Alpina harnesses the power of the Sun in the new Alpiner Extreme Solarmetre
Russell SheldrakeSolar-powered watches are nothing new. We have always been a big fan of them here at T+T, so much so that we decided to make our own with TAG Heuer recently. So when a new player enters the market in the form of Alpina with this new Alpiner Extreme Solarmetre, you know we had to check it out. While light-powered watches can come in many shapes and sizes, we love an adventurous timepiece that makes the most of being out in the elements, and that’s exactly what Alpina has done here, taking its most rugged design and seamlessly incorporating a solar movement inside. This is clearly a well-thought-through project from Alpina, so let’s dive into the details and shed some light on this adventure-ready watch.
The dial
The Alpiner Extreme Solarmetre’s dial is where the brilliance of this watch shines through. The dial is the most important element of any solar-powered watch as it lets the light through to power the solar cells beneath, and the early versions of these light-driven watches looked like you had a solar panel on your wrist, with that black, shiny surface taking centre stage, meaning you get very little choice in terms of design. But here, Alpina has managed to develop a dial that perfectly resembles its current Alpiner Extreme design, while still letting just enough light through to adequately power the watch.
The design that is retained is the triangular motif texture that we have seen across the rest of the Alpiner Extreme line, and here, with this model is available in burgundy, light green, light blue, navy blue, and white. The concept of a sports watch coming with a recognisable textured dial is something of a trope in the watch industry today, and one that Alpina is fully leaning into here. Of course, having such a wide variety of dial colours on releases is always a nice touch, as it means you are not left waiting to get the colour you actually want to have. The rest of the dial is left very practical, with applied markers filled with lume, including a triangular one at 12. A date window punctuates the dial at 3, with a minimal amount of text disrupting the rest of the dial.
The case
This is where that rugged element we mentioned at the top really comes into play. The cushion-shaped case is cast in brushed stainless steel in a three-part construction, allowing it to easily reach 100 metres of water resistance. The round bezel is clamped down to the middle of the case using screws that carry the triangle motif over from the dial to their heads. While this design of case often looks bulky, and can be quickly passed off as an oversized dive watch, this model actually only measures 37.5mm across and 10.19mm thick: true mid-sized dimensions that make this wearable on pretty much any wrist size.
Every design element of this case screams toughness. Whether it is the bumper on the side of the case band, or the solid crown protectors that rest on either side of the large knurled crown. The flat, wide lugs slope down to meet your wrist where the strap or bracelet attaches, ensuring a snug fit. A solid caseback finishes this watch off with all the appropriate information stamped in clear relief.
The movement
This is the truly new aspect of this watch for Alpina, the brand’s first solar movement, and they haven’t held back for their debut. The key metrics of a solar movement that you need to worry about are the time it takes to charge and how long it holds its charge once it reaches full power. And the AL-140 calibre doesn’t disappoint in those regards. You could keep this watch in a dark drawer, with no access to light whatsoever for 10 months, and if it had a full charge when it went in, it would be absolutely fine. Pull it out of that drawer once it stops working, and it only needs 10 seconds of light to start ticking again, and just one minute of exposure for it to last the whole day. And don’t worry, it can charge from natural and artificial light, so unless you find yourself down a coal mine for an extended period of time, this watch will keep ticking.
The strap
The strap you get with this watch depends on the dial colour that you choose. The burgundy and light green are available on a three-link metal bracelet, while the light blue, navy blue, and white come on matching rubber straps. I’m personally a big fan of it on the rubber strap; it feels more utilitarian, and I think it matches the rugged spirit of this watch.
The verdict
Adventure watches are supposed to be designed and built so that you can put them on and forget about them. You shouldn’t be worried if your watch is going to get scratched, nor should you be worried about it running out of power when you are halfway up a mountain. Which is why I think this is an excellent example of what an adventure watch should be. There is nothing to worry about when it comes to toughness, accuracy, or reliability with the Alpiner Extreme Solarmetre – it’s just a perfect companion for your next adventure. Now you just have to pick your dial colour…
Alpina Alpiner Extreme Solarmetre pricing and availability
The new Alpina Alpiner Extreme Solarmetre is available now. Price: €995 (rubber strap), €1,195 (bracelet)
| Brand | Alpina |
| Model | Alpiner Extreme Solarmetre |
| Case Dimensions | 37.5mm (D) x 10.19mm (T) |
| Case Material | Stainless steel |
| Water Resistance | 100 meters |
| Crystal(s) | Sapphire front |
| Dial | Burgundy, light green, light blue, navy blue or white |
| Strap | Matching rubber strap, pin buckle Three-link stainless steel bracelet, folding buckle |
| Movement | Calibre AL-140, solar quartz |
| Power Reserve | 10 months (without light |
| Functions | Hours, minutes, seconds, date |
| Availability | Now |
| Price | €995 (rubber strap) €1,195 (bracelet) |