Alpina Flies the Strait with Startimer Pilot Automatic

Few watch categories are as closely tied to functional design as the pilot’s watch. With the renewed Startimer Pilot Automatic, Alpina revisits one of the cornerstones of its modern collection while reaffirming the brand’s historic ties to early aviation. Introduced in 2011 and inspired by original Alpina pilot watches of the 1920s and 1930s, the Startimer line now returns in a thoroughly reworked generation featuring a new case design, updated dial architecture and a robust automatic movement developed in partnership with La Joux-Perret.

Founded in 1883, Alpina became known in the early decades of the 20th century as a supplier of military watches, many of them designed specifically for pilots. These early aviation timepieces followed strict functional principles: large Arabic numerals for legibility, bold hands with luminescent material designed for night flights, oversized crowns for operation with gloves and long straps that allowed the watch to be worn over a flight suit. The modern Startimer collection draws directly on these historical design codes.

For 2026, the relaunch brings a significantly refined case. The new steel design measures 40mm in diameter and just over 10mm in height, reducing the thickness of previous models by nearly ten percent while maintaining a strong wrist presence. The case features carefully executed finishing, including a circular satin-brushed bezel, vertically brushed case flanks and lugs, and polished chamfers that emphasize the geometry of the design. A newly shaped aviation-style crown improves grip and usability, while water resistance remains to 100 meters.

Inside, the watch is powered by the automatic AL-525 caliber, based on a movement from Swiss specialist La Joux-Perret. Beating at 4 Hz (28,800 vibrations per hour), the movement offers an extended power reserve of 68 hours, underscoring the reliability expected of a modern tool watch. The steel caseback is decorated with a hydraulically stamped aviation motif inspired by the Art Deco aesthetics of early flight, paying tribute to the pioneering aviators who relied on such instruments.

The dial has also been comprehensively redesigned to enhance legibility and depth. A grained, velvet-like central surface contrasts with a stepped outer flange that carries the minute track. Large applied Arabic numerals made from solid luminous material reinforce the watch’s aviation character, while the applied Alpina logo and hour markers add a subtle three-dimensional effect. After dark, the dial glows with a mix of luminous tones— ranging from “old radium” to blue-green and green— depending on the model.

Four new versions introduce distinct personalities within the collection. Matte dial options include black, khaki and petrol blue. One entirely dark model adopts a pronounced vintage look with a black PVD-coated case, beige-toned luminous accents and a beige leather NATO-style strap, recalling the “gunmetal” pocket watches once favored in aviation contexts. A second black version takes on a more contemporary sporting character, featuring white luminous indexes, a Cordura fabric strap with red stitching and a redesigned Startimer logo. The khaki and petrol-blue variants are paired with brown leather straps reminiscent of classic aviator gear.

The Alpina Startimer Pilot Automatic will be available in Summer/Fall 2026, with prices starting at $1,795 for the steel models and $1,895 for the steel with black PVD coating version.

To learn more, visit Alpina, here.