In The Shop – Shop Spotlight: Chopard Knows How To Make Something Beautiful From Gold – The Proof Is In The Alpine Eagle
For most of the history of watchmaking, the best watches were always made from gold or other precious metals. This idea was turned on its head when the first luxury steel sports watches were released in the 1970s. These steel watches were made in angular shapes with difficult-to-master polishing along every surface. They pushed what was expected from the high-end watchmakers for the benefit of all.
Alpine Eagle 36mm In Ethical Rose Gold and Lucent Steel and Alpine Eagle 36mm In Ethical Rose Gold
It was around this time in 1980 that Chopard’s original sports watch was born, the St. Moritz. Designed by then 22-year-old Karl-Friedrich Scheufele, it was not only a steel sports watch, as the brand offered both two-tone and solid gold versions as well. Regardless of the metal, the Chopard St. Moritz was built for the person who goes from the ski slope to the gala. Someone who is at home at any event or in any outfit. So, when a bit of precious metal was added to the watch, it looked equally at home, and the gold enhanced the polished angles to create a more upscale side of its steel brethren. If you happen to prefer the steel, no problem, we have you covered here. But for those who enjoy the finer things in life, welcome to the world of Chopard gold.
With Chopard’s ability comes responsibility.
Alpine Eagle 36mm In Ethical Rose Gold and Lucent Steel
When it comes to manufacturing capabilities, Chopard is unlike any other independent watchmaker. They are part of only a handful of brands that can design and produce their own movements, and they do so in three different manufacturing facilities, including one in the Canton of Geneva, creating Geneva Seal watches. Chopard is also a premiere designer of jewelry, a strong complement to their watchmaking acumen as they have the ability to produce products in a variety of metals.
The steel used in the Alpine Eagle is called A223 Lucent Steel, which is composed of 70% recycled steel. The remaining 30% is mined nearby in European countries to reduce the carbon footprint, and Lucent Steel has a few advantages over the typical 316L steel used in most of the watch industry. Lucent Steel is more corrosive resistant, more reflective of light, and most importantly, it’s harder than 316L. This means that Lucent Steel is 50% more resistant to scratches and abrasions. With Lucent Steel, Chopard continues to produce the best possible product while also caring about that product’s impact on the environment.
Alpine Eagle 36mm In Ethical Rose Gold
This care and attention is also highlighted by Chopard’s unique perspective on using gold for it’s watches and jewelry. Since July 2018, Chopard has been part of the Responsible Jewellery Council, a group that is focused on the creation of ethically sourced gold. This means that all gold used by Chopard can be traced back to its exact origin, including all the way back to where the raw material was mined. Each step in the process must adhere to specific standards, including those protecting human rights, preventing the financing of conflict, and any legal compliance in the area from which the gold is derived. This also extends beyond Chopard’s gold and includes other precious metals and even diamonds.
Inside the watches
Alpine Eagle 36mm In Ethical Rose Gold
The 36mm Alpine Eagle is powered by the 09.01-C, a COSC-certified in-house movement with 42 hours of power reserve. This is not a pseudo-in-house caliber that is really a modified movement from another company. No, this is one that was developed, manufactured, and assembled by Chopard. Chopard will gladly let you take a peek at the movement through the sapphire caseback, it’s a well-finished piece of micro engineering worth appreciating under a loupe.
Alpine Eagle 36mm In Ethical Rose Gold and Lucent Steel
Alpine Eagle 36mm In Ethical Rose Gold and Lucent Steel
The two-tone 36mm Alpine Eagle brings extra attention to its intricate bracelet. Each link is satin brushed on top with a small, beveled edge that is polished to a mirror finish. And the same polishing is applied to every interior edge of the links, as well. The end effect is something akin to a bar of steel on each side of the center spine of the bracelet. It is that center spine that gives this part of the watch its depth and beauty. On this watch, the effect is magnified as the center spine is made out of 18k ethically sourced rose gold. Two-tone is not always easy for a watch to pull off, but Chopard does it with ease thanks to this special bracelet design.
The rose gold continues onto the bezel, framing the grey dial with its matching rose gold hands and indices. On an Alpine Eagle, these gold indices will seem to float over the dial with its radial pattern and deeply cut grooves. It is meant to give the effect of staring into an eagle’s eye, a mesmerizing sight indeed.
Alpine Eagle 36mm In Ethical Rose Gold
Alpine Eagle 36mm In Ethical Rose Gold
The Alpine Eagle is a fantastic-looking watch in steel, but with all those contrasting finishes and little architectural details, it shines brighter and looks best in atomic number 79 – gold. The added weight from the precious metal will reassure you that the watch on your wrist is something special and will bring a smile to your face when you take a peek at your arm while wearing this elegant rose gold Alpine Eagle.
Looking back at you from the dial is the eagle iris-inspired dial. Surrounded by rose gold, the grey dial stands out as a serene whirlpool from which the numerals and hands magically float above. The detail work of the dial is deep enough to still stand out when engulfed in gold, not something that can be said about most of Chopard’s fellow watchmakers when they try and translate their sports watch into precious metal.
Find our entire Chopard collection in the Hodinkee Shop.
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