Alpina Alpiner 4 Review

The heritage of some timepieces is deeply intertwined with the history of watchmaking. For enthusiasts who find this aspect appealing, the allure transcends simple resale value or technical prowess. If this resonates with you, the Alpina Alpiner 4 might be worth your attention.

Gottlieb Hauser, the founder of Alpina, introduced the “Alpina 4” concept in 1938, emphasizing four key features: anti-magnetism, shock resistance, water resistance, and the use of stainless steel. These principles were pioneering at the time and are believed to have significantly influenced the development of modern sports watches. The Alpiner 4 adheres to these original principles, presenting a unique blend of sporty functionality and everyday elegance.

The watch is designed for versatility, merging outdoor ruggedness with an aesthetic suitable for the workplace. Its features include a bi-directional rotating bezel for timing, a screw-down crown, 100 meters of water resistance, an incabloc shock system, and a sapphire crystal, combining durability with practicality.

There is a nice substantial feel to the Alpiner 4, partly due to its protection against magnetism and its meticulously engraved solid case back. Despite its heft, it remains comfortable to wear, even on a leather strap. The watch’s design is particularly striking, with a distinct Glacier Blue hue that closely resembles Prussian Blue, creating an eye-catching effect against the sunbeam dial. The case boasts precise craftsmanship, featuring contrasting finishes and a prominently grippable crown embossed with the Alpina logo.

The overall design achieves a harmonious balance with its blue dial, satin-finished bezel, and brown leather strap, enhancing wrist presence. The dial, effective in low light due to high-contrast Super-LumiNova on the indices, lends a sophisticated air suitable for office settings, though perhaps not formal enough for a suit.

Additional design details include a silver second hand with a red Alpina logo triangle and thematic elements reflecting the brand’s core principles. The size is notable at 44mm with 22mm lugs, which may vary in comfort depending on individual wrist size. Powered by the AL 525 movement, a variant of the Sellita SW-200, the watch underscores Alpina’s technical capability, also noted by their development of in-house movements and patented mechanisms. Overall this is a beautiful watch that you wont regret adding to the collection.