Introducing The Alpine Eagle Summit Collection By Chopard

November 16, 2023

Today, Chopard is presenting a lineup of gem-set Alpine Eagles at Dubai Watch Week. I've never been to Dubai but gems seem fitting for a country that produced the first ever 6-star hotel. At least that's how I picture Dubai: gold gem-set watches, giant lavish hotels with fountains in the lobby and fleets of Rolls-Royce phantoms. These new Alpine Eagle Summit timepieces are 41mm in diameter and come in ethical 18-carat yellow, white or rose gold (hurrah for options).? The focus on this new launch is twofold: colorful baguette-cut, gem-set bezels, which include sapphires, tsavorites and spessartines. As well as the debut of the "Zinal Blue" dial named after the Zinal Alpine glacier in Valais, Switzerland. Zinal blue appears iridescent in pictures, reflecting both shades of purple and blue; it's shiny and peacock-like. The gems mirror the two-tone hues in a gradient on the bezel. And the dial, as with all Alpine Eagle models, remains deeply textured. Other dial colors featured in the collection include "Golden Peak," "Vals Grey," and "Pink Dawn," all of which are created using PVD treatment. Each watch comes equipped with Caliber 01.15-C. Self-winding and visible through a transparent sapphire crystal caseback, the Chopard in-house movement is also COSC certified. When fully wound, the mechanism provides 60 hours of power reserve. The watches also all feature a stop-seconds function. Pricing is in the expected range (check the gem stones...) with the white and yellow gold examples carrying a price tag of $85,400 and the rose gold listing for $77,600.? What We Think Another day, another rainbow. Well, sort of, because these aren't technically rainbows. Points to Chopard for incorporating colors and gems in a slightly more inspiring way. Even if gems aren't your thing, you'd be hard pressed to knock the jewelry savoir faire being incorporated into their watchmaking category. Always fun to have some in-house crossover. I noticed that there was no date function on these particular models, which reinforces the idea that these are supposed to be a little more glam. I however, think that's a miss because I enjoy complications with my diamonds!? The colors are certainly opulent in tone. Zinal blue is normally the type of marketing device/name that I would scoff at but I am wholeheartedly invested in the link between the Chopard brand and its relationship to the Alps. Have you ever spoken to the Scheufele family? They ADORE the Alps. But I am left asking why 41mm? This felt like deja-vu from last year's yellow gold Alpine Eagle LE. I do appreciate a larger gem-set watch for its versatility, I would just please like a range. A 36mm perhaps. I guess I'll just have to keep pressing for answers! The Basics Brand: Chopard Model: Alpine Eagle Summit Reference Number: Ref. 295363-0002; Ref. 295363-1007; Ref. 295363-1008; Ref. 295363-5013Diameter: 41mm Thickness: 9.7 mmCase Material: Ethical 18-carat yellow, white or rose goldDial Color: "Golden Peak," "Zinal Blue," "Vals Grey," or "Pink Dawn"Indexes: Applied Lume: Yes Water Resistance: 100m Strap/Bracelet: Bracelet The Movement Caliber: Chopard 01.15-CFunctions: Hours, minutes, secondsDiameter: 28.80 mmThickness: 4.95 mmPower Reserve: 60 hoursWinding: self-winding Frequency: 28,800 vph(4 Hz)Jewels: 31Chronometer Certified: Yes? Pricing & Availability Price: $77,600 (rose gold) or $85,400 for white or yellow gold.?For more, click here. Shop this story Hodinkee is an authorized retailer of Chopard watches, click here to see what's in the Hodinkee Shop.