Chopard Alpine Eagle 41mm: A Threat to The Holy Trinity
I’m not good at reviews nor writing, so I’ll simply call this a sharing.
Wrist size: 6 3/4 inch
I own an AP RO 15500ST black dial, I’ve tried a 5710, but this Chopard Alpine Eagle 41mm is special.
First of all, I bought the RO out of the holy trinity because:
1. I couldn’t afford a 5710, and it looks small
2. Overseas always appears to be ranking 3rd in the Holy Trinity family (at least to me)
3. AP’s stainless steel polishing is stunning. The first time I held the real thing, it impressed me so much. It looked even better than most white gold watches I had seen.
So out of all the reasons, why Alpine Eagle?
When it first launched, I thought this was just another integrated bracelet watch, trying to capture the hype. However it grew on me as I see more pictures and reviews of it (great marketing, it worked on me).
Here I’m gonna explain why I love the watch so much.
The Good
- Perfect Size and Elegance
Sitting at the same case size as the RO, perhaps of it’s the shorter lug to lug length (don’t know how to properly call that as they are both with an integrated bracelet, but you get the point), or a different case shape, the Alpine Eagle looks much smaller than the RO. (I’m not saying this is a bad thing, it depends on your wrist size) It is also thin enough to slide under the cuff. I don’t ever wear a shirt, so it doesn’t really matter to me, but this gives it an elegant dress watch look. - Amazing Dial
RO has its iconic waffle-like dial, but Alpine Eagle’s details and finishing is just as good. They are different, but AE’s is unique. - Great Polishing
I’ve mentioned how stunning the polishing of the RO is, but I just have to say Chopard is up to the standard if not better. The SA also mentioned that Chopard makes its own stainless steel, which gives me a prestigious feeling owning that watch. - Availability
You can actually buy it from a boutique. They are not playing games like Rolex, AP or PP. The waiting list is definitely shorter than the Overseas. - Variety of Models
There are 3 dial colors, blue, grey and green. There is a chrono (43mm), smaller size 36mm, 33mm, two tone, rose gold, and with diamonds.
(I highly recommend ladies to try the 41mm first, it’s not as big as you thought.) - Price
I bought the watch for £10k at Harrods, London. The retail price of it in Hong Kong is HKD 109,000 (USD 13,900). In no way this is a cheap watch, but I’m comparing it to the Holy Trinity, the Alpine Eagle is considered CHEAP. Especially for the quality you’re getting.
The Bad
- Sub-par Movement Decoration
Ok, I’m not saying the movement looks mediocre, but it is compared to other Chopard watches. However, keep in mind that the Alpine Eagle is the entry level watch in the Chopard family. - Losing Value
Secondary market is a lot cheaper than SRP, even cheaper than the price I paid after tax refund. Expect you’re gonna lose some value right after you left the boutique with the watch. But I’m secretly betting that this watch will catch up in value in the future.
Ok I’m trying to fighting every point I listed under “bad”, so I’ll stop here. Guess you’d figured how much I love this watch.
Because of its availability, I highly recommend you guys to try it on at a boutique, it looks even more stunning in flesh.
Back to the topic I listed. I think this watch is challenging the Holy Trinity in a good way. I’ve always thought that the trinity has taken their position as granted. The Alpine Eagle and H. Moser Streamliner are giving them a kick they needed for so long, and I’m happy to see more competition between these luxury brands.
What are your thoughts? Let’s discuss.
And I appreciate you reading til this point.
Hi I’m Asian, and I love watches. I probably spend too much though…
Great perspectives - thanks for sharing! I have been quite tempted by the Alpine Eagle on several occasions. I especially like the high frequency Cadence edition, but found the mark up vs the standard AE to be quite significant.
Great perspectives - thanks for sharing! I have been quite tempted by the Alpine Eagle on several occasions. I especially like the high frequency Cadence edition, but found the mark up vs the standard AE to be quite significant.
You get what you pay for imho
I tried the Alpine Eagle on in a boutique in Mexico City. The raised center polished link isn't really for me but I can see how the general package appeals to someone looking for something a little offbeat from the Nautilus.
Frankly, two of the big three have never appealed to me and the third, the VC Overseas, is beginning to appear on used markets at roughly retail price so you don't even necessarily need to wait on those.
That said, I do like the competition picking up at the high end.
