Introducing the new Alpina Startimer Pilot Automatic Watches
Friday - 06 January 2023
A new case, bezel and date window create the look of the Alpina Startimer Pilot Automatic watch, available in a black or blue dial option and with a style that returns to some of the Swiss brand’s earliest pilot watches
Alpina has specialised in military pilot’s watches for forces on the continent since the beginning of the last century. This puts the brand in a unique position within the luxury watch industry when it comes to creating tool watches with a single purpose. Alpina pilot’s watches are known for their high contrast dials for optimum legibility and their anti-magnetic cases to name just a few attributes. Whether you’re a professional or amateur pilot, or just love the look of a pilot’s watch, the Startimer watch collection offers a diverse range of tool watches for the sky. For 2022, the Startimer has undergone some changes which revert the look of the watch back to some of the company’s earliest pilot’s watches. Let’s take a look at how Alpina has move forward to come back…
Returning to a design that has brought the company great success, the new Alpina Startimer watches for 2022 have been carefully designed for an ergonomic fit against the wrist and resemble the brand’s first military timepieces, bridging the gap nicely between the Startimer’s larger 44mm models and smaller 40mm ones. To start, the bezel of the new Startimer Pilot Automatic watch now has a notched design, an early design feature that assisted with an easy grip whilst wearing heavy pilot’s gloves in freezing cockpit conditions. At the 12 o’clock location on the bezel, a red triangular symbol resides, echoing the geometry of the noon location on the dial’s hour track. Also revisiting earlier pilot watch styles is the crown at 3 o’clock, with its flute “onion” profile. The crown is also screwed down to assist the case in upholding a water resistance of 100 meters. Additionally, the back of the case features a vintage Alpina logo, whilst the return of the dial’s cathedral hands sees Alpina deserting the old leaf shape for a fuller-bodied centre and a finer tip. The second hand, however, retains the classic identity of the signature Alpina watch with its triangular counterweight showcasing the company’s emblem.
The three recent Alpina Startimer Pilot Automatic watches come in three variations - two black and one blue. The two black offer a choice between a brushed and polished stainless steel bracelet and a black calf leather strap. The black and steel bracelet version reference AL-525BW4S26B offers a versatile dress watch option for pairing with smart attire thanks to its robust steel bracelet with inner polished links and brushed outer links. Adding to the subtle red touches on the dial is the “Startimer” lettering positioned above the reference to the automatic movement at 6 o’clock. Down at the southern end of the dial is where the new date residence, sitting against a black-filled aperture. The black dial with a black calf leather strap version reference AL-525BBG4S26 is undeniably classic and differs from the bracelet version in the fact that the Arabic numerals and hands are finished with a beige-coloured luminous material to match the beige railroad scale around the edge of the dial. The smart deep brown calf leather strap is completed with a beige contrast stitching, which runs up the sides of the strap, devoting a subtle vintage-inspired feel to the timepiece. The petroleum blue version of the new Alpina Startimer Pilot Automatic watch reference AL-525NW4S26 features a brown calf leather band with white contrast stitching. The rich blue hue of the dial is framed by a white seconds graduation.
All of the three new Alpina Startimer Pilot Automatic watches measure a 41mm diameter and are integrated with 100-meter water resistance. The AL-525 Calibre, which sits inside the case, offers an impressive power reserve of 38 hours and performs at a rate of 28,800 vibrations per hour. If you’d like more information on any of these three new Alpina Startimer Pilot Automatic watches, you can check out the range here or call and speak to a member of our sales team at Jura Watches on 0135 453453
Technical specifications of the new Alpina Startimer Pilot Automatic watches:
- Case: 41mm – stainless steel – 100-meter water-resistant – convex anti-reflective sapphire crystal glass front – height: 11,50mm – closed caseback with special vintage Alpina logo engraved – screw-down onion-shaped crown
- Dial: Black / petroleum blue – white/ beige luminous-coated Arabic numerals and cathedral hands – outer white/beige seconds railroad track – red counterbalance on the second hand – red “Startimer” lettering – black date aperture at 6 o’clock
- Movement: AL-525 Calibre – automatic – self-winding – 28,800 vph – 38-hour power reserve – 26 jewels
- Strap: Stainless steel – brushed and polished links – folding clasp / dark brown calfskin strap – beige contrast stitching / dark brown calf leather strap – white contrast stitching
- Reference: Black and steel bracelet - AL-525BW4S26B / Black and calf leather strap - AL-525BBG4S26 / petroleum blue dial with brown calf leather strap - AL-525NW4S26
- Price: Starts from £995
