Geneva Watch Days: Alpina’s New Alpiner Extreme and Heritage Models are Unexpected but Very Welcome

Last week, Alpina sprinkled a little Geneva Watch Days pixie dust on the new modern and edgy Alpiner Extreme piece and its latest classic and elegant Heritage Automatic models, taking them in some unexpected directions.

Let’s take a look at both, starting with the extreme makeover given to the Alpiner Extreme.

Ever since Alpina debuted the cushion-cased Alpiner Extreme line in 2022, both in steel automatic and unexpected steel regulator forms, we have witnessed the ongoing flexibility of this beefy-looking approach.
 

Collaborative customization? Check.
 

Dial color variants? You bet.
 

Skeletonization? A week ago, this answer would have been no. Now, following the brand’s release of the Alpiner Extreme Skeleton Automatic during Geneva Watch Days, the answer is a resounding yes!

Moreover, the new Alpiner Extreme Skeleton Automatic proves that the collection’s unmistakable case design can take very nicely to some classic haute horological élan.

Previously 41mm x 42.5mm, the Alpiner Extreme Skeleton Automatic’s now smaller 39mm x 40.5mm steel case sheds the collection’s tough guy mien to show off the AL-52 automatic movement from the dial side.
 

The sharp lines of the skeletonization are offset by the curves of the barrel spring, the details of the wheel train, and a subtle, more visible shift of the escapement. Moreover, the designers paid special attention to the real estate between 8 and 1 o’clock so it could let in more light and aid in the movement’s overall visibility.

If you look between 4 and 6 o’clock, you can see the large barrel responsible for the Alpiner Extreme Skeleton Automatic’s 38-hour power reserve. Meanwhile, the transparent caseback gives you yet more angles of the polished and satin-finished movement to appreciate.
 

Of course, sporty and skeleton are not mutually exclusive, but few models make the mix of a rugged watch genre and an haute horlogerie discipline look so effortless. More importantly, few brands are capable of making a skeletonized sports watch that actually looks like it’s meant to be worn during physical activity, yet Alpina pulls both off with aplomb.

Available in two versions, the first is a gleaming all-steel grey metallic version with the Extreme line’s distinctive h-link steel bracelet that will cost you CHF 2,695; the second is a steel version with navy blue detailing on the outer dial ring, crown grip, and textured rubber strap for CHF 2,395.
 

The new Alpina Alpiner Extreme Skeleton Automatic models will be available starting in October.

The brand also released two new Heritage Automatics models during Geneva Watch Week. As the latest additions to the brand’s Heritage collection, both models sport artfully sophisticated colorways that do not detract one whit from their vintage appeal.

The first model features an eye-catching but wonderfully legible, full-dial cream color with 12 Arabic numerals and an elegantly done railroad minute track along its edge.
 

The second version has a satin-finished metallic grey hour circle with a beige central dial sporting bronzish-red Arabic numerals at 12, 3, 6, and 9 o’clock (with bar indices for the rest) and a minute track along the dial’s edge.
 

Despite their differences, both models have a compact 38mm steel case with blued dauphine hands that play up the vintage vibe of these 1920s to 1940s-inspired Heritage Automatics. Moreover, both versions are powered by the vintage-inspired, 26-jewel AL-520 automatic movement with a 38-hour power reserve.
 

This unadulterated take on elegance is further amplified for both versions with a solid steel caseback, which is relatively, and surprisingly, unadorned (just the facts, ma’am): Brand logo, model name, 3-bar water resistance indicator, and serial number. This caseback minimalism is not only vintage-compliant, it is also coolly stylish.
 

Both of the new Heritage Automatic models list for CHF 1,695 and will be available for purchase in October. As always, you can learn more by visiting Alpina’s website.