Editor’s note: Like you, we are also excited for the Watches & Wonders 2022 novelties. Before we get to dive deep into them, here’s our preview & Gut Reaction Review (Grr…) of the new Chopard Alpine Eagle Flying Tourbillon. For our detailed hands-on reviews, please head to our dedicated reviews section here. This is NOT a sponsored post.
The New Chopard Alpine Eagle Flying Tourbillon In A Nutshell
Ever since its launch in 2019, Chopard has had a golden egg laying machine in the Alpine Eagle. What first started as a time — and date — only distinctive Chopard Alpine Eagle Automatic integrated bracelet sports watch collection has expanded into a second generation of timepieces, subsequently adding the Chopard Alpine Eagle XL Chrono, XL Chrono Only Watch 2021 and a high-frequency calibre timepiece. The latest member to join this delightfully ever-growing family is the new Chopard Alpine Eagle Flying Tourbillon. It is released alongside a Chopard Happy Sport 33mm and Happy Sport Chrono for Watches & Wonders 2022.
Out of the three, our favorite is the Chopard Alpine Eagle Flying Tourbillon, given it is the Alpine Eagle family’s first complication watch to bear the Poinçon de Genève quality hallmark. This non-limited edition timepiece is announced on 30 March 2022 as part of the Watches & Wonders 2022 March 30 to April 5 (both online and at the Salon).
Basic Specs Of The New Chopard Alpine Eagle Flying Tourbillon
The new Chopard Alpine Eagle Flying Tourbillon features a 100m water-resistant 41mm diameter and only 8mm thick Lucent Steel A223 steel case featuring a vertical satin-brushed case middle with polished bevels and a Lucent Steel A223 bezel with eight screws set at a tangent.
Inside the ref. 29-00186163 ticks the Chopard Manufacture L.U.C 96.24-L movement which is an automatic-winding mechanical movement measuring 27.4mm x 3.3mm (and is based on the L.U.C 96.01-L presented in 1997. The movement comprises 189 components, 25 jewels, beats at the frequency of 3.5Hz (25’200 A/h), and provides a decent 65-hour power reserve. It features two stacked barrels feat. Chopard Twin technology, a flying tourbillon rotating at a rate of once minute, bridges adorned with Côtes de Genève motif, a variable-inertia balance, COSC-certification, and Poinçon de Genève quality hallmark.
Inside the 33 x 10.84mm new Happy Sport in ethical 18-carat rose gold ref. 275378-5008 ticks the calibre Chopard 09.01-C measuring 20.4 x 3.65mm. This automatic winding movement comprises 148 comments and 27 jewels, beats at the frequency of 3.5Hz, and provides a basic 42-hour power reserve. Its 30m water-resistant case features a facetted crown in ethical 18-carat rose gold set with a sapphire. On the gilded sunburst satin-brushed dial one finds gilded Roman hour-markers and characteristic five dancing diamonds.
And finally, inside the 40 x 13.9mm Happy Sport Chrono ethical 18-carat rose gold ref. 274653-5001 ticks a 28.6 x 6.1mm COSC-certified chronograph movement providing 54 hours of juice and featuring 37 jewels.
Quotable
“Inspired by a historical Chopard model reinterpreted by three generations of men from the Scheufele family, the Alpine Eagle collection has been constantly enriched since its launch by new innovations. The latest is a flying tourbillon movement developed thanks to the watchmaking expertise of Chopard Manufacture, which celebrated its 25th anniversary in 2021”.
Press release
Parting Thoughts On The New Chopard Alpine Eagle Flying Tourbillon
The star of the show here is the transparent and light tourbillon mechanism that floats amidst a textured Aletsch Blue dial whose enchanting colour has been obtained by galvanic treatment that involves a gold base being stamped with a radiating pattern inspired by the eagle’s iris.
The new Chopard Alpine Eagle Flying Tourbillon is definitely an achievement for the brand, and yet another step in establishing it as a watchmaking powerhouse rather than a jeweller making watches. This is both commendable for the brand and also good for the watchmaking industry. The fact that it is the only flying tourbillon watch in the market with both Chronometer certification and the prestigious Poinçon de Genève quality hallmark is simply the cherry on the cake.
To find out more about the new Chopard Alpine Eagle Flying Tourbillon and their other watches, please head to their website here. All images unless otherwise stated are courtesy are © Chopard, All rights reserved. Make sure to check out our reviews of other Watches & Wonders 2022 novelties here.
