

In the midst of the most crowded field of integrated bracelet sports watches in the history of the industry, this red-hot market segment nevertheless has a narrow spot. While there’s no shortage of entry-level options, and high-end choices are plentiful, the $1,000 to $5,000 range is surprisingly sparse. Among the available options at this mid-range price point, however, Alpina stands as a genuine dark horse contender. For 2025, however, the brand looks to extend past its cult-favorite status to develop a true integrated crowd pleaser, and the latest iteration in the Alpiner Extreme line may well be up to the task. The new Alpina Alpiner Extreme Automatic Titanium 39mm combines lighter materials with a more balanced, compact case design, creating a sporty, aggressive concept that nonetheless feels at home in today’s smaller, more demure design environment.
While the overall case design of the Alpina Alpiner Extreme Automatic Titanium 39mm is in line with the rest of the Alpiner Extreme family, the smaller diameter and lighter material markedly shifts the wearing experience. Like its 41mm siblings, the 39mm wide overall form is a textbook example of “small watch, big presence”. Visually, the squarish, flat-planed case design takes up a solid amount of real estate on the wrist. However, a short 40.5mm lug-to-lug length and a moderate 11.5mm overall thickness split between no less than four distinct layers makes this flat, wide shape feel trim and compact on my 6.75-inch wrist. As the name suggests, this new model abandons stainless steel construction in favor of titanium, but the lighter-hued alloy Alpina uses here looks nigh-on identical. Instead, it’s the lower overall weight that stands out during wear. True to the idea of the Alpiner Extreme as a go-anywhere, do-anything all-purpose integrated sports watch, this new variant is breezy and comfortable on the wrist (and if its larger cousins are anything to go by, it should be genuinely tough as nails). While the layered, vaguely Hublot-esque shape is broadly carried over from previous Alpiner Extremes, the smaller dimensions also give this version a tighter, less dial-centric appearance. For example, both the case side flanges and the distinctive six-screw bezel feeling more prominent overall. Where the real case design changes, however, is the caseback. Rather than the 41mm model’s sapphire display window, Alpina opts for a solid engraved design here. While losing a display back is bound to be controversial, Alpina’s workmanlike movement finishing makes this a visual improvement overall. The engraving itself features a stylized mountain design, and is handsomely executed with crisp edges and a solid blend between polished upper surfaces and matte blasted recesses. Like previous versions, this model is rated for a beefy 200 meters of water resistance despite its complex sandwich case construction.
Like the case, the dial of the Alpina Alpiner Extreme Automatic Titanium 39mm largely follows the pattern of previous iterations. While the reworked proportions do give the design less of an open, airy feel on the wrist, the change in overall proportions is rather minimal. Instead, the real shift in on-wrist feel here is the dial color. Alpina’s use of a bright, cool silver sunburst throws the stamped triangular dial texture into sharper relief than ever before, creating a series of stark, monochromatic peaks and shadows at nearly any viewing angle. The understated sunburst finish lets the physical pattern take center stage visually, but this secondary texture does add even more visual depth. As with its stablemates, Alpina pairs this dial with a set of blunted alpha hands and tapering beveled indices. The dial-matching framed silver date display at 3 o’clock is a thoughtfully executed touch as well, adding useful functionality without disrupting dial symmetry too much. While dial text is kept to a minimum, Alpina does add one small highlight here with a deep red seconds hand counterweight. Against the otherwise colorless backdrop, it adds just a hint of character, but remains balanced and well-integrated.
Inside the Alpina Alpiner Extreme Automatic Titanium 39mm beats the AL-525 automatic movement. Based on the familiar Sellita SW200, the AL-525 is a reliable, easy-to-service platform, but it’s difficult to deny that its performance is aging in today’s watch market. With a middling 38 hour power reserve at a 28,800 bph beat rate, this powerplant might be easy to live with long-term, but its market segment is gradually filling up with more capable in-house movement options. Of course, no integrated sports watch is complete without a distinctive bracelet, and Alpina equips the Alpiner Extreme Automatic Titanium 39mm with a suitably sharp and aggressive pairing. Like the case, this titanium H-link bracelet is hard-edged and planar, with broad linear-brushed surfaces broken up by slim mirror-polished chamfers on the link edges and rectangular center links. Although the butterfly-style clasp does not allow for micro-adjustment, the available half-links make a reasonably comfortable fit achievable for most wrists. Fitment aside, this is also a remarkably comfortable bracelet for long wear, with slim links and a lightweight, flexible construction.
Although there are more integrated bracelet sports watches available these days than ever before, the mid-range of the market between $1,000 and $5,000 remains a relatively quiet field. With its refinements to the brand’s formula, the new Alpina Alpiner Extreme Automatic Titanium 39mm appears set to lead this market segment, featuring enough sharp design, rugged construction, and balanced wearability to make it a winner for much of the community. The Alpina Alpiner Extreme Automatic Titanium 39mm is available now through authorized dealers. MSRP for this watch stands at $2,695 USD as of press time. For more information, please visit the brand’s website.