Alpiner Extreme Regulator Automatic Blue Ref. AL-650NDG4AE6B
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Founded by Gottlieb Hauser in 1883, Alpina has been a creative swiss brand from the early 20th century where they manufactured watch movements and calibers for both the Swiss and the German market. They focus much on rugged tool watches that provide supplies even to the military back then and continuing their legacy till today. They are currently the sister brand of Frederique Constant, whose primary focus is classic watches. Alpina, on the other hand, specializes in sports watches, mainly the Alpiner (Land), Seastrong (Sea) and Startimer (Air) while consistently providing accessible luxury watches. Today, we are proud to be the first to introduce, the all-new Alpiner Extreme Regulator collection..
Alpina Alpiner Extreme Regulator Automatic Blue Ref. AL-650NDG4AE6B
Designed from scratch, the Alpina takes on a different design from their current lineup, but mainly still reminiscent of the quirky cushion-shaped case watches from the late 70s. The watch still has current specifications of 41mm by 42.5mm and 11.5mm thick. The lugs to lugs dimensions of only 42.5mm make this watch extremely comfortable on all wrist sizes.
Although it carries much of the same spirit of the 2009 original Steastrong design, the new Alpiner Extreme Regulator is an heavily upgraded 3-part case design. Made out of 316L stainless steel, the case distills a distinctive structure while being sharp-looking and feel altogether in a wearable package. Together with its multi-finishing that often punches way above Alpina’s price-point, the overall look is conspicuously multi-layered, faceted with an ultra-modern look in addition to the brand’s spirit in which resonates with the integrated sports watch theme.
The crisply satined and polished bezel features six emblazoned screws with a mountainous triangular motif in honor of Alpina’s alpine heritage. To finish up, the case is fitted with a screw-down crown with rubberized knurling to allow easy operation even with wet hands or heavy mountaineering gloves. The crown is then flanged with a bold looking crown-guard in which are balanced off on the other side of the case with the additional slab at 9’o clock.
Brushed and polished stainless steel 3-part case
Underneath the sapphire crystal belies a textured dial surface, completed with a sharply stamped repeating triangular pattern that lends an almost architectural three-dimensionality to the design. The grey sub-duals are sinked into the textured blue dial, with the one at 10’o clock displaying the hours and the 6’o clock handles the running seconds.
The ridges and recesses formed by the trianglular pattern also work in conjunction with the black sunburst dial, creating a dazzling array of highlights and shadows in the different lighting conditions. Alpina’s modernist take on the classic alpha handset gives the Extreme collection a sense of refinement on the wrist, especially when paired with the faceted applied indices and the brand’s signatures red triangular seconds hand counterweight. A generous fill of white luminous material across the handset and indices makes this an instantly legible design even in darkness.
Flipping the watch over and seen through its sapphire display case-back, Alpina powers the Alpiner Extreme Regulator Automatic line with its AL-650 automatic movement. This reliable engine offers a handful of attractive finishing touches, including a sub-dial regular display. Alpina’s unique asymmetrical, black-coated winding rotor keeps the overall look clean and sporty. In terms of performance, the AL-650 provides a dependable 38-hour power reserve at a 28,800 bph beat rate.
Green luminous glows in the dark
To complete the integrated sports watch design, Alpina fits the Alpiner Extreme Regulator Automatic with an integrated stainless steel bracelet. The push-button bracelet is done in both satined finishing on most surfaced, only to be separated by a sharp polished chamfering on the sides. This well-finished bracelet marries both the toughness and comfortability, giving the overall design a more luxurious, cohesive feel. Truth be told, it is one of the most meticulously executed bracelet we have handled at this price point. Kudos to Alpina showing off its craftsmanship right here.
Since over a decade of the line’s introduction, the upgraded Alpiner Extreme Regulator Automatic delivers a new life into this cornerstone line, catering both an outdoor-capable all-purpose tool watch and a truly dynamic, modern-ish integrated design. The bi-coloured regulator dial formats truly shouts Alpina DNA and we’re glad they brought it back in style.
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