Alpina, founded in 1883, steps into solar with the Alpiner Extreme Solarmetre. It is the brand’s first solar-powered collection, and it arrives with a calm promise rather than fireworks. Light in, time out. For an outdoor watch, that feels like common sense dressed in steel.
The headline is autonomy. Expose the dial to natural or artificial light and the battery charges. Once full, it takes around 10 consecutive months of darkness to run it down. Pull the crown and power reserve stretches to as much as four years. No drama, just less worry about a forgotten windowsill.
The watch stays within the Alpiner Extreme family in stance and purpose. Robust case, ready for the hills rather than the gala. Inside is the AL-140 movement, developed for Alpina by La Joux-Perret. The partnership signals a serious technical intent behind the quiet practicality.
On the dial, technology yields to texture. A fine triangular pattern nods to Alpina’s historic emblem. Legibility is handled by luminescent hands and indexes, with a date at 3 o’clock. Nothing showy, nothing missing. It reads like good toolkit design.
The collection is broad enough to feel considered. Five dial tones. Deep burgundy and mint green arrive on a steel bracelet. Three others come on textured rubber that echoes the dial motif. Light and navy blue dials pair with matching integrated straps. The white dial meets a black strap for contrast that is clean and direct.
There is a pleasing restraint to the whole proposition. A purpose-built case, a movement made for the task, and energy taken from the one resource every hiker carries by default. It is not about complication for its own sake. It is about a watch that works as long as the day does. In my book, that is real luxury.
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