Swiss watch brand Alpina pledges to protect the oceans by presenting new Seastrong Diver Gyre Automatic line to support the World Ocean Day (on June 8th, 2020). On this occasion, the Brand goes even further by announcing its partnership with the start-up Gyre Watch, which is responsible for sourcing the recycled material, and with Surfrider Foundation Europe, a non-governmental organisation which has become a reference in the fight for the preservation of the ocean and its users.
For the first time in the history of Alpina, the Seastrong Diver Gyre Automatic range features a case comprised of 70% plastic debris derived from fishing nets collected in the Indian Ocean. To ensure its durability, it has been strengthened with 30% fibreglass.
This line as well as its name draws their inspiration from the encounter between Alpina and the watch journalist Bernard Werk, in the Netherlands, three years ago. Personally involved in the preservation of the oceans, he created the concept as well as the name “GYRE”, in reference to these giant circular ocean currents – and consisting in reusing the ghost fishing nets from the Indian Ocean. In order to protect an environment dear to Alpina as well as to GYRE-founders Bernard Werk and Jorrit Niels, the Seastrong Diver Gyre Automatic line is the beginning of a long-term collaboration between Gyre Watch and the Maison.
It is also the first time that this eco-responsible blend has complied with EU REACH legislation (Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals). Its aim is to control the use of chemical substances in order to improve the protection of human health and the environment, while promoting a high level of innovation – objectives perfectly expressed by the new Seastrong Diver Gyre Automatic range.
The Seastrong Diver Gyre Automatic range now comprises five variations, including: three men’s models (44 mm) and two ladies’s models (36 mm). They share three dial finishes evoking the reflections of the sea, in blue shades, turquoise and dyed mother-of-pearl, complete with luminescent hands. The seconds hand is finished with the famous triangle from the Alpina logo, which also features as an index hour marker at 12 o’clock.
Completing the look are three two-tone NATO style straps made from recycled plastic bottles. In addition, Alpina is offering a black vegetable leather strap comprised of recycled apple waste with every men’s model.
Each model is powered by the AL-525 automatic movement featuring three hands and the date, housed in a black composite case (70% PA6, 30% fibreglass) and presenting a unidirectional bezel that recalls the nautical pedigree of the Seastrong collection. Each piece is certified water-resistant to 300 m.
These timepieces will be made in strictly limited series of 1,883 pieces each, in reference to the year that Alpina was created. They will be presented in an exclusive and eco-friendly gift set comprising an inner box of FSC Mix paper housing a case made entirely from recycled plastic (ABS) with lining made from recycled plastic bottles (rPET). Completing this gift set will be a single leaflet (guarantee and certificate of authenticity) printed on FSC Recycled paper.
To reduce its ecological footprint further still, Alpina has also opted for a paperless user manual, accessible via a QR code. The latter will direct buyers to a dedicated site presenting the concept behind their watch and its materials, as well as the instruction and maintenance manual.
For the launch of these new products, Alpina has chosen to support Surfrider Foundation Europe. Created in 1990, in France (Biarritz), by a group of surfers wishing to defend their playground, the Foundation bears the citizen mobilization for the protection of the ocean and the coast in its DNA. In total adequacy with these values of sharing and respect between humans and nature, Alpina became a partner of this international non-governmental and environmental non-profit organization, recognized for its fight led daily by nearly 2000 volunteers across 12 European countries.
Gyre Watch has been founded in The Netherlands in 2017 with the aim to produce a watch made out of recycled ocean plastic. After two and half years they found the solution by using recycling ghost fishing nets, saved from the Indian Ocean. Local fishermen collect the fishing nets from the sea and deliver them to the recycler. For this they receive a fee, which means Gyre also contributes to the local economy. The nets are then cleaned and made into pellets for the watch case.
Technical details
Model: Alpina Seastrong Diver Gyre Gents Automatic, Reference: AL-525LNSB4VG6
Functions
Hours, minutes, seconds, date
Movement
AL-525 caliber, automatic
26 jewels, 38-hour power reserve, 28,800 alt/h
Case
2-parts case made with recycled PA 6 (70%) and glass fibre (30%)
60 min unidirectional stainless steel with black PVD bezel and black color luminous markers
Diameter of 44 mm, thickness of 12,15 mm
Scratch-resistant sapphire crystal
Water-resistant up to 30 ATM/300m/1000ft
Engraved case-back
Screw-in crown
Dial
Smoked blue dial, applied silver indexes with white luminous treatment
Date window at 3 o’clock
Silver color hours and minutes hands with white luminous treatment, white color seconds hand with light blue triangle at the base
Strap
Two-tone blue NATO strap made from rPET (recycled plastic bottles)
One extra strap made of apple leather is coming with the watch and is protected by a pouch made from rPET.
