[VIDEO] Chopard Grants Alpine Eagle L.U.C Movement In New 41XPS

Chopard expanded their Alpine Eagle collection in big ways this year, with the introduction of the new high-beat Cadence that gets a full titanium case and bracelet, and they’ve finally given the watch one of their lovely L.U.C calibers. This is the new Alpine Eagle 41XPS featuring the 96.40-L micro-rotor movement. It’s extra thin and extra beautiful as a result, mated to a salmon dial with no date, and a subsidiary seconds at 6 o’clock. This isn’t the only new watch to receive this movement, as it can also be found in the stunning L.U.C 1860, which feels a more natural habitat for such a movement, leaving the jump to the Alpine Eagle collection all the more welcome. 

The Alpine Eagle 41XPS is, as you might have guessed, built in the 41mm case using Chopard’s Lucent Steel A223, an alloy that incorporates a high amount of recycled steel, and is smelted multiple times for increased hardness and brightness. It’s quite lovely in person, though I don’t know I’d be able to place it as something different without that knowledge beforehand. It’s worth noting the Chopard is working to transition more of their steel watches to Lucent steel in the coming years.

The 41XPS uses the L.U.C 96.40-L caliber, which itself is a shade over 3mm in thickness allowing for an exceptionally thin case. It’s COSC certified and quite a looker through the exhibition caseback. Its placement within the Alpine Eagle collection pushes this steel watch into a different price realm, at $22,500 it falls squarely into the space of watches like the Tonda PF micro-rotor from Parmigiani Fleurier, and the Vacheron Constantin Overseas. High aspirations for a watch that has gotten used to its ~$10-15k base range.

The Alpine Eagle enjoys a unique personality, which is a must in an increasingly crowded space. The twisted grain, or literal eagle eye texture found on the dial works well in this particular colorway, and accepts the sub dial with ease. In total this is a striking watch aesthetically, and wears equally fabulously on the wrist. I view this as a big step forward for the collection as a whole, though they need to create a clear delineation between the entry level Alpine Eagle references, and ones costing twice as much, especially in the same material. The movement is worth it, and the rest of the watch should feel just as special.

Thankfully, the 41XPS does. It’s a unique watch from a brand and haute horology manufacturing arm that’s got some serious chops. For real, this 3mm thick movement has two coaxial barrels providing over 60 hours of reserve. Like a few others attempting to make the same moves, brand cache is a process, and is preserved with skill, and Chopard seems to be setting the pieces up for the long term.

The Alpine Eagle 41XPS is available from retailers and boutiques now for the price of $22,500. More from Chopard.