Let’s be clear from the outset: the launch of Alpina’s Alpiner Extreme Automatic was clearly not in Serge Gainsbourg’s “sea, sex and sun” vibe; it was more like “snow, sweat and sun”. That said, this frosted version was absolutely fantastic!
Alpina Alpiner Extreme Automatic © WorldTempus/Jordy Bellido
Aiguille du Midi
After having put on our warm clothes, hat, gloves and mountain shoes, head for the Aiguille du Midi in France, in the Mont-Blanc massif, at 3,842m. Barely arrived at the top, the lack of oxygen was already felt, because our heads began to spin slightly. The Step into the Void, an attraction that takes the form of a glass cavity above the void, pushed the challenge even further – watchmaking journalism is a very high-risk profession, I am aware of that –, but Above all, he offered us breathtaking shots. Seeing what is usually hidden reminded me of the sapphire caseback of the Alpiner Extreme Automatic I had on my wrist, which allows me to contemplate the automatic caliber AL-525.
Alpina Alpiner Extreme Automatic © WorldTempus/Jordy Bellido
From the Aiguille du Midi, we might admire Mont-Blanc and the various surrounding peaks. When immortalizing the watch with the landscape, one might not help but draw a parallel between the triangles present on the entire dial (the Alpina logo) and the peaks culminating in the cold blue sky. “Cold” is also a key term for this trip, or perhaps rather “fresh”. Anyway, the rubber strap was very pleasant to wear because, despite the low temperature, it retained heat well – unlike metals, which cool and freeze your skin. The crown, also made of rubber, allows a good grip since it is a material that grips well to the skin. This detail seems futile, but it is very important when you play sports (especially in cold mountains) and you have to be reactive. This brings us to our Courmayeur Glacier hike in Italy.
Trek © WorldTempus/Jordy Bellido
Courmayeur Glacier
Roped up for safety – which, by the way, made us feel like pros (even though we were far from that) – we set off to attack the Courmayeur glacier. Bright sunshine, blue sky dotted with clouds, snow white and shiny as silk: the landscape was spectacular. As I think of 24-hour watches, this view reminded me of the cushion case of the Alpiner Extreme Automatic, whose distinctive design blends softness and hardness. This shape brings additional angles to the timepiece, which are akin to mountain peaks, while the rounded sides are reminiscent of snowy landscapes when the snow falls and softens them. Even the finishes of the case matched the alpine surroundings beautifully: the brushed finish blended in with the ice, hidden under the snow and poking its nose here and there, while the polished finish echoed the reflection of the sun on the snowpack. With such a beautiful landscape at our fingertips, we might never have stopped walking, which technically we do given the automatic nature of the movement – luckily it wasn’t manual, because we would have had to be careful to the power reserve of 38 hours otherwise.
Alpina Alpiner Extreme Automatic © WorldTempus/Jordy Bellido
Trek © WorldTempus/Jordy Bellido
Sold at a price of CHF 1,595.-, the Alpiner Extreme Automatic has a much higher perceived value. One thing is certain, remember this model well, because it will be at the center of Alpina’s future strategy.
Alpina Alpiner Extreme Automatic © WorldTempus/Jordy Bellido
