Tag: Chopard Alpine Eagle Cadence 8HF

Chopard just launched a new titanium Chopard Alpine Eagle Cadence 8HF that features a “pitch black” colored dial and some rather attractive orange accents.

The new high-frequency timepiece belongs to the wider Alpine Eagle family – Chopard’s 2019 answer to the integrated bracelet sport watch trend – and maintains most of the design cues of its 41mm “Lucent” steel predecessor. As mentioned, dial-wise, the Cadence 8HF does have a few notable cosmetic differences, but the main point of departure here is the titanium casing and bracelet as well as the technically advanced in-house high-frequency movement. Chopard Alpine Eagle Cadence 8HF released a limited version of this high-frequency watch back in 2021, which was also produced in titanium. The specs remain pretty much identical: 41mm in diameter, 9.75 mm thick, satin-brushed case and bezel with eight screws, a tapered satin-brushed bracelet with polished central caps, sapphire crystal exhibition case-back printed with “Cadence 8HF,” the Roman numerals at 12 o’clock and the ever notorious 4.30 date window.

The key update to this 2023 version is the new black colored dial, which still features the sunburst pattern (intended to be reminiscent of an eagle’s iris) and now also includes an orange arrow-type seconds hand with eagle’s feather counterweight, an orange “high-frequency” arrow symbol and matching orange railway-track minutes circle. Sounds like a lot of orange, but as you can see above they are small accents that balance out the black dial rather nicely.

The Chopard Alpine Eagle Cadence 8HF Calibre 01.12-C beats at the frequency of 8 Hertz, meaning twice as fast as a standard automatic movement. This is a technical detail that is commonly understood as a means to improve precision and stability. The logic goes like this: The faster the movement beats, the less effect each impact has on the average rate. This high frequency means high speed, thus implying rapid recovery of the isochronous rate.

Chopard has been working on chronometer-certified high-frequency movement since 2012, namely in its L.U.C Haute Horlogerie collections. The Calibre 01.12-C however, will remain exclusively for the Alpine Eagle Cadence 8HF models. This is a fun addition to the Alpine Eagle family. While I’m more of a yellow-gold Alpine Eagle gal, I was still drawn in by the aesthetics of this watch. (Hey, I’m trying to be more open-minded about my watch identity these days.) The stark contrast of the black and orange against the dark titanium gives the Cadence 8HF a super sporty feel – almost like a Porsche Design watch or a kooky driving watch from the ’80s. I think I’ll have to get my hands on this one at the show to decide whether it’s really for me. Maybe this is the beginning of my new sporty identity. Stay tuned!

The manufacture celebrates 25 years of watchmaking in Fleurier with a limited edition, high frequency, lightweight version of its modern sports watch, the Alpine Eagle.
When Chopard introduced the Alpine Eagle in 2019, the brand was in the right place at the right time. Old edicts about when and where to wear a stainless steel sports watch went out the window. The Alpine Eagle’s design codes were inspired by Chopard’s St. Moritz from the 1980s. Yes, it sometimes hurts to think that watches from that era are considered vintage, but time marches on, and a whole new generation of enthusiasts are getting into the design of that decade.

The Chopard Alpine Eagle was an immediate success, and today, Chopard welcomes the Chopard Alpine Eagle Cadence 8HF In titanium. Moving the Alpine Eagle’s story forward by embracing new materials and a souped-up movement. And the reason the brand can make moves like this is because of its independent manufacture in Fleurier. Which coincidentally is celebrating its 25th anniversary in 2021.
The Chopard Alpine Eagle Cadence 8HF In titanium continues the tradition of being at the intersection of cutting-edge and classic design. It combines the comfort of titanium with the power of an elegant but sturdy mechanism. Plus, the 41 mm diameter timepiece houses one of the most advanced chronometer movements to emerge from Chopard’s workshops — the Chopard Calibre 01.12 C. This high-frequency escapement beats at 57,600 vibrations per hour (8 Hz) which is twice as fast as a normal automatic movement.
A high-frequency movement is necessary to achieve maximum precision in a lightweight watch. It’s also an aerodynamic caliber, measuring in at just 9.75 mm thick. Finding the balance between comfort and performance is not an easy feat to pull off. But more on that later.
The Alpine Eagle Cadence 8HF shares many of the attributes of its predecessors. At first glance, you might mistake it for the Alpine Eagle Large in Lucent Steel A223. Plus, there are other 41 mm models in the collection. But when you examine the piece in the metal, you can detect the differences, with the titanium being distinguished by its darker color. It also feels less cool but more comfortable to the touch.
Fans of the Alpine Eagle design codes will be comforted by the satin-brushed bezel, case middle, and wide bracelet link. The central caps of the links are polished, as are the case bevels, while the eight screws featuring slots are set at a tangent to the bezel circle. Thanks to the robustness of the titanium, the wearer won’t have to worry as much about scuffs and scratches.
Many other luxe touches make the Alpine Eagle soar above most sports watches. The watch’s sunburst dial, which Chopard calls the “eagle iris” pattern, is a tribute to the stately raptor’s steely gaze. In the Alpine Eagle Cadence 8HF, the Vals Grey color was inspired by a Swiss village of the same name in the canton of Graubünden, which is known for its houses with quartzite-tiled roofs. The shade of this limited edition is hand-patinated, making each dial unique and, again, distinctive from the rest of the Alpine Eagle collection.
The rest of the display is also appealing. The minutes track is minimalist with baton-type hour-markers and 12 o’clock in Roman numerals. The dial bears two inscriptions: “8 HZ Chronometer” appearing beneath the brand name and a unique arrow-shaped signature reserved for Chopard’s high-frequency watches.
There is something emotionally satisfying about the layout of the movement as well. Luckily, the transparent sapphire crystal case-back reveals the H8F heartbeat of the Chopard Alpine Eagle Cadence. This watch represents another intersection – between the L.U.C Haute Horlogerie collections and the sporty Superfast lines.
One of the benefits of this internal evolution is that Chopard can use the properties of monocrystalline silicon to optimize the capabilities of the 8 Hertz frequency movement. This light, self-lubricating material is used for the pallet-lever, the escape-wheel, and the impulse-pin – basically, any component subject to lots of friction. In turn, this eliminates the need for traditional lubricants to lengthen the movement’s longevity.

The lightness and tribological properties of silicon offered the watchmakers the freedom to develop an escapement dedicated to high frequencies without taxing energy. This is how the automatic Calibre 01.12-C can deliver a 60-hour power reserve.