Chopard Extends Its Collection With Two Alpine Eagle XL Chrono Models And The Skeletonized Titanium Alpine Eagle 41 XP TT

The Chopard Alpine Eagle 41 XPS is one of my favorite releases of the past few years. The watch came out last year at Watches and Wonders and proved to be one of the show’s highlights. It’s spectacular salmon/copper dial shows the incredible potential of the watch. Not only is the color spectacular, but adding small seconds and removing the date also turned out to be a masterstroke by Chopard. This year, Chopard unveils more new Alpine Eagle models at Watches and Wonders. One is the skeletonized Alpine Eagle 41 XP TT in Grade 5 titanium. The other two new introductions are the Alpine Eagle XL Chrono in rose gold and Grade 5 titanium. They are more proof that the Alpine Eagle is popular for a reason.

Lex and I were immediately smitten with the Chopard Alpine Eagle 41 XPS when it came out during Watches and Wonders last year. But the story got even better once we had it in the office for review. We were absolutely in awe of how nicely last year’s Chopard success story wears on the wrist. It is amazingly comfortable and looks wonderful, as Lex explained in his review. But that wasn’t the only Alpine Eagle model that stood out. The stealthy black-dial Shikkoku edition was another highlight of last year’s Alpine Eagle releases. For this year, Chopard has three new Alpine Eagle models. Let’s take a look.

The new Chopard Alpine Eagle XL Chrono Rose Gold

Let’s kick things off with the new rose gold version of the Chopard Alpine Eagle XL Chrono. This one (ref. 295393-5002) is not the very first rose gold Alpine Eagle XL Chrono. However, it is the first to feature a rose gold bracelet. The result is a seriously impressive-looking Alpine Eagle. The XL Chrono version features a 44mm rose gold case that is 13.15mm thick and 100m water resistant. The round bezel is characterized by its eight screws, which are also executed in rose gold and perfectly aligned with the curvature of the bezel.

As you can see in the image above, the chronograph pushers integrate nicely into the crown guards. The crown, crown protectors, and pushers are also executed in rose gold. Additionally, the comfortable Alpine Eagle bracelet is made of rose gold. It features large brushed links with polished center caps and a butterfly clasp with a push-button release. We find the same mix of finishes on the case too. Most of the case surfaces feature a brushed finish with some polished details.

A nice combination of colors and materials

The rose gold exterior is combined with a brass Bernina gray dial featuring the familiar sunburst pattern inspired by an eagle’s iris. The three sub-dials are executed in the same color and feature circular graining with the markings and numerals executed in a lighter blue color. At 3 and 9 o’clock, the sub-dials each feature a rose gold border and a rose gold hand with a red detail. The red color hints at the watch’s chronograph function and corresponds with the red tip of the central chronograph seconds hand. The small seconds register at 6 o’clock also features a rose gold hand, but it’s filled with white Grade X1 Super-LumiNova, just like the central hour and minute hands.

As you can see, the only Roman numerals left on the Alpine Eagle XL Chrono’s dial are at 12. All the other indices are applied rose gold batons with lume, and some of them are cut off due to the placement of the sub-dials. The tachymeter scale sits on the rehaut of the dial, its markings printed in light blue. I love how the Chopard designers chose different shades of blue rather than blue and white. It gives the dial a stylish presence that feels far more refined than a blue-and-white version would have.

The in-house Chopard 03.05-C caliber

Within this Alpine Eagle XL Chrono lies Chopard’s in-house caliber 03.05-C. This 310-part automatic flyback chronograph movement operates at 28,800vph and has 45 jewels and a power reserve of 60 hours. The movement is certified as a chronometer by COSC and features a unidirectional gear-drive system, a patented vertical clutch, and an open-worked central rotor in 22K gold.

This movement also features a date function (visible at 4:30 on the dial) and is a joy to see in action through the display case back. The new Chopard Alpine Eagle XL Chrono in 18K rose gold with Bernina Grey dial will be available for CHF 69,800. What you get in return is rather stunning indeed.

