Celebrating its 140th anniversary, Swiss watch brand Alpina has added four new models to the Alpiner Extreme collection. This new range includes two versions of the Alpiner Extreme Automatic and two Alpiner Extreme Automatic Regulators, each in a limited edition of just 888 pieces. In addition, three of them come with integrated steel bracelets.
Two of the pieces – each in a limited edition of 888 – are new versions of a rare complication, the atypical Automatic Regulator; Alpina is probably one of the last firms to still be making it. There are also two new versions of the Automatic, whose three central hands offer a more traditional reading of the time.
In a first for the brand, three of these new Alpiner Extreme Automatic and Alpiner Extreme Automatic Regulator models now feature an integrated steel strap.
Especially designed for the Alpiner Extreme line, the strap does away with the first link (which often forces a case to be wider). To ensure flexibility and comfort, Alpina has opted for transverse links and a wider, slimmer central link. The bracelets feature brushed finish to deal with any scratches caused by extreme conditions.
Alpina has kept the Alpiner Extreme line’s iconic signature on the dial: a triangular motif that draws inspiration from the firm’s logo. The motif also features on the counterweight of the seconds hand on the Automatic version, recalling Alpina’s beloved snow-capped mountain peaks.
On both the regulator and three-hand versions, all the hour markers are applique and, like the hands, luminous.
Only the date is present on the Alpiner Extreme Automatic (at 3 o’clock), whereas the Alpiner Extreme Automatic Regulator adopts a highly distinctive layout of three counters: the hours at 10 o’clock, the seconds at 6 o’clock, and a large central hand for the minutes. This unusual way of telling the time is in fact very simple and intuitive, with the trio of hours, minutes and seconds read off from left to right and from top to bottom.
The first Alpiner Extreme Automatic Regulator really has been designed around its new steel strap, which sets the overall tone of the piece. Here, it comes with a blue dial and grey sun-brushed counters. The shades are at once clear-cut and seamless, with the blue and grey going together as naturally as the sky above a sunlit Alpine peak.
The new steel strap takes even greater pride of place on the Alpiner Extreme Automatic: both models are fitted with it. On one, the dial’s grey colour is matched by the brushed grey of the strap, while the second version sports a navy-blue dial with a touch of the same blue on the crown grip.
The fourth and final model is the Alpiner Extreme Automatic Regulator on a rubber strap, with its two counters set on a black dial. This assertive, sporty design is also very easy to read, with silver hour markers and hands.
While each of the models has its own distinguishing features, they clearly have an extensive shared ancestry, too. The most obvious example is the robust steel case, very much the style signature of the Alpiner Extreme line.
It comes in an atypical and imposing 41mm x 42.5mm cushion shape for which Alpina has chosen alternating polished and brushed matte finishes, true to the traditional Swiss Made look.
Positioned at 3 o’clock, the crown is well protected by two side lugs and fitted with a knurled rubber grip for perfect handling. Each crown is screwed down, ensuring the piece is water-resistant to 200 metres.
All the models are equipped with an automatic movement visible through an open caseback. The three-hand models use the AL-525 caliber (28,800 vph), while the Regulator models feature the AL-650 caliber (also 28,800 vph).
Each movement boasts a power reserve of 38 hours.
Technical details
Model: Alpina Alpiner Extreme Regulator Automatic
Functions
Hours, minutes, seconds
Movement
AL-650 caliber, automatic
38-hour power-reserve, 28’800 alt/h, 31 jewels
Case
Brushed and polished stainless steel 3-part case
Diameter of 41X42.5 mm
Height of 12.00 mm
Anti-reflective sapphire crystal
Water-resistant up to 20 ATM/200m/660ft
See-through screwed case-back
Screw-in crown
With Navy Blue Dial and Integrated Steel Bracelet, Reference AL-650NDG4AE6B
Dial
Navy blue dial with triangle pattern
Grey outer ring with white markers
Applied silver color indexes filled with white luminous treatment
Grey hour counter at 10 o’clock, hand-polished silver color hour hand filled with white luminous treatment
Hand-polished silver color minute hand filled with white luminous treatment
Grey second counter at 6 o’clock, hand-polished silver color second hand filled with white luminous treatment
Bracelet
Brushed and polished stainless steel bracelet
Folding buckle with push buttons
Edition
Limited to 888 pieces
Suggested retail price
2’450€
With Black Dial and Rubber Strap, Reference AL-650B4AE6
Black dial with triangle pattern
Black outer ring with white markers
Applied silver color indexes filled with white luminous treatment
Black hour counter at 10 o’clock, hand-polished silver color hour hand filled with white luminous treatment
Hand-polished silver color minute hand filled with white luminous treatment
Black second counter at 6 o’clock, hand-polished silver color second hand filled with white luminous treatment
Strap
Black rubber strap
Folding buckle with push buttons
Edition
Limited to 888 pieces
Suggested retail price
2’150€
Model: Alpina Alpiner Extreme Automatic
Functions
Hours, minutes, seconds, date
Movement
AL-525 caliber, automatic
38-hour power-reserve, 28’800 alt/h, 26 jewels
Case
Brushed and polished stainless steel 3-part case
Diameter of 41X42.50 mm
Height of 11.50 mm
Anti-reflective sapphire crystal
Water-resistant up to 20 ATM/200m/660ft
Engraved and see-through screwed case-back
Screw-in crown
With Blue Dial and Integrated Steel Bracelet, Reference AL-525TB4AE6B
Blue dial with triangle pattern
Blue outer ring with white markers
Applied silver color indexes filled with white luminous treatment
Date window at 3 o’clock
Hand-polished silver color hour and minute hands filled with white luminous treatment
Polished silver color second hand with red triangle
Bracelet
Stainless steel bracelet
Folding buckle
Suggested retail price
1995€
With Grey Dial and Integrated Steel Bracelet, Reference AL-525G4AE6B
Dial
Grey dial with triangle pattern
Grey outer ring with white markers
Applied silver color indexes filled with white luminous treatment
Date window at 3 o’clock
Hand-polished silver color hour and minute hands filled with white luminous treatment
Polished silver color second hand with red triangle
Bracelet
Stainless steel bracelet
Folding buckle
Suggested retail price
1,995€
