This year, Chopard’s WWG26 crop comprise of updates to the Alpine Eagle and L.U.C collection as well as the Happy Sport Happy Hearts and L’Heure du diamant for the ladies.
Here is our commentary in italics and the release for our top two.
WWG26: highlights from the new offerings from Chopard
Commentary
Alpine Eagle 41 XPS
We have always been strongly drawn towards Chopard’s entry into the crowded steel sports watch, integrated bracelet sector, and for good reason. Historically connected to the St Moritz, sporting a unique dial pattern and made from Lucent Steel, the Alpine Eagle suggests that its wearer is taking a different, more considered, path.
When we first considered the 41 XPS, we liked its thinner profile and cleaner, date-free dial, and it is good to see a new variant. The new dial colour, “Mountain Glow”, brings a light, soft golden hue to the watch. Gold almost always adds a degree of elegance, and we think the new colour makes this new release more versatile in the evenings at slightly dressier events. Chopard describes the colour as a ‘subtle champagne shade’. Given our recent explorations into champagne (see our Horological lifestyle series), we would certainly consider wearing this watch while opening a bottle of Andre Clouet.
The usual textured dial pattern looks less stark in this colour, and takes on a texture reminiscent of paint brush strokes. As we mentioned in our last commentary on the 41 XPS, we would still prefer a version without any subdials or date. A large, clean dial, please! If Parmigiani can do it with the Tonda PF, Chopard, you can do it, too!
The other change is an improved bracelet. The first few links have been given a more pronounced taper, with narrower links near the clasp. We think this looks better, and makes the bracelet look less blocky. Critically important to us is the inclusion of a 5mm comfort adjustment system. Why this is not a feature on all bracelet watches is beyond us, and we are grateful that Chopard has made the Alpine Eagle more wearable in warm climates like ours in Singapore.
If you ask us, we prefer this to the salmon dial. A good, solid release for this year and good value for the price. Add in Chopard’s recycling and ethical metal credentials, and this year’s release should be shortlisted on any collector’s steel sports watch list.
L.U.C. 1860
After 3 years, Chopard has released a new dial colour for the L.U.C. 1860, and, for us, it works even better than the previous salmon dial.
The watch retains its 36.5mm case size, and is elegant and classic, but the ‘Areuse Blue’ dial with Lucent Steel case gives it a contemporary, more casual look. This watch would look appropriate whether it is worn with jeans and t-shirt or a suit. We like flexibility – it allows us to get more out of our watches.
All the trimmings of the original remain: the white gold dial is hand-guilloche, using a vintage lathe, the movement is chronometer certified, and the finishing of the movement is haute horology level.
We also provided our views on the Alpine Eagle 41 XPS above, and, unlike that watch, we like the seconds subdial on the L.U.C. 1860. It adds to the more modern, contemporary look. A bit less classical elegance, a bit more daily street wear.
It is still not an inexpensive proposition, especially for a steel watch, but you are getting a lot of enjoyment and detail at its price level. There is not much out there these days at this price, and even fewer at more traditional case sizes.
Today, perhaps the closest competitor sizewise to the L.U.C. 1860 is the newly announced Universal Geneve Polerouter, which has a 37mm model at CHF 14,000 for stainless steel. The Polerouter is a very different watch, and the competing model at 37mm only comes in a black dial, but it is good looking, with a decent (but not terribly pretty) movement, but definitely not as dressy as the L.U.C. 1860.
Overall, a nice release from Chopard, and one that we can see ourselves wearing frequently.
Release details
Alpine Eagle 41 XPS
A perfect balance of sportiness and elegance, chronometric precision and exceptional finishing
Building on the success of the first Alpine Eagle 41 XPS timepiece that featured a ‘Monte Rosa Pink’ dial, Chopard presents a new model that marks the culmination of an iconic design: an ultrathin watch combining high precision with exceptional finishing. It is crafted in Lucent Steel™ with a 41 mm diameter and a thinness of 8 mm, giving it a sleek and contemporary profile, and comes with a redesigned bracelet.
The dial features a new colour, named “Mountain Glow”: a subtle champagne shade evoking the warm radiance of the Alps as their peaks catch the sun’s final rays at sunset. Its textured pattern, reminiscent of an eagle’s iris, adds depth and character. The hands, numerals, and hour markers are made of ethical white gold and coated with Grade X1 SuperLumiNova®, ensuring excellent readability at any time of day.
