Introducing: The Alpina × Fratello Alpiner Extreme Regulator
If a dog is a man’s best friend, can a watch be his second-best friend? What boxes would this watch need to tick? Well, let’s not idolize material goods quite to that degree. But still, having a watch that can confidently accompany you through everything life throws your way can certainly create a deep appreciation and strong connection with it.
We have been looking for a watch that can accompany the owner during daily activities, whether at home, at the office, or while out walking your best friend. But this watch should also be suitable for a ski trip or riding your mountain bike through the mud. In other words, we wanted to find a GADA (go anywhere, do anything) watch that suits those with a sporty lifestyle or the ambition to have one. Along with the team at Alpina, we came up with the answer! Meet the Alpina × Fratello Alpiner Extreme Regulator.
The Alpina × Fratello Alpiner Extreme Regulator — Leaning on the sporty side of GADA
Let’s face it: our daily lives have changed dramatically over the past five years. For many, the days of suiting up in the morning and heading into the office are gone. Working from anywhere is the new norm for many, whether that’s from home, your favorite coffee shop, or a nearby co-working space. Even before this new era that resulted from the pandemic, more casual office attire was already an ongoing trend thanks to the rise of tech companies that did away with traditional dress codes. That’s not to say that the suit is gone. Nowadays, though, it’s often a personal choice rather than a requirement, even when returning to the office.
One of the beneficiaries of this fashion trend was undoubtedly the GADA watch. Now, don’t get me wrong; I love seeing James Bond wear a dive watch with his tuxedo just as much as the next guy, but that’s Bond — James Bond. For mere mortals, this combination tends to look out of place. However, with society moving toward a more casual style, the sporty GADA watch truly has become the perfect wrist-worn companion. It elevates our casual-smart business look during the workday and has our backs with sturdy specs for everything we tackle in the afternoons and on the weekends. It works in two worlds.
We went looking for a watch that reflects this — one that has character without being too loud, that tastefully stands out, and that has your back in the most extreme situations while never looking out of place in daily life. You put it on your wrist, and come what may, it’s there for you. That watch is the Alpina × Fratello Alpiner Extreme Regulator.
Specs that make sense
A monochrome color scheme in charcoal and steel with our signature Fratello orange on the minute hand ensures this watch dresses up and down with ease. But there’s more to it than that. Being a regulator watch, the minute hand has enough space and visual weight from its color to ensure top-notch readability in every situation. You can read more about the regulator dial layout a bit further below.
This Alpina × Fratello Alpiner Extreme Regulator is a rugged watch with ditto specs, including a 200m depth rating, sapphire crystals, and a rock-solid automatic movement. We added our Dutch touch by using orange for the central hand on this regulator dial. Other than the dial layout, what I love about this watch is the satin-brushed finish on the bezel, case, and bracelet. The two pushers flanking Alpina’s logo on the bracelet open the butterfly clasp if you want to remove the watch or enjoy looking at the movement. With the case’s 41mm diameter, 49.5mm lug-to-lug, and 12mm thickness, the sporty Alpina × Fratello Alpiner Extreme Regulator sits nicely on my 18cm wrist, be it under shirt cuffs or with a T-shirt. It’s best for those with an 18cm wrist or larger and a desire for a sporty GADA watch. It’s also great for those who prefer wearing a big watch.
It’s a solid construction that’s rugged enough for your next adventure and sleek enough to be comfortable on your wrist when paired with your casual outfits.
A trusty caliber
Inside the case, you’ll find Alpina’s AL-650 movement, a modified Sellita SW461. It’s a self-winding caliber with a 4Hz (28,800vph) frequency and a 38-hour power reserve. You can admire the inner workings of the Alpiner Extreme Regulator via the transparent case back. The black rotor underlines the sporty character of the watch. This movement is a tried and tested workhorse that will serve you well. Plus, any competent watchmaker anywhere will be able to service it.
The uncommon and interesting regulator layout
One of my first (mechanical) watches had a regulator dial. In fact, it was one of the first wristwatches to have such a layout. I am talking about the Chronoswiss Régulateur, which my mother gifted me in the late 1990s. Gerd R. Lang, the brand’s founder, created the first serially produced wristwatch with a regulator layout in 1987. Before then, the regulator layout was mainly in clocks. The concept was to split the dial into different segments, with each function (hours, minutes, and seconds) having its place. This would maximize a precise dial readout, especially for the large central minute hand.
Often, regulator (or régulateur in watchmaking French) dials would be in the master clock in a workshop. Watch and clockmakers working there could use it as a reference for setting (and adjusting) the movements they were working on. Since the Chronoswiss Régulateur, other brands followed by creating a regulator watch, including Alpina! With the Alpiner Extreme Regulator, the brand has developed a sporty GADA watch that can easily be classified as more versatile than the leather-strapped dress piece my mother gifted me in the 1990s.
The Alpiner Extreme Regulator has a true régulateur layout, including a large orange central minute hand, a sub-dial at 10 o’clock for the hours, and the running seconds in a sub-dial at 6 o’clock. The bright orange hand will ensure a proper readout of the time with just a glance at the dial. There is no distracting date window here as the watch simply indicates the time, the most important thing we have in life. And since time is not going to wait for you, you’d better keep track of it properly.
Limitation and availability
The Alpina × Fratello Alpiner Extreme Regulator is a limited edition of 99 pieces, which will be available online for an exclusive two-week window starting right now in the Fratello Shop. The watch will cost €2,062 (ex. VAT).
Feel free to let us know what you think of our collaboration with Alpina. Could it indeed be the perfect wrist-worn companion? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
