The brand’s existing Lucent steel, used for the Alpine Sports collection, will be made of 80% recycled steel by the end of this year and 90% by 2025. The company will also be using recycled steel for other watch models it is producing. The main force behind this sustainability effort is co-president Caroline Scheufele, who for many years (before it became fashionable) has been working with organisations and mines across the world to ethically source the brand’s precious stones and gold.

I’ve loved the Alpine Eagle since its launch and since Karl-Friedrich Scheufele kindly explained the concept to me in a wonderful, relaxed talk. This year, the sporty line is welcoming an ultrathin model with a small seconds indication. The L.U.C 96.40-L calibre is 3.30mm thick, is chronometer-certified and provides 65 hours of power reserve. The 41mm case is 8mm thick. The dial is a “Monte Rosa pink” – inspired by the pink shades that can sometimes be seen in the Swiss Alps.

In the same collection, the Cadence 8HF is the second high-frequency model from the Alpine Eagle lineup. The 41mm case and bracelet are both made of grade 5 titanium. It is powered by the in-house chronometre-certified 01.12-C calibre, which beats at 47,600 vibrations per hour. The dial is very intensely black, as is night-time in the Swiss mountains.

Another chronograph (yes, everybody came up with chronos) joins my favourite Chopard collection: Mille Miglia. Crafted in Lucent Steel, it has a slender 40.5mm case and a mechanical self-winding chronograph movement. 54 hours of power reserve, 28,800 vph, many colour options, all incredibly beautiful and Italian looking and sounding: light green Verde Chiaro, cherry red Rosso Amarena, and racing black Nero Corsa, greyish Grigio-Blue.

As always, lovely jewellery and haute joaillerie pieces from Caroline, which we will cover in separate articles – just a quick nod to the beautiful new Happy Diamonds Planet collection, especially the necklaces.

And yes, Julia Roberts, the brand’s ambassador, is naturally beautiful, relaxed, and very knowledgeable about watches and sustainability.