Chopard has unveiled a stunning iteration of its three-year-old Alpine Eagle Flying Tourbillon, featuring a captivating new dial color that breathes fresh life into an already successful design.
Since its introduction in 2022, the Alpine Eagle collection has emerged as Chopard’s standout performer, securing significant market share in the competitive integrated-bracelet segment.
Following the industry pattern of expanding successful models with various complications, the Alpine Eagle line now spans multiple sizes, complications, and gem-set variants.
New Model Distinctions
This latest Alpine Eagle Flying Tourbillon maintains the technical specifications of its predecessor while introducing a luminous blue dial.
The dimensions remain unchanged at 41mm in diameter and a svelte 8mm in thickness, creating a comfortable yet decidedly angular presence on the wrist. What truly distinguishes this timepiece, however, is Chopard’s exceptional finishing, which transforms even minimal light into a dazzling display.
Central to this brilliance is Chopard’s proprietary Lucent Steel—an innovative alloy containing 80% recycled material. Unlike the industry-standard 316L or 904L stainless steel, Lucent Steel presents a startlingly bright white appearance that redefines expectations. This material creates an immediate impression, demonstrating that steel can indeed achieve new heights of brilliance and presence.
The watch maintains its 100m water resistance and features the integrated bracelet that has become essential for this category. Chopard’s bracelet execution continues the case’s exemplary finishing and concludes with a secure push-button folding clasp. While substantial in feel, it maintains comfort during extended wear.
The sole notable change is the dial’s color evolution from deep blue to a lighter “Rhone blue,” inspired by the glacial source of the Rhone River in the Alps.
This brighter hue creates a different character while maintaining the excellent legibility and decent luminosity of the original. Some may prefer the deeper blue of the first iteration, but this glacial shade offers a distinctive alternative.
However, the flying tourbillon’s finishing pales in comparison to the spectacular execution found on the case and dial. The tourbillon carriage and supporting components seem somewhat understated compared to the watch’s overall refinement.
Watch Technical Specifications
Powering this timepiece is Chopard’s in-house automatic L.U.C. 96-24L movement, featuring a gold microrotor that maintains the watch’s slim profile.
Technical specifications include a 65-hour power reserve, 25,200 vph operating frequency, and COSC chronometer certification. While the tourbillon itself may be relatively subdued in finish, the movement as a whole achieves the prestigious Poinçon de Genève quality seal, reflecting its exceptional execution.
Though a dial color change represents a conservative approach to product evolution, this Alpine Eagle Flying Tourbillon remains a beautiful and functional timepiece. The Chopard Alpine Eagle Flying Tourbillon (Ref. 298616-3003) is priced at $126,500 USD.
