The Most Underrated Sports Watch Just Got Way More Versatile

There’s now something for everyone.

By Johnny Brayson

Published April 10, 2025

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Updated April 29, 2025

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Chopard expanded its Alpine Eagle collection with several compelling new versions
The line’s first platinum version offers multiple small improvements
The third generation of the high-frequency Cadence model sets a new standard for sportiness

If you’re in the market for an integrated sports watch, there’s no dearth of options. From budget picks like the Tissot PRX and Christopher Ward Twelve to high-end classics such as the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak and Patek Philippe Nautilus, virtually every brand today makes a watch in this category. Even Rolex, one of the final holdouts in the genre, finally joined the fray this year with the buzzy Land-Dweller.

Watches and Wonders Geneva: The watch world’s biggest release party may be over but the year in horology has just begun. Catch up on all the key novelties from Rolex, Panerai, Patek Philippe and more.

One of the best integrated sports watches on the market, and perhaps my personal favorite, is the Chopard Alpine Eagle. Priced in between those budget picks and the high-end icons, the Alpine Eagle tends to fly under the radar — no pun intended.

But this year at Watches and Wonders Geneva, Chopard rolled out some new versions of the Alpine Eagle that showcase just how versatile the design is — and they’ve made the watch more tempting than ever.

a closeup of a chopard watch dial — The Chopard Alpine Eagle was already great. Now it’s downright amazing.

From Ceramicized Titanium to Platinum

Headlining the expanded Alpine Eagle collection is the first version of the watch in platinum, the Alpine Eagle 41 XP CS Platinum. Not only is the watch crafted from the king of precious metals, but it also offers several key improvements over the standard Lucent Steel models that address those watches’ biggest criticisms.

First, the dial has been cleaned up. The 4:30 date has been removed, and there is now just one Roman numeral index at 12 o’clock, with the Romans at 3, 6 and 9 having been deleted. This allows the beauty of the Alpine Eagle’s signature eagle iris-inspired dial pattern to really shine.

a chopard watch bracelet — The platinum model’s bracelet boasts a reshaped design with a more dramatic taper.

The bracelet has also been reworked, as it has a more dramatic taper than before. One frequent criticism of the Alpine Eagle’s bracelet is that it’s a bit blocky and doesn’t taper enough, and the platinum model solves this and feels much more elegant on the wrist because of it.

The dial itself debuts a new gradient blue colorway that’s unbelievably gorgeous in person — the brand dubs it ‘Shades of Ice’ — and the case measures just 8mm thick thanks to the COSC-certified Cal. L.U.C 96.42-L automatic movement inside, complete with a platinum micro rotor. Despite its haute internals and luxe exterior, however, this is still a sports watch with 100m of water resistance.

the caseback of a chopard watch showing an automatic movement — Powering the platinum Alpine Eagle is an L.U.C. movement boasting a Geneva Seal, COSC certification and a platinum micro rotor.

Next up is the third generation of the brand’s titanium, high-frequency Alpine Eagle Cadence. Again, we see some new improvements that make the watch even more compelling.

The case, instead of bare titanium, is now made of ceramicized titanium with a beadblasted finish. This ceramic-metal hybrid provides increased scratch protection along with a stealthier appearance. It’s also used on the crown, dial and even in the movement, resulting in the lightest timepiece Chopard has ever released.

the caseback of a chopard watch — The latest Alpine Eagle Cadence is the lightest watch Chopard has ever made.

The dial also debuts a new colorway, “Pitch Black,” which sees the indices and date window blacked out for an aesthetic that can only be described as “badass” — not a word that gets thrown around the Chopard manufacture a lot, if I had to guess. The dial also features more orange accents compared to the second generation, adding some brilliant contrast.

The COSC-certified Chopard Cal. 01.14-C automatic movement inside, like previous Cadence models, beats at a blistering 8Hz. That’s 57,600 vibrations per hour, which is double the beat rate of most Swiss automatic watches. This results in a silky smooth sweep of the seconds hand and increased precision.

a closeup of a black chopard watch dial — How cool is this Pitch Black dial?

The 9.75mm-thick, 100m-water resistant case is paired with an integrated black rubber strap equipped with a titanium pin buckle, adding to the watch’s resolute sportiness.

Pricing and Availability

The Alpine Eagle is a legitimate luxury watch, and these new models are among the most luxurious examples Chopard makes, in addition to being the two I most covet. (Isn’t that always the case?)

The Alpine Eagle 41 SL Cadence 8HF is priced at $25,000 and is limited to 250 pieces. The Alpine Eagle 41 XP CS Platinum is a non-limited Chopard boutique exclusive priced at $110,500.

At that price, the platinum model is obviously out of reach for most, but I hope some of the features the watch introduces — namely the cleaner dial design and reshaped bracelet — make their way to more approachable steel Alpine Eagles in the near future.