Alpina is the watch for the adventurer who seeks thrilling sports on land, sea, and air. Established in 1883, this Swiss brand has retained its core philosophy of providing the best watches for extreme environmental conditions.
Its precise and sturdy timepieces, used by military aviators during World War I, are now highly-collectible editions that fetch good prices at auctions.
In 1926, Alpina was the first to issue an international watch guarantee, as a testament to its high standards and proved to be a great marketing tool to assure customers of value for money. As proof of the brand’s dominance of the watch market, it was sold by 2,000 dealers all over Europe.
It continued its successful run with the introduction of the legendary Alpina 4 in 1938, which is so-called because of its four features: antimagnetic, antishock, water-resistant, and protected by a robust case and a stainless steel bracelet.
The arrival of the game-changing timepiece became the preferred watch of professionals and sports-minded extreme adventurers, whose ethos is captured in its contemporary tagline “Reach Your Summit.”
In the late 1960s, it plunged into deep waters with the Alpina Diver 10 Seastrong, a professional diver’s watch with two crowns, with the other one for decompression time.
The brand was acquired by Frederique Constant in 2002 and reentered the market with a line of sports watches exhibited at the Baselworld International Watch fair the following year. A succession of strong editions followed, all catering to the extreme sports niche.
In 2006, Alpina moved unveiled the variant that would put them back on the map, the Avalanche Extreme, followed by similar models for various sports. But it would be another diver’s watch, though, that would bolster the brand’s resurgent image.
In celebration of World Ocean Day, the Swiss brand recently unveiled the Alpina Seastrong Diver Gyre Automatic in partnership with Gyre Watch, which uses earth-friendly recycled materials. It features a casing made of 70% plastic culled from the ocean and 30% fiberglass for reinforcement. Likewise, the two-tone NATO strap is composed of recycled plastic bottles.
With the Alpina Gyre, the brand encourages environmental sustainability and exploration of nature. It released a limited edition of 1,883 to mark the watchmaker’s founding year, with three men and two styles for women.
Apart from its environmental advocacy, it announced its partnership with the Geneva-based No Difference Association, which helps people with disabilities achieve their dreams, especially in sports.
Alpina remains anchored on its DNA of providing the best timepieces for extreme outdoor adventures and for people who love excellence, style, and precision despite changing times and ownerships.
Alpina Watches’s latest collection is available at SM City North Edsa North Towers Bridgeway, or visit Tempus stores at The Podium and SM Mall of Asia.
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Also read: Adrenalin Rush In PH: Top 10 Extreme Sports All Around The Philippines