The new Chopard Alpine Eagle XL Chrono Titanium

The second new Alpine Eagle XL Chrono (ref. 298609-3008) is executed in titanium and features a “Rhône Blue” dial. It features the same 44mm case that is 13.15mm thick, but it’s made from Grade 5 titanium. The case features a beautiful mix of brushed and polished finishes, showing that titanium is an impressive material for high-end watches. Chopard has combined the case with a light blue dial made of brass with the familiar Alpine Eagle sunburst pattern. Black sub-dials and a black rehaut contrast the Rhône Blue color in style. As you can see, the date at 4:30 has a color-matching date disc in light blue with dark blue printing.

Additionally, the hands follow the same design aesthetic as on the rose gold model. The rhodium-plated hands of the chronograph counters feature a red tip. They correspond with the red tip of the central chronograph hand, hinting at the watch’s complication. The rhodium-plated hands and applied indices also have a reasonable application of white Grade X1 Super-LumiNova.

Flipping it around…

The exhibition case back features a sapphire crystal with a printed outline of the Alpine Eagle logo. Additionally, it gives a good view of the same chronometer-certified caliber 03.05-C that also powers the rose gold model. It boasts the same specs as I mentioned earlier — most notably, a 28,800vph frequency and a 60-hour power reserve.

The main difference is that the movement in this titanium model features a tungsten rotor rather than a rose gold one. Additionally, the watch dons a black rubber strap with a titanium pin buckle. The new Chopard Alpine Eagle XL Chrono in Grade 5 titanium with a Rhône Blue dial is a boutique exclusive and will cost CHF 23,700.

The Chopard Alpine Eagle 41 XP TT

Lastly, there is the Chopard Alpine Eagle 41 XP TT (ref. 298630-3001). This time, Chopard forgoes the signature dial with the eagle-iris pattern. The skeletonized version of the Alpine Eagle gives the watch a completely different look and feel. Let’s take a look at some details. The watch has a 41mm Grade 5 titanium case that is only 8mm thick with a 100m water resistance rating. It also has a satin-brushed case band with polished chamfers, and the bezel is Grade 5 titanium, while the crown is Lucent Steel. The watch comes fitted with a titanium bracelet with brushed links and polished center caps. Additionally, the bracelet features a Lucent steel butterfly clasp with a push-button release.

Overall, this Alpine Eagle 41 XP TT is a lightweight version of the Alpine Eagle. But the story of the watch is all about the skeletonized look. As you can see, the watch does not feature a dial, making it possible to see the inner workings of the in-house L.U.C 96.17-S caliber on the front and the back. The open-worked mainplate and bridges ensure that you get a good view of the mechanics of the movement.

The ultra-thin L.U.C 96.17-S movement

Additionally, the bridges and mainplate have a sandblasted finish to contrast with the case and attract your attention. They have also received a black rhodium plating to contrast nicely with the gilded gear trains. The floating hour markers are secured to the inner bezel ring without a dial. Both the indices and hands are plated with silver rhodium and are filled with white Grade X1 Super-LumiNova. Overall, the look of the dial side is not as open as we see with some of the competing brand’s skeletonized offerings. As a result, the aesthetic is not ultra-futuristic.

That same aesthetic continues if we turn the watch around. The off-center micro-rotor in 22K gold immediately catches the eye. Additionally, the engraving on it indicates that it’s part of the brand’s L.U.C series of movements. The ultra-slim automatic caliber consists of 167 parts, operates at 28,800vph, and has 65 hours of power reserve thanks to the two stacked barrels. Overall, it’s an impressive ultra-thin movement that suits the overall aesthetic perfectly. It makes this Chopard Alpine Eagle 41 XP TT the perfect fit for someone who’s looking for a lightweight version and loves a technical but classy aesthetic. The Chopard Alpine Eagle 41 XP TT will be available for CHF 22,500.

Final thoughts on the new Chopard Alpine Eagle additions

The three new releases show the versatility of the Alpine Eagle line quite well. I especially love the rose gold version of the Alpine Eagle XL Chrono. It’s an impressive watch that looks rather stunning. While the 44mm chronographs are rather large, seeing them in the metal leaves a lasting impression. The same goes for the skeletonized Alpine Eagle 41 XP TT. This is a trio of solid new additions to the Alpine Eagle collection that will surely win fans over. While I don’t think these watches are as impressive as last year’s salmon-dial Alpine Eagle 41 XPS, they do show the attractiveness of the Alpine Eagle line in both aesthetic and technical brilliance.

For more information, please visit the official Chopard website. Let us know in the comments section what your thoughts are on the new Choppard Alpine Eagle models.