Limited Edition
1883 pieces
Gift box
Made from recycled plastic, FSC certified paper and rPET fabric
Retail price
1’395€
Model: Alpina Seastrong Diver Gyre Gents Automatic, Reference AL-525LNB4VG6
Functions
Hours, minutes, seconds, date
Movement
AL-525 caliber, automatic
26 jewels, 38-hour power reserve, 28,800 alt/h
Case
2-parts case made with recycled PA 6 (70%) and glass fibre (30%)
60 min unidirectional stainless steel with black PVD bezel and black color luminous markers
Diameter of 44 mm, thickness of 12,15 mm
Scratch-resistant sapphire crystal
Water-resistant up to 30 ATM/300m/1000ft
Engraved case-back
Screw-in crown
Dial
Blue dial, applied silver indexes with white luminous treatment.
Date window at 3 o’clock
Silver color hours and minutes hands with silver luminous treatment, white color seconds hand with light blue triangle at the base
Strap
Two-tone blue NATO strap made from rPET (recycled plastic bottles)
One extra strap made of apple leather is coming with the watch and is protected by a pouch made from rPET.
Limited Edition
1883 pieces
Giftbox
Made from recycled plastic, FSC certified paper and rPET fabric
Retail price
1’395€
Model: Alpina Seastrong Diver Gyre Gents Automatic, Reference AL-525LNB4VG6BLK
Functions
Hours, minutes, seconds, date
Movement
AL-525 caliber, automatic
26 jewels, 38-hour power reserve, 28,800 alt/h
Case
2-parts case made with recycled PA 6 (70%) and glass fibre (30%)
60 min unidirectional stainless steel with black PVD bezel and black color luminous markers
Diameter of 44 mm, thickness of 12,15 mm
Scratch-resistant sapphire crystal
Water-resistant up to 30 ATM/300m/1000ft
Engraved case-back
Screw-in crown
Dial
Blue dial, applied silver indexes with white luminous treatment
Date window at 3 o’clock
Silver color hours and minutes hands with white luminous treatment, white color seconds hand with light blue triangle at the base
Strap
Two-tone blue and black NATO strap made from rPET (recycled plastic bottles)
One extra strap made of apple leather is coming with the watch and is protected by a pouch made from rPET.
Limited Edition
1883 pieces
Giftbox
Made from recycled plastic, FSC certified paper and rPET fabric
Retail price
1’395€
Model: Alpina Seastrong Diver Gyre Ladies Automatic, Reference: AL-525LNSB3VG6
Functions
Hours, minutes, seconds, date
Movement
AL-525 caliber, automatic
26 jewels, 38-hour power reserve, 28,800 alt/h
Case
2-parts case made with recycled PA 6 (70%) and glass fibre (30%)
60 min unidirectional stainless steel with black PVD bezel and black color luminous markers
Diameter of 36 mm, thickness of 11,75 mm
Scratch-resistant sapphire crystal
Water-resistant up to 30 ATM/300m/1000ft
Engraved case-back
Screw-in crown
Dial
Smoked blue dial, applied silver indexes with white luminous treatment
Date window at 3 o’clock
Silver color hours and minutes hands with white luminous treatment, white color seconds hand with light blue triangle at the base
Strap
Two-tone blue NATO strap made from rPET (recycled plastic bottles)
Limited Edition
1883 pieces
Giftbox
Made from recycled plastic, FSC certified paper and rPET fabric
Retail price
1’295€
Model: Alpina Seastrong Diver Gyre Ladies Automatic, Reference: AL-525LMPLNB3VG6
Functions
Hours, minutes, seconds, date
Movement
AL-525 caliber, automatic
26 jewels, 38-hour power reserve, 28,800 alt/h
Case
2-parts case made with recycled PA 6 (70%) and glass fibre (30%)
60 min unidirectional stainless steel with black PVD bezel and black color luminous markers
Diameter of 36 mm, thickness of 11,75 mm
Scratch-resistant sapphire crystal
Water-resistant up to 30 ATM/300m/1000ft
Engraved case-back
Screw-in crown
Dial
Light blue mother of pearl dial, applied silver indexes with white luminous treatment
Date window at 3 o’clock
Silver color hours and minutes hands with white luminous treatment, white color seconds hand with light blue triangle at the base
Strap
Two-tone blue and black NATO strap made from rPET (recycled plastic bottles)
Limited Edition
1883 pieces
Giftbox
Made from recycled plastic, FSC certified paper and rPET fabric
Retail price
1’395€
