Alpina Releases The New Alpiner Extreme Regulator At Geneva Watch Days 2022
Alpina shows us the Alpiner Extreme Regulator at the 2022 edition of Geneva Watch Days. This watch marks the rebirth of a flagship model from 2005. While the original was a 48mm monster, the new version is a lot more subtle. It is smaller and fitted with some refined details. Don’t be fooled, though. It did not get soft.
The Alpiner Extreme Regulator is still a hard-as-nails bit of kit, just in a more manageable form factor. Let’s have a look at this updated release from Alpina in its 7mm-smaller(!) guise
The Alpiner Extreme Regulator — A do-all-sports watch
Yes, we love to write about do-it-all watches at Fratello. This is not such a watch. It is, however, a do-all-sports kind of watch. While Alpina may market it primarily toward mountaineers, its build and water resistance make it feel right for any sport or outdoor activity.
You may associate a regulator with more dressy watches. However, the separated display of hours, minutes, and seconds was originally just intended to improve precise readability. And that is great for a tool watch. The concept of a regulator sports watch indeed works quite well, then.
The case design and rubber strap leave no doubt as to the nature of the Alpiner Extreme Regulator. This one is for the weekends rather than the boardroom.
Design of the Alpiner Extreme Regulator
The Alpiner Extreme Regulator is the spiritual successor to the 2005 Avalanche Extreme Regulator. That watch came in at 48mm excluding the crown. This one — I am happy to report — measures a more practical 41mm. Otherwise, a lot of the DNA is still visible here.
We still get a cushion case, rubberized crown, bezel with triangle screws, broad lugs, and sub-dials at six and ten. There are a lot of refinements here, though. The dial features a deeper triangular pattern, symbolizing the Swiss Alps. The bezel screws have become more subtle, and the hour markers have gotten longer with more lume.
The use of color is well done. We get a dark denim-blue chapter ring, sub-dials, crown rubber, and strap. The tone contrasts the stainless steel and anthracite dial beautifully. It is a serious but stylish combination.
Specs
The Alpina Alpiner Extreme Regulator is fitted with an automatic AL-650 caliber. It ticks away at 28,800vph and has a 38-hour power reserve. The AL-650 features a central minute hand, seconds at six, and hour display at ten. It’s worth noting that the original AL-650 found in the first Avalanche Extreme Regulator (and the caliber still pictured on Alpina’s website) was a manually wound movement based on the Unitas/ETA 6498. In the last few years, Alpina switched to an automatic Sellita base but evidently decided to keep the caliber designation the same.
As mentioned, the case measures 41mm across, excluding the crown. The watch is 12mm thick, which is nice and slender for a sports watch like this. The three-part steel case is fitted with a sapphire crystal and a display case back. Both the crown and the case back screw down to offer 200 meters of water resistance.
The rubber strap is fitted with a very nicely finished double-pushbutton deployant clasp. The strap is patterned and color-matched to the dial details. Considering the broad lugs, you will not be able to fit generic straps. It makes us wonder if a semi-integrated bracelet might be underway.
Closing thoughts
The Alpiner Extreme Regulator is a very cool piece if you are looking for a sports watch that is off the beaten path. Alpina is not the first watch brand that springs to mind for most people, making it an original choice in any case. To pick this regulator as your tool of choice is even more original.
Alpina has succeeded in updating the original design to suit 2022. The Alpiner Extreme Regulator looks fresh and current. When I squint, it reminds me ever-so-slightly of the Panerai Submersible, but it is most certainly plenty original.
If this is where Alpina is headed, we are excited to see the brand’s future releases!
Pricing and availability
The Alpina Alpiner Extreme Regulator is priced at €1,950. It is limited to 888 pieces. For more information, visit the official Alpina website.
