Frederique Constant Tourbillon
Frederique Constant Tourbillon
I was able to spend the most time with the new Extreme Diver Automatic 300M Orange. This is essentially the same model that Ariel reviewed in depth here but with some additional color thrown in as well as new hands. It still doesn’t have a serious tool watch vibe to it but it is perfectly at home lounging around on a tropical island, hanging out on yachts, and playing in the water… which is excellent because that is exactly what I planned on doing with it. Alpina brand ambassador William Baldwin spoke at the event but as an added bonus to anyone who purchased an Alpina or Frederique Constant that night was then invited to join Baldwin and the Alpina team in the Caribbean waters the following day.
Alpina Extreme Diver 300 Orange
Alpina Extreme Diver 300 Orange
Baldwin proved an excellent brand ambassador while speaking to the crowd on history and the inherent heirloom quality of well-made watches, something quite fitting given Alpina’s 130th anniversary and clear emphasis on “heritage” models. I’ll admit a certain amount of favorable bias towards Baldwin’s speech due to multiple name drops throughout but the sentiment is valid and one of the reasons I do love timepieces.
Alpina brand ambassador William Baldwin
The following day new Alpina owners met the brand at the Camina Bay docks to enjoy what Grand Cayman had to offer by boat, in this case a privately chartered yacht. Ralph Simons had to remain on dry land and work while Guido Benedini and Michael Stauber were joined by William Baldwin and Chynna Phillips for the tropical blue waters.
Stingray City, Grand Cayman
The first stop at famed Stingray City proved to be an eventful one. The shallow sandbars are a famous tourist attraction due to the large number of friendly stingrays that congregate in the area. Guests of Alpina enjoyed the clear water and inquisitive stingrays while Baldwin took a number of promotional photos with hired photographers.
Things got far more interesting as infamous loner “Stinky” the dolphin appeared to join in on the fun. Do a YouTube search, you won’t be disappointed. Stinky swam around and chased after the numerous stingrays until brushing up against Baldwin and charging after him. The dolphin was blocked and redirected while Baldwin returned to the boat but it was definitely a bit too close for comfort. The rest of the day was spent jumping off the boat, swimming, and riding jets skis while the sun set over the island. A day spent like that is perfect for the Alpina Extreme Diver.
Alpina Extreme Diver 300 Orange
Alpina Extreme Diver 300 Orange and Stingrays
Alpina has gained a lot of respect and popularity since their modern re-launch. If they continue along their current path we are sure to see much more from them in the years to come. Few Swiss brands can offer this quality at such affordable prices. They are definitely a brand to watch as they grow. alpina-watches.com
