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MICRO MONDAYS: The Reiser Alpen is a sharp, octagonal sports watch that oozes 70s jet-set glamour MICRO MONDAYS: The Reiser Alpen is a sharp, octagonal sports watch that oozes 70s jet-set glamour

MICRO MONDAYS: The Reiser Alpen is a sharp, octagonal sports watch that oozes 70s jet-set glamour

Thor Svaboe

My mum always taught me honesty first, so YES, the fresh and new Reiser Alpen has some octagonal details, and does remind us of a grail watch or two. But I still see it as a refreshingly sharp design, not a homage as such. Strong credit is due in this department to Reiser, as it’s a brand that speaks its own language, and it’s one of extremely tempting 70s glamour.

To be octagonal with an integrated bracelet is not easy in this world of Gerald Genta deification, or should that be sports watch gentrification (sorry!), as we tend to focus on similarities. Instead the Alpen draws us in with its hypnotic reflection-twisting dials and bold colours.

William Wood Triumph

The debut microbrand Reiser with their Alpen, is a textbook example of how it is possible to design a mechanical wristwatch at a superb price point, with its own design integrity and still pluck those ’70s heartstrings.

The first thing you’ll notice is a rectangular interpretation of the classic integrated bracelet design we love, elongated into an angular cushion shape. The 41mm case is a slim 11.45mm in height, and should sit sleekly on the wrist thanks to dramatic angles on the lugless case ends, where a chunky h-link bracelet emerges.

For the price, the finishing of the case is superb, with a nice balance of decisive brushwork and polished bevels, both above, below and in sharp swathed angles toward the case ends, creating an elegant taper. With the majority of details being brushed, there is a suave sports edge to proceedings. I’m also getting distinct Piaget Polo vibes and that’s a big compliment.

The bezel is a flat, bold vertically brushed surface, picking up the case dynamic with its bevels that taper towards the case ends. This lends a sharp elegance to the bezel that underlines the rectangular shape, make it distinct from Genta offerings.

You might find these to be small details, but it shows a very mature design process behind Reiser, and it’s a perfect frame for the particular stamped guillochè dial. This has a vibrant geometrical pattern that plays with the light, in the centre of a Nautilus-esque rehaut with applied baton indices. This gives the Reiser Alpen a more contemporary feel, yet still reminding us of ’70s architectural decór, especially in the vibrant green version.

Both this and the super fresh mid blue are striking colours, and a bold move that appeals to a longing for a vibrant hues missing in the mainstream over the last few years (except for green). The black dial is the safer, more formal version, especially on its smooth leather strap, where it once again makes the Alpen seem to come from a much more established brand. I do particularly like the large, blunt sword skeletonized hands, bringing a tougher, more sporty touch to the references. There is something particularly sparkle-cool about the full-on 70S jet-set flavour of the rose gold PVD version with a black dial on the suave bracelet, Super-Luminova lighting up as you check the time.

The movement is the sturdy and accurate Seiko NH35, one of the reasons the Reiser Alpen makes it down to a very appealing price point starting at 499EUR on a leather strap – serious bang for your buck indeed. Reiser hails from Holland, but you will find a “Made In Germany” stamp on the dial. The reason? All the watches are assembled in Pforzheim by a family-owned watchmaking company, yet another reason for serious respect when looking at the appealing price tag. Personally, I feel the need for pure 70s glamour made real by that tempting gold PVD case.

The Reiser Alpen, price and availability:

The Reiser Alpen starts at 499 EUR on a leather for the steel version, 529 EUR on an integrated bracelet. The PVD gold version costs 539 EUR or 559 EUR.

For more details, visit Reiser right here.

Made in partnership with Reiser. However, the opinions expressed in this article are our own in accordance with our Editorial Policy.