ReviewBridges Of Time: The Alpina Alpiner Extreme Skeleton Automatic

With over 130 years of watchmaking history, Swiss watchmaker Alpina is synonymous with quality, durability, precision, and quintessential designs. When Alpina’s founder Gottlieb Hauser introduced the ‘Alpina 4’ concept in the 1930s, it paved the way for an avant-garde sports watch ideal for adventurers, engineers, and technicians. Hauser listed four guiding principles—anti-magnetic, anti-shock, water-resistant, and stainless steel. Even after nearly a century, this core DNA is reflected in Alpina’s Alpiner collection, home to some of the sturdiest watches with time and date references, chronograph, and regulator complications. The Alpina Alpiner Extreme series emerged from the brand’s constant development in the sports watch segment. Two decades ago, the brand debuted their ‘Alpiner Extreme’ case design. It was a large case profile now streamlined for a more integrated look. Wearing this new, improved case is the Alpiner Extreme Skeleton Automatic. This slightly smaller version with a sleek monochromatic look measures 39mm in diameter and runs on a high-frequency automatic movement that enables hours, minutes, and seconds functions.

Open-worked In High-Octane Style: The Alpiner Extreme Skeleton Automatic

The Alpina Alpiner Extreme Skeleton Automatic packs a powerful appearance, showcased by its open-worked dial inside the brushed and polished 316L stainless steel case. With this combination, the watch features a tone-on-tone, minimalist sheen. The Alpine Extreme references, including the Alpiner Extreme Automatic and Alpiner Extreme Chronograph Automatic, are known for their substantial 41mm cases, but that changes with the Alpiner Extreme Skeleton Automatic, measuring 39mm in diameter and 40.5mm in length, with a height of 11.5mm.

The case is constructed in three parts and has a slightly elevated round bezel with six exposed screws that show the Alpina triangle symbol. The crown is protected by the guards and this whole execution ensures up to 200m water resistance. The left flank of the case has an elongated safeguard, mirroring the crown guards. This design element not only offers a symmetrical look but also protects the engine inside from sudden shocks.

With brushed and polished finishes, the Alpina Alpiner Extreme Skeleton Automatic features a tone-on-tone, minimalist sheen

Visible through the caseback, the reworked engine of the Alpiner Extreme Skeleton Automatic features a black rotor, delivering a 38-hour power reserve

Alpina Alpiner Shop the Collection

The understated finish of the case meets the polished bevels, screws, and crowns for a subtle contrast. The grey watch is flanked by an integrated steel bracelet that blends well with the finishes on the case. The Alpiner Extreme Skeleton Automatic is still an Alpiner watch, but it’s a lot different. For instance, in place of the signature triangle-patterned dials of the Alpiner Extreme, the Extreme Skeleton Automatic features an open-worked design, revealing a Swiss automatic movement beating inside. And, peeking from the complex open-worked bridges are the movement’s prominent components, like the mainspring and escapement.

Alpina have tastefully executed the look, as evident in the overall composition that includes matt-grained finish for the flange, polish for the indexes and hands filled with a luminescent material, not to mention vertical brushing for the open-worked bridges. The red triangle tip of the central seconds hand adds a splash of colour to the monochromatic aesthetic of the watch.

The Alpina Alpiner Extreme Regulator Automatic is a 41mm complication watch packed inside a steel case that is paired with a blue rubber strap

₹2,04,500

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The Alpina Alpiner Extreme Chronograph Automatic comes housed in a 41mm steel case and features functions like chronograph, date, and small seconds

₹2,84,000

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The Alpina Alpiner Extreme Automatic is a substantial 41mm timepiece wearing a steel body and packing a classic blue dial with baton indexes

₹1,90,000

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A High-frequency Movement

The Alpiner Extreme Skeleton Automatic is powered by the automatic calibre AL-520. The skeletonised movement is built on the Sellita SW200. Visible through the sapphire crystal on the screwed-down caseback, the reworked engine now features a black rotor, beating at 28,800vph and delivering a 38-hour power reserve.

The Alpiner Extreme Skeleton Automatic testifies to Alpina’s time-honoured watchmaking codes. As robust and resilient as the Alpiner collection, the Extreme Skeleton Automatic is built to withstand the most demanding conditions, with its open-worked framework leaving a tinge of intrigue.

The Alpina Alpiner Extreme Skeleton Automatic features an open-worked design in matt, revealing a Swiss automatic movement beating inside

The Alpina Alpiner Extreme Skeleton Automatic In A Nutshell

• Case: 316L stainless steel; 39mm diameter, 11.5mm height; six exposed screws on bezel; crown with guards
• Movement: AL-520 automatic (base SW200); 28,800vph frequency; up to 38 hours power reserve
• Functions & display: Matt grey open-worked dial; hours and minutes hands, and red triangle tip of the central seconds hand; brushed polish on case, dial’s bridges, bezel, and bracelet; up to 200m water resistance
• Bracelet: Stainless steel with folding buckle and push buttons

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