EAGLE EYE
When it comes to a sporty watch, the market is quite crowded, to say the least, and to launch one that cuts through the clutter is no mean feat. Chopard takes a deep dive into the world on metal bracelets with their latest Alpine Eagle.
Chopard revives the iconic Alpine Eagle
In 1980, Chopard launched the St Moritz—a metal bracelet timepiece with a unisex appeal. It was designed and envisioned by Karl-Friedrich Scheufele at 22. The idea was to encapsulate all things dear to the family, especially the Swiss Alps. It ran its course and did exceptionally well but somehow died over time. Just as we heard the end of this nearly lost fable, we heard the sound of an eagle flying in and before anything else was said, Karl-Friedrich Scheufele let out his arm covered in a rustic leather glove, and that’s exactly where the eagle landed. It was beautiful, poetic and so majestic. He said, “This is a clue, you will soon know why” with a warm reassuring smile. A spitting image of St Moritz, 39 years later, the watch witnesses a whole new rendition with a modern twist, presenting the Alpine Eagle. Inspired by the same beloved Swiss Alps and its key resident, the alpine eagle, the dial face features a rock like twist that resembles the iris of the eagle. It is punctuated by eight screws on the bezel, grouped in pairs at the four cardinal points. Their slots guarantee water resistance of the watch to 100 metres. The 41mm welcomes the 01.01-C calibre with a 60-hour power reserve, while the 36 mm models host the 09.01-C calibre with a 42-hour power reserve. Both have been chronometer-certified by the Swiss Official Chronometer Control. The launch of the collection also brings together the family’s love for sustainability with the new Eagle Wings Foundation. This innovative and multidisciplinary environmental project—designed to raise awareness and galvanise the public with respect to the importance, beauty and fragility of Alpine biotopes—will offer a new vision of the Alps through the eyes of human beings, satellites as well as the eagle— the latter being especially renowned for its piercing gaze.