Chopard Rolls Out the Red Carpet for New Models at Watches & Wonders 2023
Watches and Wonders

Chopard Rolls Out the Red Carpet for New Models at Watches & Wonders 2023

Beyond the star power of actress Julia Roberts appearing alongside Caroline and Karl-Friedrich Scheufele on the opening day of the show, Chopard unveiled outstanding additions to its Alpine Eagle, Mille Miglia, and Happy Sport collections.

By Isabelle Guignet
Contributor

For almost a decade, the Scheufele siblings have been pushing Chopard to be as transparent as possible about the origins of its creations – be they watches or jewelry – and to guarantee both green and ethical sourcing of all raw materials. In fact, this push by the siblings has been so much at the forefront of the brand’s messaging that terms like “Ethical Gold” and “sustainability” have become integral parts of the brand’s DNA.

Indeed, by the end of the year, Chopard plans to use exclusively Lucent Steel (introduced in 2019) for all its steel cases and bracelets. And the first big obstacle to that transition was cleared at Watches & Wonders 2023 when the brand announced new models in its wildly successful Alpine Eagle and Happy Sport collections made from this material comprised of 70% recycled steel.

Winged Spirit

Housed in a 41mm Lucent Steel case, the new Alpine Eagle 41 XPS bears a pinkish “Mont Rose” dial inspired by the natural color palette that make alpine landscapes so beautiful. Add to that the Alpine Eagle collection’s signature dial texture (made to resemble an eagle’s iris), and the new XPS is sure to turn some heads.
 

Powered by the L.U.C 96.40-L chronometer- and Poinçon de Genève-certified calibre, the movement inside the new Alpine Eagle 41 XPS is only 3.3mm thin and boasts a 65-hour power reserve. And besides having the usual hour and minute indications, this piece has an elegant small second located at 6 o’clock. Meanwhile, its white gold hands and hour markers are coated with Grade X1 Super-LumiNova, which is 60% more luminous than traditional LumiNova.
 

Certified Poinçon de Genève (which guarantees the quality and smooth functioning of a watch assembled in the Geneva Canton), this new model, including the bracelet, is made and assembled in-house. Available now, the new Alpine Eagle 41 XPS costs $22,500.
 

The Timed Automobile

For 2023, the Mille Miglia Classic Chronograph has been revisited and adorned with a 40.5mm Lucent Steel case. Moreover, this scaled-down version (the last model measured in at 42mm) will also feature different dial colors (all of which are reminiscent of vintage car bodywork) and a “glass box” sapphire crystal that further enhances the retro look.
 

For car lovers, the Mille Miglia collection is all about choice. And the latest model is sure to get the wearer’s heart racing. First, its watch engine – a self-winding chronograph movement – is COSC-certified. Plus, with a 54-hour power reserve, you can drive at least 1,000 miles before having to make a pit stop to recharge your watch.
 

This chic chronograph features a stop-second function via non-slip knurled pushers, a tachymeter scale, and the iconic 12-hour, 30-minute, and small seconds sub-dials. In this sporty case, the dial is available in various colors: a light “Verde Chiaro” green ($9,030), a cherry “Rosso Amarena” red ($9,030), a racing “Nero Corsa” black ($8,830), and finally a “Grigio-Blue” grayish blue version in an 18K rose gold case that is not yet available.
 

These atypical shades evoke the paint and interior trim of classic automobiles that take part in the 1000 Miglia Race, while the satin finish and guilloche work recall the onboard instruments of the old but refined cars.
 

Dancing Diamonds

For 2023, Chopard has reinvented one of its much-loved collections – the Happy Sport – reducing its case to 25mm diameter. This new size of the iconic model comes in seven variations that alternate materials, colors, and straps.

The case materials for the new Happy Sport 25mm include Lucent Steel and ethical rose gold. As for the colors adorning the satin-brushed dials with a sunburst finish, the choices are most interesting: silver, blue, pink, or green. And let’s not forget the model’s signature, the five mobile diamonds that dance across the dial as the wearer moves their wrist.
 

For this little novelty, a midnight blue bracelet is offered for the silver- and blue-dialed versions. Meanwhile, violet and green straps accompany the pink and green versions, respectively. And whether the straps are single loop on the diamond-set versions or double-turn on the non-gem set models, these calfskin leather straps are a wonderful complement to their individual dial colors.

Regarding pricing for the new Happy Sport 25mm, the least expensive version – featuring a Lucent Steel case, silver-colored dial, and double-turn blue strap – costs $4,450. Meanwhile, the blue, pink, and green versions with their Lucent Steel cases and color-matched double-turn straps cost $4,660 each.
 

Next, the model featuring a Lucent Steel case, silver-colored dial, double-turn blue strap, and an ethically sourced 18K rose gold bezel (ref. 278620-6001) costs $5,590.

Finally, the diamond-set models come in two varieties. First, the ref. 278620-3002 comes in a Lucent Steel case with a silver-colored dial, blue single-turn alligator strap, and Lucent Steel bezel set with diamonds. This version costs $8,900.
 

And last but not least, ref. 278620-6002 also has a Lucent Steel case, silver-colored dial, and blue single-turn alligator strap, but this version’s diamonds are set in an ethically sourced 18K rose gold bezel. This model is priced at $10,100.

For more information about the brand’s releases at Watches & Wonders 2023, visit the Chopard website.

(Photography by Liam O'Donnell)

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