The Alpina Alpiner Extreme Collection Now With Integrated Steel Bracelet

2023 marks the 140^th anniversary of Swiss watchmaker Alpina. It’s also the first year that the brand is attending Watches and Wonders, so it’s bringing some upgraded Alpiner Extreme models that slot into the always popular integrated sports watch category. Alpina is known for rugged sports watches and two recent models now sport integrated steel bracelets, a first for the brand. The Alpiner Extreme Regulator follows the giant 48mm Avalanche Regulator from 2005 and still large 45mm variant from 2020, but now has a more wearable 41mm x 42.5mm cushion case. The more classic Alpiner Extreme Automatic has the same proportions (although a hair thinner) and both models were introduced last year.

There are three different watches coming with the integrated bracelet – one Regulator with a blue dial and grey sub-dials and two Automatics with either a grey or blue dial. A second Regulator with a black dial only comes on a rubber strap. The stainless steel cushion cases are certainly bold and outdoorsy with rugged lines and six exposed screws on the bezel. The guarded, screw-down crown features a dial-matching rubber insert and water resistance is rated at 200 metres on all models. The 3-part cushion cases are brushed and polished, and both are 41mm x 42.5mm, although the Regulator is 12mm in height while the Automatic is 11.5mm in height. All models have AR sapphire crystals and exhibition case backs. 

The dials feature a distinctive triangle pattern, but the layouts are very different. The Regulator has separated registers with the hours at 10 o’clock, central minutes and small seconds at 6 o’clock. The Automatic model has conventional central hands with a date window at 3 o’clock. The seconds hand features Alpina’s red logo as a counterweight. As mentioned, the Regulator has a blue dial with grey sun-brushed sub-dials, while the Automatic comes with a grey or blue dial. The applied indices and hands on both dials have Super-LumiNova. 

The Regulator comes with Alpina’s AL-650 automatic calibre (Sellita SW461-1) with 31 jewels, 28,800vph (4Hz) and a 38-hour power reserve. The Automatic has the AL-525 automatic (SW200-1) with the same specifications, but drops to 26 jewels. Functions include hours, minutes and seconds with a date on the Automatic.  

The Regulator is a limited edition with only 888 pieces and will retail for EUR 2,450. The two Automatics are not limited and will retail for EUR 1,995. For more information, please visit Alpina’s website.