The Alpina Extreme Solarmetre x Route du Rhum – Destination Guadeloupe AL-140BT3AE6 is a Swiss solar-powered sports watch made to celebrate one of sailing’s great solo ocean races. Alpina is the Official Timekeeper – Destination Guadeloupe of the 13th Route du Rhum, the single-handed transatlantic race from Saint-Malo in France to Guadeloupe in the Caribbean. This edition is limited to 513 pieces worldwide.
The brushed and polished stainless steel cushion case measures 37.5 x 38.9mm and is 10.19mm thick, framed by a carbon fibre bezel insert. The matte, translucent black dial has a triangle pattern and a turquoise inner ring with a white minute track, which brings in the colours of Caribbean water. Blue luminous accents on the seconds hand and the 12 o’clock triangle add a sailing-instrument feel. The solid steel case back is engraved with the official race route. It’s fitted to a textured black rubber strap with a steel pin buckle.
Inside is the AL-140 Swiss solar quartz movement, developed by La Joux-Perret. It charges from natural or artificial light and runs for up to 10 months in complete darkness, so it never needs a battery change and doesn’t stop when it’s left in a drawer. It shows hours, minutes, seconds and the date at 3 o’clock, and it’s water resistant to 100 metres.
This is a Swiss solar watch for sailors, swimmers and anyone who wants an active everyday watch with a story behind it. The compact cushion case suits smaller and larger wrists alike, and it looks as right on the deck as it does at the bar afterwards.
What we love about this watch: The AL-140BT3AE6 is a real collector’s piece without a collector’s fuss. Turn it over and the whole race route from Saint-Malo to Guadeloupe is engraved on the back, which is a lovely detail on a watch you can swim in and never need to wind or re-battery. With only 513 made, it’s a small piece of ocean-racing history you can actually wear.