Keeping it simple with the Alpina Alpiner Quartz

As I mentioned in the Alpina Seastrong Diver Heritage overview article there is another segment of the Alpina catalog that speak more to me, specifically the Alpiner 4 (both in GMT and non-GMT forms). I’ve reviewed several of those and they’ve been lovely mechanical watches. Some may not want the maintenance of mechanical movement, or just look to save a few bucks. For those, then the Alpina Alpiner Quartz may be a viable option. Recently, we spent some time with the watch and can give you our take on the piece.

Obviously, the Alpina Alpiner Quartz is driven by a quartz movement. While it’s ticking away for up to 45 months, you’ll have it tracking the hours, minutes, and seconds, as well as the date. And of course, since it’s quartz, it’ll keep itself on time whether or not you’re wearing the piece. That said, I could easily see the watch being one that someone would wear every day. This is one way that the Alpiner collection really shines, and the Alpina Alpiner Quartz keeps that right on up.

Let’s start with the case. While the steel case of the Alpina Alpiner Quartz comes in at a thoroughly modern 42mm, it’s a surprisingly thin 9.4mm (another nice benefit of a quartz). This case is then treated to alternating brushed and polished finishes, which gives the watch the flexibility to be suited up or go a more casual route. Our loaner – with the stunning blue dial – was paired to a light brown leather strap, which definitely feels more casual. Get it on the bracelet, though, definitely could dress it up. Or, opt for the black dial version (and a darker strap) and again you’ve got that flexibility.

The dial of the Alpina Alpiner Quartz keeps things going, with lumed and highly-polished indices over the sunday dial, and paired with the polished (and lumed as well) hands. One on hand, it sounds like a relatively simple watch, and I suppose that it is . But that, paired with the surface finishes – and the overall look – really makes the watch greater than the sum of it’s parts. Sure, I may be biased (with aforementioned affinity for the Alpiner lineup), but I’ve yet to talk with someone about watches who had a negative opinion of the brand.

With pricing of the Alpina Alpiner Quartz coming in at $795 on the strap or $895 on the bracelet, the watch is still in the affordable range, but perhaps not an impulse buy. This is the sort of watch I could see you picking up (for yourself or as a gift) for someone just starting out after graduating, and looking for a nice-looking watch that isn’t too fancy for every day wear, and will likely be worn all-but-daily as they live life. And any Alpina Alpiner should be up to that challenge. Don’t let the quartz movement scare you off – saving a few bucks (and millimeters on the case height) isn’t anything to sneeze at. And frankly, when it’s hidden away under this attractive of a watch, most folks probably won’t mind one whit. AlpinaWatches.com

Review Summary

Brand & Model: Alpina Alpiner Quartz

Price: $795 (on leather) / $895 (on bracelet)
Who’s it for? Like me, you’re a fan of the Alpiner lineup, but want the grab-and-go simplicity of a quartz-driven watch. Past that, this would be a solid choice for someone who wants “one nice watch” to cover them every day, all day.
Would I wear it? Indeed, particularly in this blue dial variant (Alpina does a rather nice job with their blue hues)

What I’d change: Pull in the date window-mounted magnifier that some other Alpina models have
The best thing about it: The overall look and feel of the watch. It just seems ready for anything, and with the alternating case finishes, it should be a chameleon for a variety of situations.