Alpiner Extreme Quartz: outdoors, from the mountains to the sea

It’s perfectly possible for a watch to be good-looking, sexy, sporty – and quartz-powered. Somebody has to say it: even the most seasoned of collectors wear quartz watches when engaging in extreme pursuits or simply outdoor activities in general. That said, functionality is no excuse for sacrificing elegance. The new Alpiner Extreme Quartz is here to prove as much: with an ultra-compact diameter of 34 x 35.20mm, a diamond-set bezel and a turquoise strap matching the glacier blue hues of the dial, this beautiful timepiece is ready for any outdoor adventure off the beaten track, from Alpine lakes to sandy shores. Released in an ultra-limited edition of just 83 pieces (a nod to the year Alpina was founded, 1883), it boasts three exclusive features: a bespoke dial, two jewel-set bands on the bezel and a dedicated, matching rubber strap.

As the brand’s name suggests, Alpina originally hails from the Alps, and it’s most at home in the realms of mountains, lakes and the conquest of oceans and the air. Alpina has been a standard-bearer for sports watches since 1883, and indeed came up with their defining characteristics: anti-shock, anti-magnetic, water-resistant, and made of stainless steel – ready to face any challenge. And that was only the beginning: contemporary watchmaking has gradually enriched the formula with new ingredients including styling, sophistication, and inclusiveness.

All this adds up to the new Alpiner Extreme Quartz, the culmination of over 140 years of history. The piece offers a new take on multifaceted elegance for today that will appeal to those in search of a watch that’s decidedly cool and in step with the times, chic and sophisticated, and ready for adventure as well.

Destined for these modern-day explorers, the watch comes in a brand-new format designed just a few months ago: a cushion-shaped case measuring 34 x 35.20mm. Its assertive, compact lines are perfect for even the smallest of wrists, in a format that’s ideal for showing off bare-armed – or have peeking out from under a shirt or blouse in more formal settings. Its multipurpose design makes it perfect for any occasion, from the city to the Alpine slopes and from the office to far-flung shores.

The timepiece’s externals are redolent with the promise of unexplored territory, too. The dial offers an expanse of regular, gentle highlights in shades of blue and turquoise recalling the mountain glaciers native to Alpina’s natural habitat – a palette that marks a first for Alpina, forming the backdrop for the luminous hands and hour markers. The solid steel caseback engraved with the Alpina logo is guaranteed water resistant to depths of 100m (equivalent to 10atm). At six o’clock, an understated date window makes a discreet appearance in the glacier blue decorating the lively and distinctive dial.

The bezel, meanwhile, is clad with two rows of diamonds. This is another first for Alpina: no other Alpiner in the current collection has a jewel setting like it. Six screws emerge from this precious bezel, their triangular heads a nod to the alpine summits from which the brand draws inspiration; the seconds hand counterweight also bears a similar triangular motif.

The new Alpiner Extreme Quartz sports another exclusive feature, too: a textured rubber strap especially designed to match one of the three hues on the dial. Done out in a radiant shade of turquoise and finished off with a deployment clasp, it fulfils the task of providing 45 months of fun outdoors effectively and in style – 45 months being the battery life of the piece’s AL-220 movement, designed to withstand extreme environments.