CHOPARD UNVEILS A COHESIVE AND CONFIDENT NEW COLLECTION

At Watches and Wonders 2026, Chopard presents a collection of novelties that speaks not through spectacle, but through clarity of intent. There is a measured confidence to this year’s releases, where refinement takes precedence over reinvention, and where each creation is allowed the space to express its purpose. Across its latest creations, the Maison demonstrates a careful balance between technical discipline and expressive design, anchored by a deep respect for its own history and savoir-faire. What emerges is a portrait of a Manufacture that continues to evolve with quiet assurance, guided by continuity as much as by innovation.

This approach is evident across four distinct expressions. The L.U.C 1860 revisits an emblematic design with renewed precision, marking an important milestone for the Manufacture. The Alpine Eagle 41 XPS refines the contemporary sports watch through proportion, comfort, and chronometric performance. L’Heure du Diamant explores the expressive potential of ornamental stones and setting techniques, while the Happy Sport introduces a playful yet considered contrast of materials and motion. Together, these releases form a cohesive narrative, each contributing to a broader understanding of Chopard’s identity today.

The L.U.C 1860 stands at the centre of this year’s presentation, marking three decades since the founding of Chopard Manufacture in Fleurier. Rather than reinterpret the past in a superficial way, this new iteration revisits the original with quiet confidence, preserving its proportions while refining its execution.

The 36.5 mm case in Lucent Steel offers a restrained presence on the wrist, allowing the dial to take precedence. Rendered in a tone known as Areuse Blue, it draws inspiration from the river that flows near the Manufacture. The surface is hand-guilloché using traditional lathes, a process requiring exceptional dexterity and patience, resulting in a dial that captures light with remarkable nuance.

Inside, the L.U.C Calibre 96.40-L continues the lineage of the Manufacture’s first movement. Its micro-rotor architecture, combined with twin stacked barrels, ensures a stable flow of energy and an extended power reserve. The movement is chronometer-certified and bears the Poinçon de Genève, a rare distinction in a steel case and a clear indication of the level of finishing achieved.

There is a deliberate restraint here. No date interrupts the symmetry, no excess distracts from the whole. It is a watch that rewards close attention, where every detail is considered and every surface speaks of handwork.

If the L.U.C 1860 represents introspection, the Alpine Eagle 41 XPS reflects Chopard’s contemporary energy. This latest evolution of the collection refines the formula further, combining a slim profile with a strong visual identity. The new “Mountain Glow” dial introduces a warm, champagne-toned surface, textured to echo the iris of an eagle.

Powering the watch is again the L.U.C 96.40-L calibre, underscoring the shared technical foundation between collections. Its slimness, efficiency and certified precision align perfectly with the Alpine Eagle’s purpose as a modern sports watch with a strong horological core.

Beyond its technical attributes, the Alpine Eagle carries a narrative rooted in family continuity and environmental awareness. The collection’s connection to the Alpine Eagle Foundation reinforces a broader commitment that extends beyond watchmaking itself.

In contrast to the technical focus of the L.U.C and Alpine Eagle lines, L’Heure du Diamant explores the expressive potential of materials. This latest addition centres on the interplay between onyx and diamonds, framed within a cushion-shaped case in ethical white gold.

The deep black onyx dial provides a striking backdrop for the stones' brilliance, each dial inherently unique due to the material's natural variations. Around it, a bezel set with 4.40 carats of diamonds employs Chopard’s crown-setting technique, designed to maximise light transmission and enhance radiance.

The watch is driven by the 09.01-C self-winding movement, developed in-house and offering a 42-hour power reserve. Its compact construction allows for refined proportions while maintaining mechanical integrity. What defines this piece is not simply the presence of precious stones, but the way they are integrated into the design. The result is a composition that feels balanced rather than ornamental, where technique serves aesthetic clarity.

The Happy Sport collection continues to embody a sense of playfulness, yet its latest interpretation introduces a thoughtful contrast between casual and refined elements. A 33 mm case in Lucent Steel houses a mother-of-pearl dial animated by two dancing hearts and three moving diamonds. One heart appears in white mother-of-pearl, while the other displays a soft gradient of pink and purple tones, creating a dynamic interplay of colour and symbolism.

The choice of a denim strap introduces an unexpected texture, reinforcing the idea of contrast that defines this piece. It is a deliberate juxtaposition, where informality meets craftsmanship without tension. As with the L’Heure du Diamant, the watch is powered by the 09.01-C calibre, ensuring that beneath its expressive surface lies a movement conceived and produced entirely within the Maison.

Taken together, Chopard’s 2026 novelties reveal a consistent philosophy. Whether through the disciplined purity of the L.U.C 1860, the contemporary strength of the Alpine Eagle, the material richness of L’Heure du Diamant, or the expressive character of the Happy Sport, each creation reflects a different facet of the same identity. There is a clear emphasis on vertical integration, with movements designed, developed and assembled in-house.

Equally evident is a commitment to traditional crafts, from hand-guilloché to complex stone-setting techniques. These are not presented as isolated features, but as integral parts of a wider narrative. At Watches and Wonders this year, Chopard does not seek to redefine itself. Instead, it refines what it already does with conviction. The result is a collection that feels assured, coherent and quietly confident in its direction.