IN THE EAGLE KINGDOM

The majestic bird of prey with sharp powerful claws has turned its piercing gaze to the collections of the Geneva-based brand, inspiring three generations of men to create a new timepiece.

Chopards current co-president, Karl-Friedrich Scheufele, is proud to bring back a contemporary version of the St Moritz, the first piece that he created in the 1980s, today reinterpreted and renamed Alpine Eagle in homage to the majestic bird of prey which flies over the mountains.

This new watch collection comprises ten versions in a mixture of steel, gold and diamonds. But not just any steel, this is Chopards Lucent Steel A223, an alloy which has taken 4 years of research and development and whose redesign led to the production of an antiallergenic, more durable and brighter metal. And not just any gold either, this is ethical gold. Two case diameters are offered, 36?mm and 41?mm, housing two different automatic movements, both certified chronometers: the 09.01-C caliber which powers the essential time information (hours, minutes and central seconds) and offers a power reserve of 42?hours, and the 01.01-C caliber which also provides the date (at 4:30 on the dial) and a power reserve of up to 60 hours.

Crowned with a large bezel held in place by 4 pairs of 8 screws, the brass dial is stamped to look like the iris of an eagle, with its beaming veined grooves. This disk is available in royal blue or taupe gray, or Tahitian pearl for the womens versions, with a silver or gold chapter ring, composed of index markers and Roman numerals covered with Super-LumiNova. The time display is indicated by a pair of baton-shaped hands, also luminescent, and a second hand with a counterweight inspired by the silhouette of an eagles feather.

Price on request?chopard.com

By Sharmila Bertin