Auch verfügbar auf 
Deutsch
Alain Robert cautiously climbs up the glass facade of the 157-metre-high skyscraper. Only a tiny figure with a well recognizable Zeppelin leather jacket climbs filigree like a spider completely without safety device or aids higher and higher.
The extreme climber, known worldwide under the nickname “French Spiderman”, takes just 20 minutes to climb the Skyper, a skyscraper in Frankfurt’s banking district. Back at the bottom, he is received by the police in the presence of a few onlookers. Alain Robert has been climbing since the age of 19. After doctors predicted him severe disabilities in 1982 after two serious accidents, the Frenchman climbed again just six months later. What motivates a person like the French Spiderman to repeatedly find himself in life-threatening situations? How do you not give up despite serious injuries and arrests? And can a watch reflect such a polarizing personality?
A person that is more popular than most Hollywood actors with 90 million Google views per year has considerable advertising value. Let’s recall Robert’s climb of the Skyper, which was very effective in advertising: the logo of the German watch manufacturer Zeppelin is emblazoned on his climbing jacket. And this is no coincidence, but a clever stroke of genius. Alain Robert has been a Zeppelin brand ambassador for several years. This year the cooperation has been further intensified, because the watchmaker has launched a special chronograph in cooperation with Robert:
ZEPPELIN Night Cruise Chronograph Alain Robert Limited Edition Ref. 7216-2
The ZEPPELIN Night Cruise Limited Edition ‘Alain Robert‘ will be available in a limited edition of just 300 pieces. And the best of all: number 28 is just around the corner.
A watch like Alain Robert: sporty and polarizing, but always stylish.
The Zeppelin ‘Alain Robert’ Limited Edition is a massive watch that makes a great impression: sporty, masculine and extroverted. This is also due to the remarkable dimensions: The case diameter is 42mm, the height 16mm. Inside the case there is a mechanical Swiss ETA Valjoux 7750 movement, automatically wound. The movement is built into luxury chronographs of various brands and is qualitatively one of the best. That’s a big plus. It can be admired through the semi-glazed case back.
The case is made of satin-finished stainless steel and, in combination with the technical crown, makes a very high-quality impression. Among other things, the production number is engraved on the back in order to recognize which individual piece of the limited edition you are holding in your hands. The watch is water resistant up to 10 ATM. If you can do less with it, 10 ATM (atmospheres) correspond to 100 meters water depth. If you want to go high with this watch, there’s nothing against a small dive in the depth, is there?
ZEPPELIN Night Cruise Chronograph Alain Robert Limited Edition Ref. 7216-2
However, the chocolate side of the Zeppelin ‘Alain Robert’ Limited Edition is on the front – and of course we mean the sporty yet very noble dial with its five displays, the red details and the rotating black bezel. And the following doesn’t just apply to people who dare to venture unsecured onto skyscrapers like Spiderman: anyone who likes it sporty, modern and light cannot avoid this watch with a carbon dial.
This not only looks good, but also saves some weight, which contributes to the surprisingly good wearing comfort of this large watch. The second important aspect: the check pattern is reminiscent of Formula 1 cars, which reinforces the already sporty technical impression. The logo of the German watch manufacturer is printed here. The dial is protected by sapphire crystal, which is to be expected with a watch of this price class.
In addition to the large dial, the watch has three other small dials: one for the 12-hour display, a second for the half-hour display and a third for the seconds display. We like the small dial for the seconds best. The printed spider with the red lettering ‘Alain Robert’ and the fine red second hand is the signature of the special edition.
The colour red runs through the entire design, giving the sporty, spirited and masculine character of the watch a special touch. It can be found on various markings and on the start/stop pusher. There is also a date display. The Zeppelin ‘Alain Robert’ Limited Edition can earn further praise for its typography. It is not only sporty and technical, but glows blue at night. For Alain Robert on night climbing tours certainly important, for most others a nice gimmick.
More small but important details? The bezel is printed with indices and can be turned on one side, a real diving bezel. The PDV is also coated. PDV is a special process that makes the watch material durable and protects it from external influences. The sporty leather strap has red stitching and a double thorn close. The wearing comfort is pleasant.
Conclusion
The ZEPPELIN Night Cruise Limited Edition ‘Alain Robert’ is not a watch that is taken out of a safe twice a year for family celebrations. It wants to be worn and play out its many useful gimmicks in everyday life. It has the extreme characteristics of the extreme climber. It is extroverted, polarized, endures a lot and underlines the character of the modern man: self-confident, stylish, technically adept and sporty. Even if we don’t want to risk our lives and like Alain Robert or Spiderman want to climb up the facades of skyscrapers at dizzying heights, it’s still clear that this watch will get a bit of a superhero out of all of us.
The price is about 1600€. Those who want to refund the limited edition of Zeppelin’s Night Cruise Line at this price should be quick, because as soon as the chronograph is out of stock, the prices will rise with time. Just like Alain Robert will one day again when he – apart from his Zeppelin watch – climbs up a skyscraper without any help.
[…] Review ZEPPELIN Night Cruise Chronograph Alain Robert Limited Edition Ref. 7216-2 […]