As (most) watch geeks (but not many others) know, the essential attributes of the modern sports watch were set out in 1938 by Alpina: antishock, antimagnetic, water-resistant and stainless steel. These four fundamentals produced the Alpiner 4, which is the brand's flagship line. Such core features were dictated by the surrounding landscape of lakes and mountains and are still entirely relevant for any watch with sporty or, more broadly, outdoorsy ambitions.
It would have been tempting for a brand, Alpina, that originated in the Alps and whose best-selling range is the Alpiner to have stayed comfortably within this environment of snow and ice, but little by little Alpina has expanded beyond these horizons. Several of its collections today are designed for the underwater world or for aviation. More recently, the brand has been exploring a more precious register, which is precisely where the new Alpiner Extreme Quartz comes in.
Eye-catching
Recognisably an Alpiner with its cushion case, integrated strap, triangular counterweight on the seconds hand and the brand logo, an exclusive aesthetic makes this model a real standout.
One of its most striking features has to be the dial, in a palette of blues that could at first glance suggest waves but is actually inspired by the chromatic variations observed inside a glacier. After all, ice ultimately melts and flows into the sea and the ocean. So as to really bring this composition to the fore, Alpina has imagined a rubber strap in the same shade of blue verging on turquoise.
There is a definite sense of adventure about this watch, which makes no secret of its robustness. The cushion case is a hallmark of the Alpiner collection and, despite its compact size (34 x 35 mm), conveys strength and security. This Alpiner Extreme Quartz is designed to be noticed.
Diamond delights
Of course, it's impossible to ignore the 102 diamonds on the bezel. This is the first instance of precious stones on an Alpiner and their presence may seem counter-intuitive. It's rare for a rugged, all-terrain watch to come with a heavily gem-set bezel but the combination works well in the metal. The white diamonds make a natural match for the light tones expressed by the different shades of blue, while the gleam of the steel case's polished edges brings further shine and sparkle.
What next?
As refreshing as a glass of ice-cold water, this eye-catching Alpiner Extreme Quartz will be limited to 83 pieces. Demand will almost certainly be much greater but Alpina could easily run with the idea and explore other mountain colours such as forest green or granite grey. In which case it might consider increasing this beauty's water-resistance... and maybe equip it with a mechanical movement.
