As Chopard launches the new Alpine Eagle sports chic timepiece collection we take a closer look at the inner workings of this masterpiece from metal to movement.
To bring its latest Alpine Eagle collection to life, Chopard created a new material that is as rich and complex as gold, transforming the dream of Renaissance alchemists into a glowing reality.
Lucent Steel A223 is a steel resulting from a re-smelting process featuring three unique characteristics and it is at the heart of the Alpine Eagle timepiece collection.
Hypoallergenic, Hard and Pure
Thanks to its hypoallergenic composition, Lucent Steel A223 has properties comparable to surgical steel, making it highly dermo compatible.
It boasts a unique hardness and a 223 Vickers’ strength of 50% making it more resistant to abrasion than conventional steels.
Finally, with its superior homogeneous crystal structure, its purity enables it to reflect light in a unique way.
Like diamond, whose brilliance depends on the lowest degree of impurities, this innovative steel has far less impurities than conventional steel, guaranteeing it brilliance and brightness comparable to that of gold.
Complex Development and Manufacturing
The industrialisation of this new alloy, which required no less than four years of research and development to produce, was a real challenge to manufacture to extremely strict specifications, significantly increasing its manufacturing time as well as wear and tear on machining tools.
Lucent Steel A223 is now a rare and extraordinarily precious metal, stemming from a very complex development and manufacturing process.
A Manufacture-Made Movement
True to Karl-Friedrich Scheufele’s deep commitment to fine watchmaking, the two movements with automatic winding embedded in the heart of Alpine Eagle watches have been developed in Chopard’s watchmaking workshops and chronometer-certified by the Swiss Official Chronometer Control – a rare event for watches in this category.
Alpine Eagle 41 mm thus welcomes the 01.01-C calibre with a 60-hour power reserve, while the 36 mm models host the 09.01-C calibre with a 42-hour power reserve – with the latter 8-ligne movement being one of the smallest to receive COSC certification.
Both are visible through a transparent sapphire crystal back.
Thanks to its vertically integrated production process, Chopard has produced and assembled all Alpine Eagle components in-house, from all the components of its movements to the making of its case and bracelet, whether in steel and/or gold.
Look out for more behind the scene stories about the Alpine Eagle on the Sawubona website.
For more information on where to get this beautiful timepiece visit Picot and Moss online or check out the Chopard Boutique at the V&A Waterfront.
