Chopard’s Alpine Eagle XL Chrono gets a new shade of blue on top of a new titanium case!
The Alpine Eagle XL Chrono is Chopard’s sportiest watch. It has quickly become an icon in the Alpine Eagle collection, which combines beautiful aesthetics with complicated mechanical prowess. The first models of the Alpine Eagle XL Chrono were first introduced in 2020. Chopard presented these timepieces in three variations. Two Lucent Steel A223 models with either blue or black dials, alongside a two-tone ethical rose gold and Lucent Steel A223 variation.
All three models retained the signature Alpine Eagle dial design, including the unique pattern inspired by an eagle’s Iris. This pattern on the chronograph models still stood out beautifully without making the dial look busy or clustered. Previously, Chopard presented the Alpine Eagle XL Chrono in only a handful of coloured dials. The brand favours the colour blue, especially for this chronograph piece. They have already released the Chrono in different shades of blue, with one of my favourites being the Martime Blue with Turquoise dial (click here to read the Chopard Alpine Eagle Xl Chrono Martime Blue article!)
For this year’s update to the Alpine Eagle Xl Chrono model, Chopard has once again gone down the “blue dial” route by giving the timepiece a beautiful “Rhône Blue” dial. Like the Turquoise dial, this will be another unique addition to the Alpine Eagle collection. The “Rhône Blue” has been inspired by the blue colours of the Rhône river that runs through Switzerland and France.
What I do like about the aesthetic design of this new XL Chrono is the colour variations. The black sub-counters and the black tachymeter scale that runs on the flange of the dial help to break up the “Rhône Blue” colour, which in turn helps this dial colour actually stand out a bit more.
The hour indices and hands are coated in white Superlumi-Nova, which makes dial readability crystal clear. A hint of red is used for the tips of the sub-counter hands, and chronograph hand, as well as the tachymeter scale (240, 160 and 100).Regardless of how subtle they may be, this is arguably Chopards most colourful Alpine Eagle XL Chrono yet, especially one with blacked sub-counters against a blue dial.
To go alongside this brand-new look, the brand has also given the timepiece a new case material. As mentioned earlier, the Alpine Eagle Xl Chrono was only offered with Lucent Steel A223 and ethical rose gold. Now, the brand has given their most popular sports watch a lightweight and durable 44mm case by using grade 5 titanium for its construction. This new case material has a slightly darker appearance than steel. The grade 5 titanium has been mixed with aluminium and vanadium, which makes it especially resistant to corrosion and salt water, making this timepiece an ideal choice for extreme sports enthusiasts.
The timepiece comes with the same Chopard 03.05-C automatic movement as previous Alpine Eagle XL Chorno models. This movement is chronometer-certified and comes equipped with a flyback chronograph, 30-minute sub-counter, 12-hour sub-counter and constant seconds counter, along with a date window at 4.30 position. The movement operates at a high-fruency of 4Hz (28,800 VpH), whilst giving out a decent power-reserve of 60 hours. The watch comes with an open case back, which gives a view of the Chopard 03.05-C movement, with the sapphire crystal also adorned with the Alpine Eagle collection’s signature image of a “soaring eagle”.
Final Thoughts
Chopard’s famous Alpine Eagle XL Chrono seems to be soaring higher and higher with every new iteration that comes out. Offered in a lighter and more durable case, it is the ideal setting for a sports watch. Compared to previous blue dial variants, bar the Maritime blue variant, the eagle’s Iris pattern is very easily noticeable on this dial. This is then mixed with black counters that make the dial “pop” while also being colourful. Chopard is making a strong statement with this latest release, combining the elements of beautiful aesthetics with mechanically reliable and accurate movement. And an added bonus with this watch, compared to other sports models, is that part of the proceeds from sales will be donated to the Alpine Eagle Foundation!
Reference: 298609-3008
Specification
- Size: 44mm, 13.15mm thickness
- Case: Grade 5 titanium mixed with aluminium and vanadium.
- Dial: “Rhône Blue” color obtained by PVD treatment; design inspired by the iris of the eagle; rhodium-plated Roman numerals and hour-markers coated with Super-LumiNova.
- Crystal: Scratch-resistant sapphire crystal with anti-reflective treatment on both sides
- Water resistance: 100m (10 BAR)
- Movement: CHOPARD 03.05-C
- Movement Frequency: 4Hz (28,800 VpH)
- Power reserve: 60 hours
- Strap: Matt black rubber strap with titanium pin buckle.
