Introducing: The Chopard Alpine Eagle 41 XP CS Platinum (Live Pics)
What We Know
For the first time in the Alpine Eagle collection, Chopard is introducing platinum to the mix. Undoubtedly influenced by the success of 2023’s extra-thin salmon dial Alpine Eagle XPS with a LUC movement, the LUC movement returned. In this case, it is rendered in very bright 950/1000 platinum and a fitting cool “Shades of Ice” fumé blue dial.
The brass-stamped dial continues to sport the signature eagle’s iris pattern on the dial, radiating from the center post. Applied brass hour markers are infilled with X1 Super-LumiNova, and baton-esque hands are crafted from the brand’s ethical white gold.
The hour markers are the same as the ones we saw on the titanium 8HF, with only the twelve o’clock marker remaining in Roman numerals. In contrast, the other markers are simple batons. This platinum iteration also does away with the date window just like the XPS, but this time features a center seconds instead of the small-seconds subdial of that salmon-dialed cousin.
The case measures a diameter of 41mm and a thickness of 8mm, with an exhibition caseback revealing the Calibre 96.42-L LUC movement inside while still providing a sport-watch-friendly water resistance of 100 meters. A micro-rotor in 950 platinum hogs the spotlight, working to give the Alpine Eagle the full 65 hours of power reserve stored in the twin stacked barrels to its side. This movement is a big step up from the standard Chopard calibers found in other Alpine Eagles, with this LUC movement featuring significantly more decoration. Bridges are decorated in Côtes de Genéve, with plenty of anglage. Also on full display is the swan’s-neck index assembly above the balance wheel. The caliber is COSC-certified, and this watch is now the third Alpine Eagle to receive the Poinçoin de Genève.
The platinum case also features a fully integrated platinum bracelet, and the brand says that this is the first model to feature a redesigned bracelet with an increased amount of tapering on the bracelet. While one may conspire that this is to reduce the amount of platinum required for the watch, it may also be that the bracelet will feel slightly more elegant than in models past. Curiously, the clasp features release triggers in platinum but blades in white gold.
The Chopard Alpine Eagle 41 XP CS Platinum is available exclusively from Chopard boutiques and will retail for $110,500.
What We Think
I’m a big fan of the Alpine Eagle. Two years ago, I added the titanium 8HF to the collection, and James Stacey will also agree with me that it’s the best one in the collection. But this new Alpine Eagle XP CS in platinum is something else entirely, one that speaks to a completely different market for the Alpine Eagle.
It’s actually surprising to me that we have not, in fact, seen a platinum Alpine Eagle since the collection’s launch back in 2019. It seems like a natural fit for the brand, though “Lucent Steel” and “Ethical Gold” are certainly more story-driven materials for the brand. But with its clientele, many of whom come from the jewelry side of the business, surely the blinding luster of platinum will appeal to many. The pricing, just a hair over $110,000, is a huge chunk of change for a time-only sports watch since that price bracket gets you quite a few complication-laden alternatives from others. But this price isn’t unheard of for similar watches in platinum, and these no doubt will not be produced in large quantities.
I’m very interested to see this in person, if not just to understand the sheer heft of the watch, and also the redesigned bracelet. If the increased taper will present more elegantly, I do hope to see it applied across the entire lineup in the future.
Stay tuned for more over the coming days from Watches and Wonders – you can follow all of the show’s new releases right here.
The Basics
Brand: Chopard
Model: Alpine Eagle 41 XP CS
Reference Number: 295396-9001
Diameter: 41mm
Thickness: 8mm
Case Material: 950 platinum
Dial Color: Shades of Ice fumé blue
Indexes: Applied
Lume: Yes
Water Resistance: 100m
Strap/Bracelet: Redesigned bracelet in platinum
The Movement
Caliber: LUC 96.42-L
Functions: Hours, minutes, seconds
Diameter: 27.4mm
Thickness: 3.3mm
Power Reserve: 65 hours
Winding: Automatic
Frequency: 28,800 VpH
Jewels: 29
Chronometer Certified: Yes, COSC-certified
Pricing & Availability
Price: $110,500
Availability: Chopard Boutiques
Limited Edition: No.
For more, click here.
Hodinkee
