Earlier this year, independent Geneva-based Alpina set its sights on the high seas when it announced its sponsorship of a Swan 80 that was to participate in various yacht regattas in the Mediterranean.
As a result, the Alpina Swan recently raced in the Palmavella, Loro Piani and Giraglia regattas and later this year will compete in the Violes des St. Tropez and the Middle Sea Race.
In addition to the Alpina Swan 80 partnership, the sbrand recently served as the official watch sponsor of Extreme Sailing Series Team Niceforyou, skippered by Alberto Barovier, winner of the 2010 America’s Cup on board the trimaran BMW Oracle Racing.
It was the brand’s experience with the Extreme 40 Catamaran that inspired it to develop the Alpina Sailing Collection, a collection of sea-inspired models with each limited-edition piece delivered in a special presentation box alongside a miniature wooden reproduction of the Alpina Catamaran.
Off the Pier
The star of the Sailing Collection is undoubtedly the Extreme Sailing watch, an automatic chronograph with innovative regatta start function featuring easy-to-read colored countdown timing discs that show through the dial. Alpina developed this regatta caliber AL-880 in-house, based on the Sellita SW500 chronograph movement.
The watch’s 45mm stainless steel case gives it a strong presence on the wrist but at just 13mm thick, it is comfortable and easy to wear. A unidirectional rotating bezel and ensured water resistance to 300 meters make it the ideal sailing companion and a sapphire crystal exhibition caseback reveals the automatic movement within.
In addition to the regatta version, Alpina also offers an automatic model with thee hands and a date window featuring a similar case and dial design. All Alpina Sailing models are available on a sporty rubber strap, metal bracelet or metal mesh bracelet.
New Diver too
Alpina further enhanced its maritime presence this year when it unveiled its newest dive model, the Extreme Diver.
“The new Alpina Extreme Diver is that ideal accessory which combines the elements of diving while delivering a bold, athletic, cool-factor that’s completely unrivalled,” said actor William Baldwin, the face of the brand’s 2012 advertising campaign, unveiling the latest model of the firm’s Diver Watches collection.
The Extreme Diver’s bold 48mm stainless steel case has all the makings of a true dive watch: unidirectional rotating bezel, luminous accents on the easy-to-read dial, and ensured water resistance to 300 meters.
Added features include a scratch-resistant sapphire crystal and extendable wrist straps that fit easily over a wetsuit. The automatic AL-25 movement ensures optimal performance and is equipped with a 42-hour power reserve.
