Actor Mads Mikkelsen spotted wearing a Chopard

Mads Mikkelsen was recently spotted on the wrist with the Chopard Alpine Eagle Flying Tourbillon in Lucent Steel, reference 298616-3001 — a 41mm sports-luxury watch that sits at the upper end of the Alpine Eagle family and represents some of the most ambitious in-house watchmaking Chopard has produced in the modern era.

The Alpine Eagle line was introduced in 2019 as a spiritual successor to the St. Moritz, a Chopard sports watch from the 1980s. The Flying Tourbillon variant, however, elevates the collection into genuine complications territory. The calibre L.U.C 98.01-L delivers a flying tourbillon measuring a remarkable 3.30mm in total thickness — a dimension that demands extraordinary discipline in movement architecture. The 65-hour power reserve, supplied by twin stacked barrels, ensures the watch remains practical despite its technical ambitions. The dial, featuring the collection's signature eagle-eye-inspired apertures and sunburst finishing, frames the tourbillon cage at six o'clock without resorting to theatrical excess.

The case material itself is a talking point in collector circles. Chopard developed Lucent Steel A223 in partnership with its own metallurgical team, producing an alloy that is 50% harder than standard 316L stainless steel. The result resists scratching significantly better while taking a polish that reads closer to white gold than industrial steel. For a watch at this price point and complication level, the choice of steel over precious metal is a deliberate statement about modernity and wearability.

Mikkelsen's affinity for the piece feels consistent with his public persona — he has long favored objects with craft credentials over conspicuous luxury. The Alpine Eagle 298616-3001 is not a watch that announces itself loudly; its sophistication rewards closer inspection, much like the actor's best screen work.

At an official retail price of $120,000, the Chopard Alpine Eagle Flying Tourbillon ref. 298616-3001 occupies serious tourbillon territory, competing with offerings from established complications specialists. On the grey market, pricing has remained relatively close to retail, reflecting both the watch's niche appeal and Chopard's controlled distribution. For collectors seeking a flying tourbillon with genuine in-house provenance and a material story worth telling, this reference holds its own.