Smaller and Greener: Introducing the New Chopard Alpine Eagle 33 Collection and “Pine Green” 41
The Eagle has landed! In a new case size and in two limited editions with a green dial dedicated to raising funds to preserve the biodiversity of the Alpine region, to boot.
It’s only October 1st, and Chopard has already announced two major launches.
The Maison has just introduced a new option for folks who like to wear a smaller sports watch – the new Alpine Eagle 33 timepieces.
And Chopard is also launching limited editions of the Alpine Eagle with a Pine Green colored dial crafted in either ethical 18-carat rose gold or Lucent Steel A223. A portion of the proceeds of the new models will be donated to the Alpine Eagle Foundation, which was co-founded by Chopard Co-President Karl-Friedrich Scheufele and is dedicated to preserving the Alpine region and its biodiversity.
While these gorgeous new editions may be smaller in size, they go big on the details.
Mini-Me(s)
Here’s a bit of perspective about the fluidity of case sizes. The original 1980s Gents Swatch measured in at 34mm. Size doesn’t matter, it’s how a watch best suits your lifestyle. The Alpine Eagle, Chopard’s beloved sports watch, was also born from a sports watch from the 1980s, when watch size didn’t matter. The Alpine Eagle’s signature case shape is based on the St. Moritz, which was designed by a then 22-year-old Karl-Friederich Scheufele. The name was retired when the watch was discontinued. And when it was reborn in 2019 it was rebranded as the Alpine Eagle.
Over the years, this sporty stainless steel watch has seen many evolutions. Visually, the defining features are the textured blue dial and the use of Lucent Steel A223 – a material that is produced as ethically as possible, with 70 percent of the material being recycled. These features are not only instantly recognizable, but they also allow for the Alpine Eagle to shape shift. In addition to the existing 36, 41, and 44mm sizes, the new models feature a 33mm-diameter case, that preserves the original’s harmonious proportions without sacrificing its identity.
The Alpine Eagle 33 is not just a shrunk-down copy. A lot of thought went into finishes that would preserve the angular geometry of the case, the Roman-numeral design, and the sunburst finish on the dial (which recalls the eye of an eagle). The color of the textured dials, for example, is inspired by nature. The new Alpine Eagle follows the same design codes laid down by existing collection models.
The tapered three-row integrated bracelet is a big part of the Alpine legacy. Here, the central link is ingot-shaped and topped by a raised central cap, to evoke an eagle’s mountain-top aerie. Other signatures include a screw-down crown with a compass rose engraving, crown guards, and two extrusions on the watch’s left side designed to preserve symmetry.
This new case size will be available in six references crafted from either Chopard’s exclusive Lucent Steel A223, ethical 18-carat rose gold, or bi-material options. There are diamond-set bezel options in the Lucent Steel A223 and two-tone versions, while both rose gold iterations are diamond-set: one on the bezel alone and the other also on the central bracelet links as well as the hour-markers. All are powered by the Chopard 09.01-C movement.
Piney Fresh
The Alpine Eagle collection of sporty-chic timepieces has also invited two new, limited edition models into the nest. Called the Pine Green, this duo is part of Chopard’s commitment to the preservation of Switzerland’s Alpine environment and its biodiversity. Part of the proceeds from sales of these two models will be donated to the Alpine Eagle Foundation, which was co-founded by Chopard Co-President Karl-Friedrich Scheufele and whose programs have already enabled the reintroduction of the white-tailed eagle in the Lake Geneva region.
This do-good duo is available in 41mm-diameter Lucent Steel A223 or ethical 18-carat rose gold. Both models are adorned with a textured dial in an original "Pine Green" color. The effect provides the dial with a lot of depth, but it is also very readable, thanks to the contrast between rhodium-plated or gold-plated hour-markers and hands enhanced with Grade X1 Super-LumiNova. The date is also legible but unobtrusive thanks to its positioning between 4 and 5 o’clock and the fact that the wheel has a green background that matches the dial color.
In keeping with the manufacture's commitment to certified precision, the “Pine Green” is powered by the Chopard 01.01-C self-winding movement. This movement features a stop-second function that allows the user to set the time to the nearest second. When fully wound, the mechanism enjoys a 60-hour power reserve. And the glory of this chronometer-certified mechanism is visible through a transparent sapphire case back.
Family Matters
For Chopard’s Karl-Friedrich Scheufele the real beauty of this piece comes from the fact that it also gives back: "Given that I personally find refuge in the pleasures of hiking and skiing, I appreciate the calm of the mountains, which are conducive to inspiration, reflection and serenity. Preserving this environment is very important to us, and I am extremely proud that the beauty of our Alpine Eagle timepieces pays tribute to the Nature that inspired them and enables the funding of concrete actions to support the conservation of this fragile ecosystem.”
The Chopard Alpine Eagle 33 collection, priced from $9,810 to $45,500 depending on the execution, and the “Pine Green” 41, again, priced depending on the materials ranging from $14,800 to $51,000, are available now with the products’ introduction. You can learn more at the Chopard website.
(Photography by Liam O'Donnell)