Designed for aviation enthusiasts, the Alpina Startimer collection has been revived a complete overhaul, taking it back to its origins with a new design inspired by the pilot watches created by the brand at the beginning of the last century. The new Alpina Startimer models feature a new case design, new bezel, new hands and a brand new 41mm diameter.
Presently, the new series includes two models: the Startimer Pilot Automatic and the Startimer Quartz Chronograph Big Date.
With three new models each, they feature a blue, black or green dial, a steel or black PVD-coated case, and finally a steel or top-stitched calfskin leather bracelet.
Founded in 1883, Alpina was present during aviation’s pioneering days, and has become a benchmark for professional pilots’ watches. Over the first half of the last century, Alpina was the official supplier of military aviation watches to air forces on the continent. These instruments had to meet strict requirements, they had to be extremely precise and offer the ultimate shock-resistance. Furthermore, Alpina pilot watches were mostly equipped with an anti-magnetic case, and high-contrast dials with luminous hands and numerals for instant legibility.
In 2022, Alpina returns to the original design of its aviation watches, and gives its Startimer collection a new 41mm case, the carefully considered ergonomics of which resemble the brand’s first military timepieces. This size offers the perfect compromise between the more generous size of 44mm, and the 40mm version (which remains in the collection).
A new bezel has also been designed to accompany this new case, with its typical notched profile, symbolic of the period. It was designed in the early days of aviation, to make it easier to grip with gloves on. The famous Alpina red triangle is engraved at 12 o’clock, facing the twelve-hour index marker which also adopts the same geometry.
The crown, also especially designed to revisit the original aviation styles, is positioned at 3 o’clock and displays a fluted “onion” profile, of a more discreet size. Screwed down, it ensures that the case is perfectly waterproof, guaranteed to 100 metres.
Finally on the back we see the traditional engraving that accompanies all Startimer pieces. This one features an aeroplane about to fly over a mountain, accompanied by the vintage version of the Alpina logo, as it was at the time.
The hands have also been revised. Initially a leaf shape, they have regained their cathedral inspiration with this larger body filled with luminous material, ending with a finer tip that enables the index markers to be read more precisely. The seconds hand has been refined and preserves the identity of all Alpina timepieces: a triangular counterweight, the emblem of the brand.
These hands point to Arabic numerals in a smaller font, which contributes to clearer and sharper legibility, in conjunction with a more open 41mm dial.
The minutes hand has a “railway track” look, similar to a railway line encircling the dial, with the five-minute intervals distinguished by a luminous marker opposite each index marker – on the Startimer Pilot Automatic model, this is accompanied by Arabic numerals every five minutes.
Alpina Startimer Pilot Automatic 41mm
For this occasion, the Startimer Pilot Automatic has a new date window at 6 o’clock, unlike the previous version where it featured at 3 o’clock. Hours, minutes, seconds and the date are powered by the FC-525 automatic movement, thus continuing the tradition of pilots’ watches. With its understated, sporty and elegant aesthetic, the new lines come in three variations.
The first, with a black dial, is designed entirely in steel: case, bezel and three-link bracelet, alternating between polished and satin-finish surfaces. The hands as well as the white-coloured index markers encourage perfect legibility, with a modern and functional aesthetic for a piece designed for an everyday lifestyle.
The second version with a black dial and a steel case opts for a raw-touch black calfskin leather strap, adorned with top-stitching in a similar tone to the index markers – a vintage off-white reminiscent of the heritage this version is inspired by.
The third version flaunts a trendy blue dial, combined with a steel case, all set on a brown calfskin leather strap with off-white topstitching. The final detail that will be appreciated by collectors: this vintage strap is trimmed in red, the same colour as the Alpina logo on the counterweight of the central seconds hand.
Alpina Startimer Pilot Quartz Chronograph Big Date 41mm
The new Startimer Pilot Quartz Chronograph Big Date maintains its fundamental details, namely its large date and its bicompax chronograph. Ideal for calculating flight times, the latter enables times to be measured to the tenth of a second, and over twelve consecutive hours. Positioned at 6 o’clock, the large date is displayed in two separate windows, one for the tens and the other for the ones.
The Startimer Pilot Quartz Chronograph Big Date is available in three versions. The first one focuses on robustness, with a steel bracelet, steel case and a black dial with two large luminous hands.
The second one pairs an olive green dial with a black PVD-coated steel case, reminiscent of a military khaki fibre that will delight fighter aviation enthusiasts. Beige hands and index markers, as well as the luminescent material, echo its brown calfskin leather strap, featuring off-white topstitching with a vintage accent, in a chromatic balance that demonstrates Alpina’s attention to detail.
The third offers a brand new petrol blue dial, with white hands and index markers for perfect legibility. Set on a brown calfskin leather strap with off-white topstitching, its steel case creates a perfect contrast, bringing a resolutely modern combination to life. Very trendy, young and dynamic, this variation will appeal to flight enthusiasts and urban explorers alike.
Powered by the AL-372 quartz movement, it guarantees an autonomy of at least four years.
