Alpina Avalanche Extreme Chrono Double Digit

The Swiss watchmaker Alpina has started selling its new Alpina Avalanche Extreme Chrono Double Digit automatic chronograph watch that, besides a chunky 46 mm case also offers you an unusually styled dial with the common hour numerals replaced with minute markers in “05″ — “60″ format.

The new Alpina Avalanche Extreme Chrono Double Digit chronograph watch is offered in two versions: black-on-black and black-and-red.

“Double Digit” here means that Alpina replaced normal hour markers with double-digit minute indicators (Praesto did the same feat with their Modern Fliegeruhr Aviator watch, but it is not available yet.)

With this kind of design, the Swiss brand puts an additional emphasis on its chronograph complication implicitly stating that the chronograph seconds hand, however thin it is, is more important here than the hour and minute hands.

Speaking of which, I must point out that the hour and minute hands are radically different on models with black-and-grey and black-and-red color schemes. While the first sports more or less normal hands filled with grey Superluminova, the second has both hands skeletonized, thus making the chronograph function even more visually important.

The watch comes in a rather large 46 mm stainless steel cushion-shaped body, which is available either untreated (Ref. AL-850BR4AE6) or in black PVD (Ref. AL-850BB4AE6) finish. Both versions feature the same black PVD bezel secured by six triangular-shaped stainless steel screws and come equipped with the same black rubber strap with the brand’s logo stamped on its front surface.

Like most current offerings, this one is powered by an ETA 2894-based caliber AL-850 with its rotor plated in black PVD.

The Swiss-based company wants €2500 for this piece of horological gadgetry.

Photos: Alpina Watches

Alpina Avalanche Extreme Chrono Double Digit chronograph watch specification

Price range: €2500
Movement: Caliber AL-850 based on ETA 2894, automatic
Complications: Date, chronograph
Power reserve: 42 hours
Case material: Stainless steel
Case shape: Round
Case size: 46 mm
Case height: 12.5 mm
Dial: Matte black
Hands: Skeletonized
Water resistance: 100 meters
Strap: Black rubber
Crystal: Sapphire