I'd add the Piaget Polo. I think it actually makes a better balanced Chronograph than any of the big three.
The GP Laureato which is a little RO derivative but has the more attractive h link bracelet in my view
And my personal favorite the Parmigiani Fleurier PF Tonda in all it's iterations.
I will agree with @Edge168n with the Piaget Polo, I think that is a lovely watch in this “category”. I also find it difficult to ”fall in love” with the Alpine Eagle, it’s strikes too near to an RO, but also doesn’t land near enough either. I also do not like screws in my bezels, it’s a personal thing.
It is difficult up at this price point, the conservative in me would argue for a JLC or something like the Polo, but my heart would want to get something absolutely bonkers.
I will agree with @Edge168n with the Piaget Polo, I think that is a lovely watch in this “category”. I also find it difficult to ”fall in love” with the Alpine Eagle, it’s strikes too near to an RO, but also doesn’t land near enough either. I also do not like screws in my bezels, it’s a personal thing.
It is difficult up at this price point, the conservative in me would argue for a JLC or something like the Polo, but my heart would want to get something absolutely bonkers.
I think if JLC put in the time to think through a good integrated bracelet watch, they would absolutely crush in this price range.
I think about the way that the JLC Master ultra Thin Annual calendar is in most respects is comparable to the VC 56 complete calendar at half the price. There's certainly some finishing differences that would need to be bridged but I think there's some sportswatch DNA that JLC could flex a bit.
I think if JLC put in the time to think through a good integrated bracelet watch, they would absolutely crush in this price range.
I think about the way that the JLC Master ultra Thin Annual calendar is in most respects is comparable to the VC 56 complete calendar at half the price. There's certainly some finishing differences that would need to be bridged but I think there's some sportswatch DNA that JLC could flex a bit.
I agree, but I would also argue that it’s nice that JLC just do what they do. I would argue that the release of the VC 222 is a backwards step, and shows a lack of innovation. It’s tiring seeing the same tropes year after year, although I understand from a commercial perspective when your see how successful the PRX has been for the Swatch Group (Tissot), or just the constant appetite the market has for the annual re-issuing of the Black Bay for Tudor. I fail to understand why many watch-buyers clamour for certain ideals and then do not buy them when they are offered... I would argue that if JLC went sporty, you probably wouldn’t pick one up because it’s unlike JLC to go sporty, and the price entry is not one where you would take such a risk. We are creatures of habit, and the marketers know.
I agree, but I would also argue that it’s nice that JLC just do what they do. I would argue that the release of the VC 222 is a backwards step, and shows a lack of innovation. It’s tiring seeing the same tropes year after year, although I understand from a commercial perspective when your see how successful the PRX has been for the Swatch Group (Tissot), or just the constant appetite the market has for the annual re-issuing of the Black Bay for Tudor. I fail to understand why many watch-buyers clamour for certain ideals and then do not buy them when they are offered... I would argue that if JLC went sporty, you probably wouldn’t pick one up because it’s unlike JLC to go sporty, and the price entry is not one where you would take such a risk. We are creatures of habit, and the marketers know.
I mostly agree. It's a natural outcome of an inherently conservative industry charging a substantial amount of money to an inherently conservative customer base. You get low innovation in form factors and technology.
I guess that's why we have independents.
Perhaps some day, I'll go down the custom watch path a la WatchArtSci and gather a couple like minded friends and collectors to stake $10-20K a piece on something truly special. Not there yet of course but life is long.
"I don’t ever wear a shirt"
Randy?
Hey I bought an AE (12.9£k)
I'm very happy with the watch which will be my everyday watch, it suits well on a suit and when I'm wearing sporty gear.
I like the dial and finishing and it's not that common, most importantly it's not a Rolex so there are no people I dislike who wears this (yet).
I tried the Piaget, I didn't try the Parmigiani posted above but in my view they suit older people (I'm 36).
GP looks cool but in my view it's a bit flat in terms of design.
I'm very happy with the watch so far
Very nice and thorough review. Though, I would say it isn't fair to compare the movement finishing of this #chopard Alpine Eagle to your #audemarspiguet RO. As you said, it's the entry level watch of #chopard so I would also find the movement finishing sub-par compared to an AP or a higher end watch. That said, I think this is a pretty cool watch & definitely a great entry level watch especially on the secondary market