REISER Alpen Date: A Versatile Example of Cool Design
REISER is a brand that has caught our eye thanks to its new range of timepieces that are hand-assembled to the finest detail. Called the REISER Alpen Date, the series of watches makes the most of European craftsmanship to create sophisticated elegance that can be customized to fit all fashion choices and situations. As a debut series, the Alpen Date stands out because of its clear quality. REISER obviously wants to set itself amongst the boutique brands aiming directly for enthusiasts who value high caliber design and build quality.
It’s a hopeful start from REISER, a company that designs its watches in its Netherlands base before allowing the experienced craftspeople at Pforzheim to hand-assemble the product. Of course, Pforzheim is notable as a center of watchmaking excellence so REISER assembling its timepieces in “the Golden City” makes sense.
Let’s be clear, REISER is entering a hotly-contested area of the watch market with the Alpen Date. It is a bold move to debut in the integrated bracelet casual bracket, but as you can see by the images of the Alpen Date, it exudes charm and cool aesthetics. At 41-mm wide and 11.45mm thick, this watch is chunky enough but also slim enough to suit most wearers. With its beautiful eight-side dial, it’s the kind of watch that you can use to make a fashion statement but also slip under a sports jacket and forget about it.
We are big fans of the way REISER finishes the Alpen Date. No matter the variation you choose, the brushed surfaces and smooth chamfers add plenty of visual appeal. In fact, this is perhaps one of the best-looking debutant watches we have seen for some time. Big words, but true when discussing the Alpen series.
Thanks to the wide selection of configurations in the series, you can buy an Alpen Date that fits most situations. Whether you’re heading out for a fancy dinner or hitting the golf course for the afternoon, this is a watch that will integrate perfectly with your look. The textured dial that serves as the visual centerpiece of REISER’s watch is available with three dial color options (blue, green, and black).
As for the casing, it is available in rose gold or stainless steel. We like that the option of colors allows you to personalize your Alpen Data, while the rose gold case version stands out from the crowd and will probably be a conversation starter.
Variety is the spice of life with the Alpen, which also has a number of strap options to choose from. While the Italian tanned leather is our favorite strap, especially with the rose gold casing, the rose gold metal, stainless steel, blue Italian leather, green Italian leather, and black Italian leather let you select the strap that matches your style preference.
Moving onto the rotor, REISER uses a custom system. It sports the company’s logo engravement and is finished with Geneva stripes. Winding with the rotor with the slick eight-sided 5mm crown, that matches the dial in design and the color of the casing, is easy.
In terms of build quality, REISER has focused on quality materials. So, you get a sapphire crystal dial with AR coating. You can also flip over the Alpen Date to see a window in the screw-down case back. This little viewing window provides visual access to the NH35A movement that keeps the watch powered.
That’s a solid movement that should last for years, operating at 21,600 vph (that’s about 6 beats per second), so you’re good for 41 hours of reserve power.
It’s clear the REISER Alpen Date is a versatile timepiece that will keep you in time and looking good in any scenario. We think as debut watches go, this is right up there because of its built quality, interesting design choices, and sophistication. It’s also slotting neatly into the affordable bracket of high-end watches priced at $590 with a leather strap and $625 for stainless steel strap options.
If you want to know more about the Alpen Date or get more familiar with REISER, check out the company’s website.
