Chopard Alpine Eagle Salmon XPS ref. 298623-3001 Full Set

Reviving their integrated bracelet sports watch, the St. Moritz, in 2019 and rebranding it as the Alpine Eagle, Chopard appeared to only be chasing the integrated-sports-watch trend that Genta's designs had reignited across the industry in the late 2010s. However, looking back they were ahead of the trend. Sure, integrated bracelet sports watches were booming, but it wasn’t until later that brands like Rolex, IWC, JLC, and even Patek, Vacheron and many others would launch entirely new integrated bracelet sports watches, and so six years on, that scepticism has evaporated. The Alpine Eagle has become one of the more credible entries in that crowded field, not least because Chopard actually owns a manufacture capable of building the movement inside it, but because they clearly created a watch that wasn’t just a quick and easy cash grab. Instead, it was a carefully considered and deeply impressive piece of horology, much like the Alpine Eagle XPS ref. 298623-3001 that we have here, which launched in 2023, four years after the Alpine Eagle debuted.

From the Alpine Eagle’s ultra-thin flagship collection, the XPS, this reference wears one of the collection's most sought-after dial options: a "Monte Rosa pink" salmon dial with a radial pattern lifted directly from the iris of an eagle, applied Roman numerals, and a small seconds sub-dial at six, which separates it from the centre seconds “standard” variant. Powered by the micro-rotor automatic cal. L.U.C 96.40-L movement, a COSC-certified in-house calibre with a 65-hour power reserve, visible through the exhibition caseback, the Alpine Eagle XPS ref. 298623-3001 stands only 8mm thick, meaning its 41mm profile wears with a lightness and discretion that matches its stunning good looks. Cut from Chopard's Lucent Steel A223, which is a hypoallergenic alloy that is brighter than normal steel and also more scratch-resistant, the resulting wrist presence is more visually linked to a precious metal like white gold or platinum, but as practical and hard-wearing steel. Over-engineered inside and out, the Alpine Eagle XPS is Chopard doing what Chopard does best - make an exceptional watch even better than it needed to be purely for the love of the game.

This example is in exceptional condition throughout. While not unworn, it has been carefully worn and, thanks to the scratch resistance of Chopard’s Lucent Steel, shows very few scratches. It shows only the lightest marks that naturally appear as the watch is worn and lived in. The dial, hands, and hour markers are all pristine, and the sapphire crystal exhibition caseback showcases the wonderfully finished cal. L.U.C 96.40-L micro-rotor movement in all of its glory. Indeed, the set is as complete as possible too, with all of its links, booklets, papers, box, and outer boxes and everything else it left the AD with.

Brand: Chopard L.U.C.
Model: Alpine Eagle 41 XPS Ultra-Thin
Reference: 298623-3001
Set: Watch, box, and papers
Year: 2024
Dial: Salmon
Material: Stainless steel (Lucent steel)
Movement: Automatic L.U.C. micro-rotor cal. 96.40L
Case Diameter: 41mm
Thickness: 8mm
Lug-to-lug: 47mm
Bracelet/Strap: Integrated stainless steel (Lucent steel) bracelet