The Watches & Wonders 2023 event brings together nearly 49 brands, the largest number ever seen since its inception. Among this myriad of watchmaking and jewelry artisans, Chopard unveils four exceptional new products, reinforcing its place at the heart of fine watchmaking and fine jewelry.
Held from March 27 to April 2, 2023 in the traditional Palexpo convention center, Watches & Wonders is undoubtedly the unmissable event to present the biggest new products of the year from the greatest luxury watchmakers.
Maison Chopard has unveiled no fewer than four new products... the Chopard Alpine Eagle 41 XPS, Happy Hearts Pink Opal, Happy Sport 25mm as well as the Chopard Imperial, a true watchmaking masterpiece.
Chopard Alpine Eagle 41 XPS
Despite its relative youth – launched in 2019 – theAlpine Eagle has a pedigree that dates back to the 1970s. The Eagle of the Alps has been interpreted in many forms, including a flyback chronograph, a high-frequency caliber, and a flying tourbillon.
Today, the eagle soars into new territory with an ultra-thin case and a small seconds dial. The slim profile is due to the inclusion of the LUC caliber 96.40-L, an automatic movement measuring 3,30 mm thick. Impressive by any standard, but add in the fact that the watch is dual-timed and also Poinçon de Genève certified, and you understand that this is serious watchmaking.
The case is also svelte, measuring just 8 mm thick in Lucent steel, with 85% recycled materials, which is an important contribution to Chopard's commitment to the environment. The 41 mm case features eight functional screws on the bezel, which, along with the flange, has been reduced to allow for a larger dial than previous versions.
When it comes to the dial, Chopard has always drawn inspiration from nature, and this watch is no exception. The Monte Rosa pink dial is inspired by Alpine landscapes and is produced by galvanic treatment on the brass dial base, in a pattern inspired by an eagle's iris, with applied hours and Roman quarters.
Happy Hearts Pink Opal
Chopard excels in creating jewelry that captures not only our eyes with its beautiful designs, but also our hearts. Since its debut in the Maison's window, the collection Happy Hearts Chopard has won the hearts of many people around the world thanks to its feminine yet modern design.
An essential emblem of Chopard jewelry, the Happy Hearts collection flourishes in a brand-new pink opal heart design. Embodying gentleness and serenity, Pink Opal boasts origins in the Peruvian Andes, which give it an aura of delicacy and symbolic richness. In traditional Indian medicine, Pink Opal is considered the stone of the heart chakra, providing emotional calm and relief.
In addition to these peaceful virtues, Pink Opal is also said to be a source of creativity and imagination, and to aid self-acceptance and open-mindedness. By adorning Pink Opal, the Happy Hearts collection accompanies women like true talismans, whether in the small joys of everyday life or in the radiant glow of splendid evenings.
Chopard Happy Sport 25mm
La Chopard Happy Sport The original Chopard collection embraced the concept of Joie de Vivre in every possible way, offering sparkling glamour without the pressure of precious metal. Announced alongside the Happy Hearts jewelry line, the latest addition to the collection is the Chopard Happy Sport 25mm, which takes a step further into delicate femininity with its dancing diamonds.
The 25mm case size suggests this watch is more of an accessory than a timepiece, as evidenced by the lack of minute markers on the dial. That said, it's undoubtedly a beautiful accessory. The polished surfaces of the steel case are very attractive, and four bezel options are available. Alternatively, you can opt for a simple bezel in steel or 18k rose gold, or either of these metals also set with a diamond ring.
Above the silver sunburst dial, applied hour markers are displayed with Roman numerals at the quarters for a beautifully traditional look. The sword-shaped hands also lend a sharp elegance, but the main attraction of any Chopard Happy Sport are the dancing diamonds. Five set diamonds are arranged between the dial and the crystal, and a fascinating technical solution makes them move.
All variants of the Chopard Happy Sport 25mm come with a navy blue leather strap, although the single-bezel models are paired with a double-wrap bracelet for a bolder wrist presence. These watches are also equipped with a Swiss quartz movement for greater efficiency, precision, and accessibility.
Chopard Imperial
THEImperial from Chopard is a range of feminine watches characterized by floral motifs and elaborate material decorations, but this new limited edition for Watches & Wonders is perhaps the most ambitious and glamorous to date.
For the latest Chopard Impériale, the lotus flower has been revisited as the underlying theme for both decorations and complications. The lotus is celebrated in many cultures and has a long list of meaningful associations, but this particular tribute follows an Egyptian legend that the sun rises when the petals have opened at dawn, before setting when the flower closes in the dark.
The lotus is depicted here in resplendent 18-karat rose gold, delicately engraved to reveal the texture of the petals. The top half of the flower has been skeletonized to reveal the dial beneath, which is actually a fully rotating day/night indicator.
The rotating dial is a captivating work of ornate craftsmanship, even for a jeweler of Chopard's caliber, and it will certainly be difficult to resist setting the time just so you can watch the display spin. The central disc is crafted from mother-of-pearl with a gradient of blue, forming extremely convincing fluffy clouds by day and a luminous night sky.
Gold powder was used to create delicate five-pointed stars on the night side, and a spectrum of blue sapphires was used with diamonds to form the ring of gemstones around the perimeter of the dial.
The 18-carat rose gold case is of course also set with diamonds, as is the crown with a sapphire cabochon. The 36 mm diameter allows for a versatile fit, meaning anyone with confidence can wear this watch. The blue alligator leather strap is seamless and perfectly matches the dial colors, and it is fitted with a simple pin buckle closure.
The movement is visible through a sapphire crystal caseback, which also offers ample viewing opportunities. The in-house Chopard 96.30-L movement is decorated with Geneva stripes and circular graining, with expert finishing and a micro-rotor for automatic winding. The power reserve is an impressive 65 hours at 4 Hz, making this a watch as impressive mechanically as it is visually.
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