Alpina Alpiner Extreme Automatic Freeride World Tour 2023 Watch Review
The Alpina Alpiner Extreme Automatic Freeride World Tour 2023 is the latest creation from the Geneva watch brand known for its love of altitudinous terrain. US-based journalist Meehna appraises the official tour watch and provides an insight into a perilous pursuit beloved by hardcore thrill-seekers.
Freeride World Tour
As the official timekeeper of the Freeride World Tour, Alpina has just debuted the Alpina Alpiner Extreme Automatic Freeride World Tour 2023. First off, what exactly is the Freeride World Tour (FWT)? It involves skiers and snowboarders racing down a mountain, but forget meticulously groomed resort trails for tourists. Black diamond runs for adrenalin-fuelled weekend warriors don’t even come close in comparison. These freeskiers and snowboard freeriders rocket down extreme terrain on untamed mountain slopes that would freeze the gears of a snowcat in terror.
Image – © D Daher
Bec des Rosses de Verbier
For the competition, the FWT seeks out the most heart-pumping extreme skiing and snowboarding locations for a five-stage competition across five countries, including Canada, Spain, Andorra, Austria and Switzerland. Those who survive the formidable slopes will face off in a finale that takes place between 25 March thru 2 April 2023 on what’s considered one of the toughest terrains on the globe: the Bec des Rosses de Verbier in Switzerland.
Alpina watches
This year, Alpina sponsors the event, building out an impressive, all-new site bedecked in the brand’s colours at the Bec des Rosses’s finish line. In addition, the brand has included a dedicated zone for fans to have an optimal view of the race. After all, what’s the fun if you can’t see these daredevils as they battle each other and the mountain on their descent for the grand prize.
Image – © J Bernard
When attempting to survive the elements on these formidable slopes, only the essentials are required. Anything more is a distraction that can take focus away from the task at hand and possibly end up with disastrous results. Just take a look at the ever-rotating roster of competitors. Many of the athletes who take on the challenge get sidelined with injuries.
Alpiner Extreme
For the hair-raising conditions of the FWT, you need equipment that can stand up to the elements, and that includes a watch. Not just any sport watch could survive the weather let alone the rough and tumble of vertical slopes, but Alpina was clearly up to the challenge, designing the Alpiner Extreme Automatic Freeride World Tour 2023.
Image – © D Daher
Alpina sports watches
While some sport watches show off with a variety of complications, the Alpiner Extreme Automatic FWT gets down to business. That’s why it’s pared down to the essentials: hours, minutes, seconds and date in a window at 3 o’clock. The automatic caliber is housed in a durable 41 x 42.5 mm stainless steel case that has some impressive heft. A sunbrush finish was chosen for the case to complement the inevitable bumps and bruises expected from a true tool watch. In this instance, those marks will add character and prove the watch’s bona fides.
Durability
For superior grip, especially when wearing bulky gloves, the crown, located in the traditional position of 3 o’clock, fits snugly in a rubber casing. The rubber theme continues to the strap, chosen for its durability and resistance to slips and extreme temperatures.
Alpina Alpiner Extreme Automatic Freeride World Tour 2023 dial
Let’s take a look at the dial. Bold and clean, it features a waffled texture with baton numerals encircling the face. Both the numerals and hands get a generous helping of lume for improved visibility, something necessary in blinding sunlight or peeking through the veil of a blizzard. The watch reveals its affiliation to the FWT with the sport’s red tour logo tucked in at 6 o’clock.
Alpina founded in 1883
In a nice subtle design element, the dial and seconds hand counterweight feature Alpina’s triangle logo in red as well, a reference to the Alpine summits. After all, the brand was founded 140 years ago by mountain climbers who needed a watch able to handle the punishing outdoor environment. You can be assured the Alpiner Extreme Automatic FWT 2023 is non-magnetic, waterproof, rustproof and shock absorbent.
Alpiner Extreme Automatic Freeride World Tour 2023 – closing remarks
While the Alpiner Extreme Automatic Freeride World Tour 2023 first and foremost was built for daring sportsmen, it has good looks that take it from steep slopes to terra firma with panache.
Further reading
Technical specification
- Model: Alpina Alpiner Extreme Automatic Freeride World Tour 2023
- Reference: AL-525FWT4AE6
- Case: stainless steel, dimensions 41 x 42.5 mm, height 11.50 mm, sapphire crystal to front and exhibition case back
- Functions: hours, minutes, centre seconds, date
- Movement: AL-525 caliber, self-winding movement, frequency 28,800 vph (4Hz), 26 jewels, power reserve 38 hours
- Strap: black rubber strap with folding buckle
- Price: €1,595 (RRP as of 8.3.2023)