Every two years, TimeForArt offers Chopard the opportunity to showcase the expertise of its artistic Crafts through a one-of-a-kind timepiece. This year, the unique creation reinterprets the iconic lines of the Alpine Eagle collection. Introduced in 2019, Alpine Eagle has represented far more than a watch collection. Reinterpreting a historic Chopard watch from the 1980s through the shared vision of three generations of the Scheufele family, it is rooted in a powerful symbol: the eagle soaring above the Alps, a majestic creature whose far-reaching vision, freedom and strength have long inspired wonder.
Conceived as a tribute to Nature, Alpine Eagle celebrates those whom Chopard calls the ‘contemporary eagles’: men and women whose determination and ability to elevate others leave a lasting mark on society. It is this spirit that makes Alpine Eagle a natural choice for TimeForArt. By championing artistic expression, exceptional craftsmanship and individuals whose talent enriches the cultural landscape, the biennial auction reflects values that resonate deeply with the collection’s founding ethos. These ideals find expression in a wealth of symbols inspired by the Alpine world – from the compass rose engraved on the crown and the eagle-feather-shaped seconds hand to the exceptional luminosity of Lucent Steel™ and the interplay of satin-brushed and polished finishes that echo the contrasts of mountain landscapes.
At the heart of this Alpine Eagle 41 XP model lies a hand-engraved gold dial. Where the collection’s watches are traditionally distinguished by a stamped dial inspired by the iris of the eagle, this particular creation is adorned with a motif depicting the movement of an eagle’s wing in full flight. Its plumage takes shape through a meticulously sculpted bas-relief, carved into white gold. This technique creates a remarkable sense of volume and depth from a subtly raised sculpture while preserving the dial’s exceptional slenderness, with an overall thickness of no more than one millimetre. A delicately applied patina then reveals the richness of the engraved details and enhances the interplay of contrasts. The artisan has modelled each feather with particular attention to variations in relief and the transitions between different planes, allowing light to glide across the engraved surfaces and reveal the full richness of their nuances.
This miniature masterpiece required no fewer than 80 hours of meticulous, entirely hand-crafted work. It is housed within a 41 mm Lucent Steel™ case, whose harmonious proportions provide a broad opening onto the motif.
The transparent case-back reveals the self-winding L.U.C 96.17-L movement, developed, produced and assembled within Chopard Manufacture. Thanks to its ultra-thin architecture of just 3.30 mm, this calibre enables the watch to maintain a remarkably slender profile, with the case measuring only 8 mm in height. Equipped with a micro-rotor and Chopard Twin technology featuring two stacked barrels, it delivers an impressive 65-hour power reserve. Operating at a frequency of 28,800 vibrations per hour, it reflects the Maison’s commitment to precision, reliability and mechanical excellence.
In keeping with the Alpine Eagle spirit, the timepiece is fitted with a seamlessly integrated Lucent Steel™ bracelet, combining comfort and elegance. Recently reimagined to enhance both qualities, the bracelet features a more pronounced taper across its first five links, while its narrower profile towards the clasp further accentuates the watch’s sleek silhouette. The bracelet is equipped with an integrated comfort-extension system built into the triple-blade folding clasp. Through a simple pull and push mechanism, the bracelet can be extended by up to 5 mm, instantly adapting to changes in temperature, wrist movement, or activity levels.
Created exclusively for TimeForArt 2026, this one-of-a-kind watch illustrates Chopard’s ability to explore new forms of expression within its established collections. Co-President Karl-Friedrich Scheufele sums it up well, saying: “TimeForArt offers us a unique platform to explore the dialogue between horology and artistic expression. With this one-of-a-kind Alpine Eagle, we wanted to go beyond the traditional codes of the collection, transforming the dial into a true work of art.”
