for a wide resonant surface. The larger the resonating area is, the more low frequencies it can produce, leading to a fuller chiming tone.This new edition of the Chopard L.U.C Strike One is a limited edition of 25 pieces in an 18k white gold case, appearing rather more stealthy than the rose gold edition of last year. The dial is a charming teal which rides the line between green, blue and grey, complimented by a ghostly grey alligator leather strap. The guilloche patterns they use in the different sectors are quite dynamic as well, allowing the colours to display their full range as the light falls across them. The L.U.C 96.32-L has a 65-hour power reserve, a 4Hz beat rate, and is also COSC-certified.Chopard Alpine Eagle Summit and L.U.C Strike One pricing and availabilityThe Chopard L.U.C Strike One is a limited edition of 25 pieces, while the Alpine Eagles are unlimited and available from Chopard retailers. Price: US$66,000 (L.U.C Strike One), US$77,600 (Alpine Eagle in rose gold), US$85,400 (Alpine Eagle in yellow or white gold)BrandChopardModelAlpine Eagle SummitL.U.C Strike OneReference Number295363-0002295363-1007295363-1008295363-5013161949-1001Case Dimensions41mm (D) x 9.7mm (T) x 47mm (LTL) (Alpine Eagle Summit)40mm (D) x 9.86mm (T) (Strike One)Case Material18k yellow, rose or white gold (Alpine Eagle Summit)18k white gold (Strike One)Water Resistance100 metres (Alpine Eagle Summit)N/A (Strike One)Crystal(s)SapphireDialGolden peak, Zinal blue, Vals grey, Pink dawn (Alpine Eagle Summit)Grey-green (Strike One)Strap18k gold bracelet, butterfly clasp (Alpine Eagle Summit)Grey leather strap, 18k white gold clasp (Strike One)Movement01.15-C, in-house, automatic (Alpine Eagle Summit)L.U.C 96.32-L, in-house, micro-rotor automaticPower Reserve60 hours (Alpine Eagle Summit)65 hours (Strike One)FunctionsHours, minutes, seconds (Alpine Eagle)Hours, minutes, small seconds, sonnerie au passage (Strike One)AvailabilityNow (Alpine Eagle Summit)Limited to 25 pieces (Strike One)PriceUS$66,000 (L.U.C Strike One)US$77,600 (Alpine Eagle in rose gold)US$85,400 (Alpine Eagle in yellow or white gold)
18.11.23