September 2018, Geneva – Alpina unveils four new automatic models as part of the Startimer Automatic collection. All models can be recognized by their characteristic pilot codes, faithful to the Startimer collection.
A signature aviation collection
Since the start of aviation at the beginning of the last century, it’s not just airplanes that began to take off: pilot watches made their appearance. Alpina has been a renowned official manufacturer and supplier of military aviation watches to continental air forces for more than 50 years. The history of the brand is linked to sports watches and has a legendary aviation heritage. A pilot’s watch is reliable, extremely precise and legible. Particularly with the military constraints, aviator’s watches needed to resist to shocks, be equipped with anti-magnetic shields with oversized luminous hands, markers and numerals, to ensure an instant readability.
Time is in the air
The Startimer Pilot Heritage collection models are a tribute to cutting-edge codes present in the aviation watch history. Pursuing the Startimer success story since its launch in 2011, these new models include an optimized design and remain emblematic timepieces. The brand’s aviation collection joined many pioneers in their aerial adventures.
The Startimer Pilot Heritage: design highlights
Four new models are being added to the collection featuring a generous 42×40.75 mm case dimension, a scratch-resistant sapphire crystal case and an engraved case-back displaying the Alpina logo. This striking oversized case accentuates its presence on the wrist and enhances the originality of its design. The models are powered by a mechanical AL-555 automatic caliber with 26 jewels, beating at 28’800 alt per hour, offering a 38-hour power reserve and a water resistance of 100 meters.
While optimizing the readability of the dial with an internal turning ring, a date window is visible at 3 o’clock to complete its functionalities. Each dial displays polished white and black color hands, hours and minutes featuring an orange second. All dials include silver indexes and super Luminova treatment. The first model is decorated with a copper colored dial, the second model showcases a dark grey dial and the third model displays a light blue dial. They are all completed by an elegant light brown leather strap. Finally, the fourth model features a navy dial with a black leather strap.
In addition to the stainless steel case, these models include an oversized screw-in crown which is easy to grip and so that pilot’s can set time while wearing thick gloves and a padded flight suit. These Pilot’s automatic models display the hours, minutes, seconds, GMT and a date while remaining sleek and minimalist.
Overall, the Startimer Pilot Heritage models are part of the aviation history.
