Behind The Chopard Alpine Eagle 41 SL Cadence 8HF

Clad in a robust casing with an edgy design, this high-frequency sports watch breaks the mould.

The watch

Best known for bright diamonds and elegant timepieces, 165-year-old Swiss jeweller Chopard may not be the first brand to come to mind when you think about contemporary sports watches. The Alpine Eagle 41 SL Cadence 8HF challenges those preconceptions. This sleek model is defined by expert watchmaking and advanced materials, making it one of the most remarkable in the Alpine Eagle collection – a reinterpretation of Chopard’s classic St. Moritz, first launched in 1980.

The details

Alpine Eagle timepieces usually come with an integrated metal bracelet, polished case and radially textured dial. The 41-millimetre SL Cadence 8HF veers from the script with a blacked-out case in ceramicised titanium, which has a hardness and shock resistance on par with ceramic, thanks to electro-plasma treatment. The Pitch Black titanium dial, hands and numerals, plus the rubber strap, double down on the piece’s edgy aesthetic, while vibrant orange highlights accentuate its sophisticated inky darkness. It’s even more impressive on the inside, thanks to the L.U.C calibre, with a tungsten rotor and silicon escapement. This movement beats at a very high eight-hertz frequency, making it highly accurate.

The takeaway

Remarkable as it is, the colour scheme would have to be third on the list of selling points for this particular Chopard. It’s the combination of the high-tech case material with the exceptional craftsmanship that sets it apart, not just on paper but on the wrist. The SL stands for “Super Light” and if you have the chance to wear this limited-edition watch, it’ll be immediately apparent why this Alpine Eagle soars.