Alpina Alpiner Extreme Chronograph: White and blue in panda style

Posted by lifata on December 14th, 2023

Date and stop function are the most popular additional functions that a replica watch info can offer. Accordingly, Alpina also relies on the practical additional function of a central chronograph second hand in the Alpina Alpiner Extreme Chronograph models, which, in conjunction with the classically arranged sub-dials of a 30-minute display at 3 o'clock and a 12-hour display at 6 o'clock, allows shorter and longer stopping processes without any problems mastered. Especially since the permanent seconds at 9 o'clock, recognizable by the somewhat unusual indices of 20, 40 and 60 seconds, also shows the progression of the seconds during the stopping process. But that doesn't mean that the Alpiner Extreme chronographs have to do without a date due to the totalizer scales. Rather, this window display is placed between 4 and 5 o'clock.

With the chronographs now presented, Alpina complements the Alpina Alpiner Extreme automatic models presented at the Geneva Watch Days in August 2022, which are functionally limited to hours, minutes, seconds and date. These watches, with their screwed bezel and cushion-shaped case as well as the striking dial decorated with small embossed Alpina logos, gave an idea of the sporting spirit of Alpina founder Gottlieb Hauser. But watches with a chronograph function are definitely sportier - especially if, as in the case of the Alpiner Extreme Chronographs, they have subdials in contrasting colors.

The water resistance of the 41 mm large and 14.3 mm high steel case also serves for sporty handling above and under water. It is up to 100 meters deep and allows you to swim with the watch on your wrist. The water resistance is not limited by the sapphire crystal back, which reveals the black rotor of the automatic AL-730 caliber with the Alpina logo. The AL-730 caliber is based on the Sellita chronograph caliber SW510. The 4 Hz caliber with Glucydur balance wheel (beautifully explained here on Uhrenkosmos) measures hours, minutes, seconds, shows the date and also drives the chronograph unit with 30 minutes and 12 hour counting.

If the chronograph is not used frequently, the power autonomy is up to 62 hours. It goes without saying that these steel Alpina timepieces are built to be anti-magnetic and shockproof according to the standard, as these attributes have always been one of the defining characteristics of Alpina fake watches. For reasons of sportiness, the crown also has side protection on the right and left, or the crown has been provided with a rubber coating for better grip.

The design of the dials is also about this sportiness and the sporty look. These are available in either a silvery-white or navy-blue color and have the aforementioned surface embossed with fine Alpina logos. The subdials are contrasting, in the so-called panda style. The blue Alpina Alpiner Extreme Chronograph has white subdials and the silvery-white chronograph has black subdials.

To avoid reflections, all totalizer surfaces are provided with fine grooves that refract the light and give the surfaces structure. Also worth mentioning is the fact that Alpina not only provides the hour and minute hands, but also the hands of the totalizer scales with Super-LumiNova luminous material. The question arises as to why the second hand of the chronograph only has a red Alpina logo in the center, at the end of the hand, and why it appears to have been omitted from the luminous material. But that doesn't detract from the visually successful design of the chronograph.

The Alpina Alpiner Extreme chronographs are delivered with an integrated steel bracelet and folding clasp, which is protected from unintentional opening by two side pushers. The steel bracelet and the case have brushed surfaces that harmonize well with the striking structures of the panda dials.