The timepiece houses the L.U.C Calibre 96.40-L, a direct evolution of the very first movement conceived and produced by Chopard Manufacture in Fleurier in 1996. At just 3.30 mm thin, this selfwinding movement includes a 22carat gold microrotor that efficiently winds two stacked barrels, thanks to Chopard Twin technology, providing a 65-hour power reserve. The calibre is Chronometercertified (COSC) for precision and includes a stopseconds function and a swan’s neck regulator for fine adjustment.
Each component is meticulously finished by hand, with polished, bevelled and decorated surfaces in line with Poinçon de Genève standards. This prestigious hallmark guarantees exceptional craftsmanship for both the movement and the case. What’s more, achieving this in steel is particularly rare due to the demanding finishing requirements. Lucent Steel™ enhances the visual impact of these fine finishes. The Poinçon de Genève emblem appearing on the caseback and the movement bridge features the Geneva coat of arms with a golden key and an eagle, subtly echoing the Alpine Eagle theme.
The Lucent Steel™ bracelet has been redesigned to improve comfort and elegance. The first five links display a more pronounced taper, while the narrower links near the clasp further highlight the watch’s overall thinness. This evolution includes a new comfort adjustment system integrated into the triple folding clasp. With a simple pull and push, the bracelet can extend by up to 5 mm, allowing for instant adaptation to temperature changes, wrist movement, or activity. This enhancement reflects Chopard’s ongoing commitment to combining technical excellence with everyday comfort.
“The Alpine Eagle collection embodies not only sustainable values and technical prowess, but also represents a beautiful story of three generations, of perseverance and boldness”,said Chopard Co-President Karl-Friedrich Scheufele.
L.U.C 1860 Chronometer
An important tribute to 30 years of “Chopard Manufacture” Fleurier
Chopard introduces a continuation model of the original, iconic L.U.C 1860 to honour the 30th anniversary of Chopard Manufacture in Fleurier. This new edition preserves the spirit of the original model while integrating the technical progress achieved over the past three decades.
Like its predecessor, this new timepiece features a 36.5 mm case, ideal proportions that will delight fine watch collectors. It is crafted in Lucent Steel™ and stands out with its “Areuse Blue” dial – a colour inspired by the Areuse River that flows near the Manufacture in the Val-de-Travers region. This river, known for its dramatic gorges and everchanging shades of deep blue, symbolises continuity and connection to nature. Its vivid colours, shaped by light, stone and movement, recall the cool, bright tone used on the dial.
The 18-carat white gold dial is handguilloché with a sunburst pattern, using a vintage guilloché lathe operated by in-house artisans. Additional guilloché rings structure the dial, catching the light and adding depth. A satinbrushed chapter ring, polished white gold chevronshaped hour markers, and Dauphine hands contribute to its overall clarity and harmony. The small seconds subdial at 6 o’clock completes the symmetrical design, which intentionally avoids a date display to preserve purity. The watch is paired with a grey grained calfskin strap.
This timepiece houses the L.U.C Calibre 96.40-L, a direct evolution of the first movement conceived and produced by Chopard Manufacture in Fleurier in 1996. At just 3.30 mm thin, this selfwinding movement incorporates a 22carat gold microrotor that efficiently winds two stacked barrels, thanks to Chopard Twin technology, providing a 65-hour power reserve. The calibre is Chronometercertified (COSC) for precision and includes a stopseconds function and a swan’s neck regulator for fine adjustment.
Each component is meticulously finished by hand, with polished, bevelled and decorated surfaces in line with Poinçon de Genèvestandards. This prestigious hallmark guarantees exceptional craftsmanship for both the movement and the case. What’s more, achieving this in steel is particularly rare due to the demanding finishing requirements. Lucent Steel™ enhances the visual impact of these fine finishes.
“The L.U.C 1860 is the most emblematic watch in the L.U.C collection. It marks the beginning of our journey into the heart of fine watchmaking — a path that has sometimes been challenging yet full of discoveries. This timepiece has become a classic, just as I had imagined it 30 years ago” says Chopard Co-President Karl-Friedrich Scheufele.
