Alpiner Extreme Automatic Titanium: the light side of Alpina

There is one reason above all others that explains why Alpina is doing so well. And that is its positioning in the market. Take the new Alpiner Extreme Automatic Titanium. It is a sports watch with an integrated bracelet and, as such, belongs to a rather crowded category of watches. Many of these timepieces, however, are in the higher price ranges, often exceeding € 5,000-6,000, leaving the € 1,000-5,000 range somewhat underserved. With a retail price of € 2,495, the Alpiner Extreme Automatic Titanium is positioned precisely where there is the greatest demand for new products, provided they come with quality. It is precisely this balance between price and quality that makes it a smart choice: a sign of Alpina‘s excellent work.

THE CASE OF THE ALPINER EXTREME AUTOMATIC TITANIUM

After all, the quality of the watch is obvious. The new Alpiner Extreme Automatic Titanium combines one of the lightest materials available on the market today with a more balanced and compact 39 mm case design. The result is the development of a sporty and dynamic concept that nevertheless fits seamlessly into today’s design trend, which favours smaller and, in a certain sense, more understated watches.

Although the case design is in line with the rest of the Alpiner Extreme collection, the smaller diameter and lighter material significantly alter the wearing experience. Although at first glance the square, flat design of the case seems to take up a considerable portion of the wrist, the limited distance between lugs (40.5 mm) and reduced thickness (11.5 mm) make the watch compact and wearable even on small wrists. 

Still focusing on the case, in addition to being 2 mm smaller in diameter, what visually distinguishes it from the steel version (41 mm) is the lighter colour of the metal it is made from. The rest of the difference is, of course, in the weight: the lightness in the combination of the bracelet and case in grade 2 titanium is evident on every wrist. Despite the articulated structure of the case – three layers with a fourth level consisting of the bezel – it might suggest a watch that, when worn, likes to make its presence felt. Not bad for what is the first 100% titanium watch in Alpina’s history.

While the ‘layered’ shape of the case has been borrowed from other models in the collection, the smaller dimensions of the Alpiner Extreme Automatic Titanium give this version a more compact look. Which, paradoxically, draws attention away from the dial and shifts the eye to other structural elements such as the case middle and the distinctive six-screw bezel, which are overall more striking. All this without sacrificing the 20 bar water resistance typical of the Alpiner collection.

Another important new feature is on the back. In the 41 mm versions, the case back was made of sapphire crystal, while here we have a closed case back. This choice reinforces the Alpiner Extreme Automatic Titanium’s vocation as a tool watch, whose main objective should be versatility combined with resistance. Alpina has nevertheless chosen to embellish the case back with an engraving representing the stylised shape of a mountain, executed with attention to detail: with sharp, well-defined edges and pleasing contrast between polished relief surfaces and satin-finished recesses.

A BRIGHT DIAL

Alpina has also chosen to reproduce the aesthetics of the 41 mm versions fairly closely for the dial of the Alpiner Extreme Automatic Titanium. As mentioned above, the revised proportions give the dial a less open appearance when the watch is worn – a choice balanced by the different brightness of the colour compared to the dial of the steel versions. The dial of the Alpiner Extreme Automatic Titanium is in fact a shiny, satin-finished silver colour, which is rather cool. This shade highlights the classic triangular texture of the Alpiner collection, creating plays of light and shadow depending on how the watch is tilted, and adding depth to the overall design. In essence, this choice was made to enhance the texture, which is Alpina‘s aesthetic signature.

As on the other watches in the collection, here too we find alpha hands and applied, faceted hour markers. The colourful detail of the second hand’s counterweight, which is a deep red, stands out against the uniform colour of the watch. The monochrome effect is reinforced by the date disc, which is silver-toned to match the dial. The thin frame surrounding it is beautiful: it enhances it without altering the symmetry of the dial or the clean feel given by the bright silver colour.

ALPINA’S INTELLIGENT WATCHMAKING

The Alpiner Extreme Automatic Titanium case houses the AL-525 automatic movement, a calibre based on the Sellita SW200. Alpina has several good reasons for this choice: it allows the use of a movement already employed in other models, improving economies of scale; it keeps the final price down, unlike using an in-house calibre; and it provides a reliable and easy-to-maintain base.

The only weak point, if we want to find one, is the reduced power reserve of 38 hours. This is still a widely used standard but, in the market segment of the Alpiner Extreme Automatic Titanium, it is increasingly giving way to movements with better performance in terms of autonomy. As for reliability, however, there is no question about it.

Last but not least, we must mention the integrated bracelet, also made of titanium and very attractive. Like the case, it features an angular, tool watch design, with alternating H-shaped links and rectangular central links. Its aesthetics are only partially softened by the horizontal satin finish, which matches the mirror polish of the inner sides. Overall, its flexibility and reduced thickness make it comfortable to wear. The only drawback is the lack of micro-adjustment due to the butterfly clasp.

These are all details that are not form but substance, together with an intelligent commercial positioning in a market where prices are increasingly engaged in a mutual race upwards. This is why the Alpiner Extreme Automatic Titanium, with its 39 mm diameter, is now an interesting option in the category of sports watches with integrated bracelets. 

By Davide Passoni