Chopard reintroduces the notion of the 1980s sports watch, which was first popularized by Gerald Genta almost overnight when he developed the iconic Royal Oak for Audemars Piguet in 1972.It came after Managing Director Georges Golay of Audemars Piguet made an urgent request for the creation of a sports watch for the next morning.
The use of exposed screws on the bezel of the Alpine Eagle is a clear homage to the Royal Oak. Although visible screws are now commonly recognized, watch collectors felt Genta had a loose screw when he initially displayed the watch over 50 years ago. The Chopard Alpine Eagle collection debuted in 2019 as a direct successor to its iconic St. Moritz sports watch line, which initially debuted in 1980.
This new Alpine Eagle model is only available in a limited edition of 250 pieces. The Chopard Calibre 01.12-C, with a high-frequency escapement that beats at 57,600 vibrations per hour, is a stunningly beautiful 41 mm titanium sports watch that houses one of Chopard’s most sophisticated movements (8 Hz).
The Alpine Eagle is designed to be light on the wrist while remaining durable throughout use. It is not only pleasant, but it is also extremely precise. The Chopard Calibre 01.12-C High Frequency movement features a 60-hour power reserve and is certified by the COSC as a chronometer. Chopard has been a pioneer in the creation of High Frequency chronometer certified movements since 2012. The titanium L.U.C 8HF watches have become true collector’s items.
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Unlike the other Alpine Eagle watches in the series, which are made of the Chopard-specific alloy Lucent Steel A223, or ethical gold, the Alpine Eagle Cadence is made of titanium, which gives it a lower weight and a deeper color than the lightweight Lucent Steel.
If you’re new with the Alpine Eagle line, its exquisite aesthetics are governed by a series of design codes. Satin-brushed bezel, case middle, and broad bracelet links. The case bevels and the center cap of these links are polished. In addition, the bezel’s eight screws are positioned perpendicular to the bezel circle.
The Alpine Eagle Cadence’s dial is unmistakably unique. It has a “eagle iris” design, which pays homage to the keen vision of the high-flying birds of prey that inspired the collection. The dial’s hue is different from the rest of the series, with hand-patinated color work that gives each dial a unique tint. The Vals Grey hue is named from the same-named hamlet in the Swiss canton of Graubünden, which is noted for its quartzite-tiled roofs.
Beating inside the titanium case is Chopard 01.12-C HF COSC Certified that comes with 60 hours of power reserve.
