lpina’s guiding principles remain the same today as in 1883: the quest for efficiency, relevance, and added value for the brand’s collectors, and titanium is one illustration of that quest. It’s highly relevant to the brand’s desire to provide outdoor timepieces that are robust whilst also remaining affordable. And the time has now come to unveil the first ever Alpina watch to be made entirely of titanium: the 39x40.5mm Alpiner Extreme Automatic, featuring a titanium case and strap. This all-new edition of an Alpina outdoor watch is both lighter and stronger – a pioneering, landmark piece that offers a whole new horological experience and an improved look and feel.

Alpina thinks long-term. Every one of the brand’s timepieces is designed to accompany its owner their whole life long – and indeed to be passed on to their descendants. All this makes titanium just the right material for an Alpina outdoor watch; it ticks all the boxes in terms of strength, finishings, affordability and more especially, genuine added value compared to steel, due to its relative lightness.

Titanium weighs half as much as steel, offers better corrosion resistance and is hypoallergenic, making it the perfect addition to the existing Alpiner Extreme range. Similarly, it makes perfect sense for Alpina to introduce the material along with a brand new Alpiner Extreme Automatic. The adoption of a self-winding movement is consistent with the aim of the titanium that protects it, too: it’s more suited to the expectations of the collectors of today. The same kind of logic has been applied in deciding to include a date display, a feature that’s often used in everyday life.

Currently, the Alpina Extreme collection comes in three formats: two mechanical versions with dimensions of 39x40.5mm and 41x42.5mm plus a 34x35.0mm quartz version; the first of these has been selected for the new titanium variant. This more compact format is very much in line with the ethos of the material in which it is now being produced: a smaller timepiece obviously goes hand in hand with lighter titanium. The chosen format and the thinking behind the use of titanium are a perfect match for each other.

To highlight the distinctive nature of this new model, Alpina has chosen finishes that accentuate the presence of titanium. As is customary, the dial is embossed with the triangular motif symbolising the alpine summits from which the brand takes its name; here, it is done out in a contemporary, urban brilliant light grey coupled with a satin finish often used by Alpina for its cases.

The architectural depth of the dial is enhanced by twelve applique hour markers with black mother-of-pearl polished faceting and luminous coating: like its predecessors, this Alpina Extreme is still designed for outdoor pursuits, for which readability is at a premium. The red counterweight on the seconds hand adds a lively touch to the layout, which also features three central hands powered by the Swiss Made AL-525 calibre; the latter boasts a 38-hour power reserve.

The other distinctive feature of the piece is the strap. Alpina has pulled off the feat of keeping the exact same shape of the Alpiner collection’s hallmark bracelet, traditionally made of steel. The wide, integrated strap with central links is here made of titanium sporting similar finishes to its steel counterparts: vertical brushed satin finishing mirroring that on the bezel in such a way that all the externals blend together seamlessly.

At first glance, the watch looks very similar to its steel forebears – but a closer look reveals the subtly different sheen of titanium. On the wrist, the reduced weight achieved by using titanium components really does deliver a whole new wearing experience, just the feature for owners seeking to scale new heights.

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

Reference AL-525S3AE1B

Movement

• AL-525 caliber, automatic
• 38-hour power-reserve, 28’800 alt/h, 26 jewels
• Functions: Hours, minutes, seconds, date

Case

• Brushed and polished titanium grade 2 3-part case
• Diameter of 39X40.50 mm
• Height of 11,50 mm
• Anti-reflective sapphire crystal
• Water-resistant up to 20 ATM/200m/660ft
• Threaded solid case back with engraved Alpiner pattern
• Screw-down crown

Dial

• Silver colour dial with satin-finishing and triangle pattern
• Silver colour outer ring with black markers
• Applied pearl black colour indexes filled with white luminous treatment
• Date window at 3 o’clock
• Hand-polished pearl black colour hour and minute hands filled with white luminous treatment
• Polished pearl black colour second hand with red triangle

Strap

• Brushed and polished titanium grade 2 bracelet
• Folding buckle with push button

RRP 2495 CHF