BY DHANANJAY PATHAK
Chopard introduced the Alpine Eagle collection to much fanfare in 2019. In 2020 the Chopard released the Alpine Eagle XL Chrono, a much-anticipated follow-up to the three-hand Alpine watches. For 2022, the brand has unveiled two new variations of the Alpine Eagle XL Chrono that, for the first time, come attached to matching rubber straps.
The Alpine Eagle is a watch that, till now, has always been accompanied by a beautiful and smooth flowing integrated bracelet that gives it a cohesive look from a design standpoint. However, now the brand has introduced a new rubber strap option that, in my opinion, changes the overall look of the watch and gives it a sportier demeanor. Presented in black and blue to match the color of the dial, the rubber strap, like the bracelet, has been specifically designed for the Alpine Eagle. It features a thick strip that runs across the middle of the strap and flows seamlessly to meet the nudge at the center of the case. The strap comes with a well-finished steel pin buckle.
Apart from the strap, nothing much has changed, which is a good thing. Offered in black and blue, the face of the Alpine Eagle XL retains its handsome looks and legible design. Featuring a beautifully textured base inspired by the eagle’s Iris’s, the dial comes with a tri-compax layout. Surrounding the recessed registers are lume filled hour markings with the divisive date window neatly tucked between the marker at 4 and 5. A tachymeter scale sits on the outer periphery, and to add a pop of color to the dial, the chronograph functions have been sparkled with a hint of red.
Flipping the watch over reveals the in-house calibre 03.05-C. This is an automatic column wheel-based chronograph movement that comes with a flyback function. The movement operates at 4 Hz and offers a power reserve of around 60 hours. As far as accuracy is concerned the movement comes with a COSC certification which implies that it should keep time within a deviation range of -4 to +6 seconds a day.
The new Chopard Alpine Eagle XL Chrono 2022 watches as mentioned above are accompanied by a matching rubber strap, and the retail price has been set at CHF 18,200. Visit Chopard here.
