W&W 2022 Chopard Alpine Eagle Flying Tourbillon in Lucent Steel A223

With Alpine Eagle, Chopard has created a contemporary sporty-chic collection featuring a pure design and sophisticated mechanics. After a flyback chronograph movement and a high-frequency calibre, Alpine Eagle extends its range of complications with a model equipped with a flying tourbillon. At just 3.30 mm thick, the L.U.C 96.24-L movement stems from developments by Chopard Manufacture. Its advanced characteristics make the Alpine Eagle Flying Tourbillon one of the very few flying tourbillon watches to bear double Chronometer and Poinçon de Genève certification. Featuring a case measuring 41 mm in diameter and an integrated bracelet, it is made entirely in the Maison's workshops from Lucent Steel A223, an exclusive, ultra-resistant and remarkably brilliant alloy. A 6 o’clock opening on its textured Aletsch Blue dial reveals a transparent and light tourbillon mechanism that endows the entire creation with its elegantly sophisticated character.

Inspired by a historical Chopard model reinterpreted by three generations of men from the Scheufele family, the Alpine Eagle collection has been constantly enriched since its launch by new innovations. The latest is a flying tourbillon movement developed thanks to the watchmaking expertise of Chopard Manufacture, which celebrated its 25^th anniversary in 2021. The introduction of an innovative movement such as L.U.C Calibre 96.24-L within a watch from the Alpine Eagle collection now bears witness to the maturity attained by the Manufacture. The Alpine Eagle Flying Tourbillon model is the first complication watch in the Alpine Eagle collection acknowledged by the prestigious Poinçon de Genève quality hallmark.

An innovative, certified tourbillon in free flight

A flying tourbillon is characterised by the absence of an upper bridge. Since the tourbillon carriage is held only by the lower bridge, it appears to fly, creating an effect of transparency throughout the movement. L.U.C 96.24-L is based on the development of Chopard Manufacture's first calibre (L.U.C 96.01-L presented in 1997) and is similarly slim, at only 3.30 mm. 

This ultra-thin movement made it possible to optimise the size of the Alpine Eagle Flying Tourbillon watch: the case has been reduced to just 8 mm thick, and the flanks and bezel have been trimmed down compared to a classic Alpine Eagle Large model, offering a wider dial aperture. These well-balanced proportions, a signature feature of the collection, endow the timepiece with an elegant and graceful appearance entirely suited to the lightness of the complication.

The L.U.C 96.24-L movement is equipped with a stop-seconds function enabling precise time setting. This precision is certified by the Official Swiss Chronometer Testing Institute, evidenced by the "Chronometer" inscription on the dial below the logo. 

Among the flying tourbillon watches on the market, those by Chopard are the only ones to receive both Chronometer certification and the prestigious Poinçon de Genève quality hallmark. The latter guarantees the fine craftsmanship and smooth operation of the timepieces assembled within the Canton. Stamped on the case-back of the watch, it depicts the city of Geneva’s coat-of-arms composed of a golden key and above all of an eagle: a symbol reminiscent of the original inspiration behind the Alpine Eagle collection.

Thanks to its two stacked barrels based on Chopard Twin technology, the movement guarantees a 65-hour power reserve, and its automatic winding is driven by a 22-carat gold micro-rotor whose density contributes to the slenderness of the movement. Finely crafted by the artisans of the Maison, each of its components is adorned with a Côtes de Genève motif recalling the attention to detail cultivated by Chopard Manufacture. 

Chopard’s entire production process is vertically integrated, thus enabling it to make and assemble all the components of its Alpine Eagle collection in-house, from movement through to case and bracelet.

Technical specifications

Chopard Alpine Eagle Flying Tourbillon in Lucent Steel A223

Reference: 298616-3001

Case

• Material: Lucent Steel A223
• Diameter: 41.00 mm
• Thickness: 8 mm
• Lucent Steel A223 crown with compass rose 6.65 mm
• Vertical satin-brushed case middle with polished bevels
• Lucent Steel A223 bezel with eight screws set at a tangent
• Glass: Glare-proofed sapphire crystal
• Exhibition case-back with glare-proofed sapphire crystal
• Water resistance 100 metres

Dial and hands

• Dial featuring an Aletsch Blue colour obtained by galvanic treatment, crafted in gold stamped with a radiating pattern centred on the tourbillon
• Applied white gold hour-markers and numerals enhanced with Grade X1 Super-LumiNova^®
• White gold baton-type hours and minutes hands enhanced with Grade X1 Super-LumiNova^® 
• White gold triangle-tipped small seconds hand enhanced with Grade X1 Super-LumiNova^®, attached to the flying tourbillon cage
• White transfers

Movement

• Calibre L.U.C 96.24-L
• Mechanical with automatic winding via an engraved 22-carat gold micro-rotor
• Number of parts: 189
• Diameter: 27.40 mm
• Thickness: 3.30 mm
• Number of jewels: 25 
• Frequency: 25,200 vph (3.5 Hz)
• Power reserve 65 hours
• Two stacked barrels – Chopard Twin technology
• Flying tourbillon rotating at a rate of once minute
• Bridges adorned with Côtes de Genève motif
• Variable-inertia balance
• Chronometer-certified (COSC)
• Poinçon de Genève quality hallmark

Functions/Indications

• Central display of the hours and minutes
• Small seconds at 6 o'clock on the flying tourbillon carriage
• Stop-seconds function

Strap and buckle

• Lucent Steel A223 tapering bracelet with satin-brushed wide link and sides, polished central cap
• Lucent Steel A223 triple folding clasp

MSRP: CHF 112'000

For more information, please visit chopard.com