Introducing The Chopard Alpine Eagle 41 Shikkoku Japan-Solely Version

Chopard is out to beat the Land of the Rising Solar with an unique 100-piece version of its Alpine Eagle watch. By far the darkest iteration of the model’s luxurious sports activities watch, the dial is impressed by a jet-black tone identified in Japan as shikkoku. This intense black color is obtained from the millenary Japanese lacquerware method often called urushi. Promoted by Chopard’s ambassador, the Japanese rugby participant Keita Inagaki, the Alpine Eagle 41 Shikkoku Japan-Solely breaks rank and eliminates the date indication to protect the brooding monochromatic temper of the dial.

Shikkoku

Though Chopard has produced dials with urushi lacquer, this Alpine Eagle will not be made utilizing this ancestral method. As an alternative, it adopts the signature black color related to urushi lacquerware. Because the darkest shade of black – a predecessor of Vantablack, in the event you like – the Japanese affiliate its impenetrable darkness with the thought of thriller, simplicity and tranquillity related to Zen aesthetics.

Utilizing its sporty-chic however very passé 1980 St. Moritz watch as a base, Chopard launched its Alpine Eagle luxurious sports activities watch in 2019. Out there with a number of issues, sizes and supplies, the mannequin chosen for the Japanese market is a 41mm time-and-date in stainless-steel.

Monochromatic dial

Sharing specs with different 41mm time-and-date Alpine Eagle fashions, the novelty right here is the intriguing matte black dial with the attribute striated sample to recommend the iris of an eagle’s eye. To consolidate the dial’s darkish, virtually lava-like temper, the utilized Roman numerals, indices and fingers are additionally a shiny black color and enhanced with Cool Gray Tremendous-LumiNova that offers them a stony look. The impact is engaging and considerably rawer than different Alpine Eagle dials. The arrow-styled seconds hand with the eagle feather counterweight can be black. As talked about, the date window has been eradicated, permitting the feel of the dial to prevail.

Lucent metal

In step with the model’s dedication to sustainable luxurious, the watch and built-in bracelet are manufactured from Chopard’s proprietary Lucent Metal. Developed with companion Voestalpine Böhler, this alloy is 50% extra immune to abrasion, more durable (223 Vickers) and extra reflective and luminous (lucent) than typical metal alloys and is comprised of 80% recycled materials. Like all Alpine Eagles, the tonneau-shaped case and the spherical bezel with eight aligned screws are embellished with vertically brushed surfaces and polished bevels. The case thickness is 9.7mm, and the screw-down crown guaranteeing the 100m water-resistance of the case, is protected by crown guards and options an engraved compass rose.

Calibre 01.15-C

The automated motion featured in different Alpine Eagle time-and-date fashions – calibre 01.01-C – has been redesigned to remove the date mechanism ensuing within the new calibre 01.15-C. Nonetheless licensed by the COSC as a chronometer, the motion revealed via the tinted glass caseback beats at 28,800vph and delivers a strong 60h energy reserve.

Availability & Worth

The Chopard Alpine Eagle 41 Shikkoku is a restricted version of 100 items and might be accessible completely in Japan. The retail worth is JPY 2,156,000 (or EUR 16,600 with taxes in Europe). For extra info, please seek the advice of Chopard.com.