Technical details
Movements
- Alpina Startimer Pilot Automatic 41mm: AL-525 caliber, automatic 38-hour power-reserve, 26jewels, 28’800 alt/h
- Alpina Startimer Pilot Quartz Chronograph Big Date 41mm: AL-372 caliber, quartz, 48 months battery life, 13 jewels
Functions
- Alpina Startimer Pilot Automatic 41mm: Hours, minutes, seconds, date
- Alpina Startimer Pilot Quartz Chronograph Big Date 41mm: Hours, minutes, seconds, chronograph, big date
Model: Alpina Startimer Pilot Automatic 41mm with Black dial and matching leather strap, Reference: AL-525BBG4S26
Case
Brushed and polished stainless steel 2-part case
Diameter of 41 mm
Height of 11.50 mm
Scratch-resistant convex sapphire crystal
Water-resistant up to 10ATM/100m/330ft
Screw-in crown
Engraved case back
Dial
Black dial with mat finishing and applied beige indexes with luminous treatment
Outer ring with beige seconds graduation
Date window at 6 o’clock
Hand-polished silver color hour and minute hands filled with beige luminous treatment
Hand-polished silver color second hand with red triangle
Strap
Black calf leather strap with off-white stitching and red lining
Recommended retail price
995€
Model: Alpina Startimer Pilot Automatic 41mm with Petroleum blue dial and brown calf-leather strap, Reference: AL-525NW4S26
Case
Brushed and polished stainless steel 2-part case
Diameter of 41 mm
Height of 11.50 mm
Scratch-resistant convex sapphire crystal
Water-resistant up to 10ATM/100m/330ft
Screw-in crown
Engraved case back
Dial
Petroleum blue dial with mat finishing and applied white indexes with luminous treatment
Outer ring with white seconds graduation
Date window at 6 o’clock
Hand-polished silver color hour and minute hands filled with white luminous treatment
Hand-polished silver color second hand with red triangle
Strap
Brown calf leather strap with off-white stitching and red lining
Recommended retail price
995€
Model: Alpina Startimer Pilot Automatic 41mm with Black dial and steel bracelet, Reference: AL-525BW4S26B
Case
Brushed and polished stainless steel 2-part case
Diameter of 41 mm
Height of 11.50 mm
Scratch-resistant convex sapphire crystal
Water-resistant up to 10ATM/100m/330ft
Screw-in crown
Engraved case back
Dial
Black dial with mat finishing and applied white indexes with luminous treatment
Outer ring with white seconds graduation
Date window at 6 o’clock
Hand-polished silver color hour and minute hands filled with white luminous treatment
Hand-polished silver color second hand with red triangle
Strap
3-link brushed and polished stainless steel bracelet
Recommended retail price
1095€
Model: Alpina Startimer Pilot Quartz Chronograph Big Date 41mm with Petroleum blue dial, Reference: AL-372NW4S26
Case
Brushed and polished stainless steel 2-part case
Diameter of 41 mm
Height of 12.75 mm
Scratch-resistant convex sapphire crystal
Water-resistant up to 10ATM/100m/330ft
Engraved case back
Dial
Petroleum blue dial with mat finishing and applied white indexes with luminous treatment
Outer ring with white chronograph seconds graduation
White hour and minute hands filled with white luminous treatment
White chronograph second hand with red triangle
Chronograph 10th of a second counter at 3 o’clock with white hand and white graduation
Seconds counter at 6 o’clock with white hand and white graduation
Chronograph 30 minutes counter at 9 o’clock with white hand and white graduation
Big date window at 6 o’clock
Strap
Brown calf leather strap with off-white stitching
Recommended retail price
950€
Model: Alpina Startimer Pilot Quartz Chronograph Big Date 41mm with Black Dial, Reference: AL-372BW4S26B
Case
Brushed and polished stainless steel 2-part case
Diameter of 41 mm
Height of 12.75 mm
Scratch-resistant convex sapphire crystal
Water-resistant up to 10ATM/100m/330ft
Engraved case back
Dial
Black dial with mat finishing and applied white indexes with luminous treatment
Outer ring with white chronograph seconds graduation
White hour and minute hands filled with white luminous treatment
White chronograph second hand with red triangle
Chronograph 10th of a second counter at 3 o’clock with white hand and white graduation
Seconds counter at 6 o’clock with white hand and white graduation
Chronograph 30 minutes counter at 9 o’clock with white hand and white graduation
Big date window at 6 o’clock
Strap
3-link brushed and polished stainless steel bracelet
Recommended retail price
1050€
Model: Alpina Startimer Pilot Quartz Chronograph Big Date with 41mm Black PVD Case and Green dial, Reference: AL-372GR4FBS26
Case
Brushed and polished black PVD stainless steel 2-part case
Diameter of 41 mm
Height of 12.75 mm
Scratch-resistant convex sapphire crystal
Water-resistant up to 10ATM/100m/330ft
Engraved case back
Dial
Green dial with mat finishing and applied beige indexes with luminous treatment
Outer ring with beige chronograph seconds graduation
Beige hour and minute hands filled with beige luminous treatment
Beige chronograph second hand with red triangle
Chronograph 10th of a second counter at 3 o’clock with beige hand and beige graduation
Seconds counter at 6 o’clock with beige hand and beige graduation
Chronograph 30 minutes counter at 9 o’clock with beige hand and beige graduation
Big date window at 6 o’clock
Strap
Brown calf leather strap with off-white stitching
Recommended retail price
950€
