Let’s be very clear: the launch of the Alpiner Extreme Automatic by Alpina was less about “sea, sex and sun” - like Serge Gainsbourg's song - and a great deal more about “snow, sweat and sun”! However, it goes without saying that the cold-weather version was immensely enjoyable!
Aiguille du Midi
After pulling on our cold-weather gear, hat, gloves and hiking boots, we set off for the Aiguille du Midi in France, part of the Mont Blanc range, which tops out at 3,842 metres. Once at the summit, the lack of oxygen became immediately apparent, as we began to feel light-headed. The Pas dans le Vide – a popular tourist attraction comprising a glass capsule suspended over a vertiginous drop, provided an additional challenge – being a watch journalist is a high-risk profession, as I’m sure you understand – but it rewarded us with some breathtaking views. The idea of being able to see something that is generally hidden from view put me in mind of the sapphire caseback of the Alpiner Extreme Automatic (securely strapped to my wrist), which provides a view of the automatic calibre AL-525 inside.
From the Aiguille du Midi we could see Mont Blanc and its neighbouring peaks. As we took a snapshot of the Alpiner against the snowy landscape, we couldn’t help drawing a parallel between the triangles on the dial (the Alpina logo) and the rocky summits reaching up into the cold, blue sky. “Cold” was a key word of the trip, or perhaps “chilly” would be more accurate. Nevertheless, the rubber strap was very pleasant to wear in the frigid temperatures. Rubber insulates and remains warm, unlike metal bracelets, which tend to transmit cold straight to the skin. The rubber crown is also easy to manipulate, given that the material offers a comfortable grip. This detail might seem irrelevant, but it becomes important when you’re doing sport, particularly in the mountains, and you need to act quickly. And that takes us to our hike across the Courmayeur glacier, over in Italy.
Courmayeur
Roped up for safety (which had the benefit of making us feel like pro mountaineers, which we are definitely not), we embarked on the conquest of the Courmayeur glacier. In blazing sun, under a blue sky peppered with fluffy clouds, the snow looked as white and smooth as a sheet of silk. The landscape was spectacular. Given that I think of watches 24 hours a day, the view brought to mind the cushion-shaped case of the Alpiner Extreme Automatic, whose distinctive design is a combination of softness and strength. The shape gives the timepiece some additional angles, like the mountain peaks, while the rounded sides recall the landscape after a heavy snowfall, when every counter is softened. Even the case finishes are reminiscent of an Alpine scene: the brushed finish is like the ice that lay concealed under the snow, emerging here and there, while the polished surfaces recalled the way the sun shone off the snowy mantle. With such a beautiful landscape ahead of us, we could have kept on going forever, like the Alpiner’s automatic movement. In fact, it’s a good thing it’s not manually wound, or we would have had to be more careful about the 38-hour power reserve.
With a price tag of CHF 1,595, the Alpiner Extreme Automatic offers exceptional value for money. Be sure to remember this model, because it will no doubt be at the centre of Alpina’s future product strategy.
