Extreme conditions call for an extreme watch, and the Alpiner Extreme Automatic has inexorably emerged as being the perfect companion for one of the riskiest and most technical competitions in the world – the Freeride World Tour.
In 16 years, the ‘FWT’ (as it’s affectionately known) has visited the world’s most challenging extreme skiing and snowboarding locations, and the 2023 edition will be no exception. With five stages spanning five countries (Canada, Spain, Andorra, Austria, and Switzerland), it’s only natural that the most impressive mountain challenge in the world will conclude on one of the toughest slopes on earth: the Bec des Rosses de Verbier in Switzerland, where competitors will battle it out between 25 March and 2 April 2023.
For the occasion, Alpina will be staging an event worthy of the challenge, including an all-new site sporting the brand’s colours at the Bec des Rosses finishing line and a dedicated zone offering fans the best possible view of the contest.
A watch for extremes
The event is one where the very best skiers and snowboarders will be pushing their limits. To help them on their way, Alpina has designed a watch that echoes the essence of their sport – extreme.
The Alpiner Extreme Automatic Freeride World Tour 2023 is right there where it belongs, in the realm of mountains, outdoor sports, and extreme conditions. Focusing on the essentials (hours, minutes, seconds and date), the timepiece features an automatic caliber beating at 4Hz (28,800 vph) and comes in a chunky 41 x 42.5mm cushion format.
To ensure optimum readability, the Alpiner Extreme Automatic Freeride World Tour 2023 sports white luminous hand and hour markers atop a black dial bearing the Freeride World Tour logo at 6 o’clock. The case is sun-brushed – the wisest choice for a timepiece that by its very nature will be exposed to bumps and scratches. Similar thinking has resulted in a rubber strap ready to deal with slips, extreme temperatures, and the most unexpected circumstances. Located at 3 o’clock, the crown has been fitted with a rubber grip – a vital detail making it easy for gloved riders to operate.
Beneath the scratchproof, glareproof sapphire crystal, Alpina has indulged in a historic nod to its emblem: the dial and seconds hand counterweight echo its legendary triangle logo, symbolising the Alpine summits for which the watch is designed.
From pioneers to riders
Alpina was founded exactly 140 years ago by indefatigable mountain-top pioneers keen to create a watch fit for their love of the heights: shock-absorbent, non-magnetic, waterproof, and rustproof. Such specifications may appear to be self-evident today, but a century ago they were decidedly daring – just like the riders in the FWT 2023.
The first stage of the FWT 2023 in Baqueira Beret, Spain has just ended, with victory going to Swedish skier and rising star of freeride Max Palm, a member of the Alpina team of athletes. The next dates are as follows:
- Ordino Arcalís, Andorra: from 2 to 9 February 2023
- Kicking Horse Golden BC, Canada: from 17 to 22 February 2023
- Fieberbrunn, Austria: from 11 to 17 March 2023
- FINAL – Xtreme Verbier, Switzerland: from 25 March to 2 April 2023
