FOR HIS FIRST TASK ON THE JOB,

a young Karl-friedrich Scheufele designed and developed a new watch collection inspired by his passion for sports. A motor-racing enthusiast and an avid skier, Karl-friedrich has just joined the family business. To prove his mettle, he proposed to his father Karl to produce a sports model in steel. As a luxury maison specialising in precious metals, it took some convincing on the part of Karl-friedrich to push this project through. His father nally gave in, and St Moritz, Chopard’s rst sports collection, was launched in 1980. History repeats itself almost 50 years later when Karl-friedrich’s son, KarlFritz, suggested taking another look at St Moritz and refreshing it for a new generation. Now co-president of Chopard, Karl-friedrich was reluctant at rst but was moved by Karl-fritz’s conviction.

The result is Alpine Eagle, which is developed, manufactured and assembled entirely in-house. It is a contemporary sports watch in steel, inspired by the Alps and the majestic bird that reigns supreme in this magnicent landscape. Available in 36mm and 41mm case sizes, the collection adheres to the codes of ne watchmaking that Chopard, who established its own Swiss quality control in the form of Qualite Fleurier, is known for. For one, the steel is not just any old metal but one that has been rened and strengthened through four years of research and development. An entirely new alloy, Lucent Steel A223 is the result of a re-smelting process and boasts three unique characteristics: it is hypoallergenic, 50 per cent more resistant than conventional steel, and glows with a brilliance comparable to gold (hence the ‘lucent’ in the name) thanks to its low composition of impurities. True to Chopard’s commitment to sustainable manufacturing, Lucent Steel is made up of 70 per cent recycled steel with the remaining 30 per cent from a veriable ethical source. The outer parts of the watch are constructed entirely of this steel, from case and bezel to the integrated bracelet that features ingot-style links. Eight screws hold the distinctive round bezel in place, guaranteeing waterresistance up to 100m. The crown, anked by protective protrusions, is decorated with a rose compass on the top. The dial is equally striking. In either galvanic blue or grey, it draws you in with its sunburst motif that recalls an eagle’s iris. Look closely at the end tip of the seconds hand and you will notice how it is inspired by the eagle’s feather. Hands and hour markers are coated with SuperLuminova Grade X1, which is 60 per cent brighter than the standard Super-luminova.

Beating within is an automatic movement with a precision that meets the stringent standards of the Ofcial Swiss Chronometer Testing Institute (COSC). The 41mm model is powered by the 01.01-C calibre with 60 hours of power reserve while the 36mm houses a 09.01-C calibre with 42 hours of power reserve. The latter is one of the smallest movements to be certied by COSC. They say the devil is in the details. Outwardly, the Alpine Eagle doesn’t hide the fact that it is a steel watch but its sublime qualities certainly elevate it beyond this category. THE TIES THAT BIND With the Alps right at their doorsteps, it is easy for the Scheufeles to indulge in their love for skiing—and nding inspiration for their work in the process. Sharing their passion for tackling snowy slopes is the father-and-daughter duo Tunku Dato’ Yaacob Khyra and Tunku Elana Khyra who go on a ski vacation with the whole family every year.

“I love skiing because I enjoy the feeling of being right there in the moment”

“I’ve been skiing for as long as I can remember,” says Tunku Elana, who was introduced to the sport by her father. “I think my rst ski trip with Papa was at Lake Tahoe in California when I was ve. I love skiing because I enjoy the feeling of being right there in the moment.” As an experienced skier, Tunku Elana loves to challenge herself on red and black ski runs. Papa, on the other hand, prefers to ski at a more leisurely pace to enjoy the view. Nevertheless, both admit that their annual ski getaway is just an excuse to get the family together for some quality bonding. “It’s an annual family tradition,” Tunku Elana nods. “For me, it’s time spent with the kids,” says Tunku Yaacob. “It’s fun when all of us are skiing together, and I love taking pictures and videos of them on these trips.” Slipping the Alpine Eagle onto his wrist, Tunku Yaacob compliments its clean aesthetics. “I like the blue dial and also how the date window is positioned between 4 and 5 o’clock. And it’s big enough for me to read the date easily,” he notes, pointing to the smaller date window on the much heftier 48mm watch he wore to this photo shoot. Like her father, the stylish Tunku Elena is also attracted to the timepiece’s minimalist design. “It’s denitely elegant and beautifully crafted,” she enthuses.

Clock wise fr om top: The S t M or i t z wa tc h; t he S wis s A l ps; f i ne d et a i l s o f t he Al pi ne E agl e; t hr e e generations of the Scheufele f a mil y, Kar l - Fr i t z , Kar l a nd Karl - Fr i e dr i c h