Compact for the Cockpit: Alpina Unveils Five Startimer Pilot Automatics at New 40-mm Size


Geneva-based watch manufacturer Alpina has unveiled five new re-editions of its vintage-look Startimer Pilot Automatic wristwatch, whose dial features the collection’s original characteristics, including a red-colored triangle-shaped marker at 12 o’clock, a dial with Arabic numerals in a vintage-style font, and a square-shaped date display window at 3 o’clock. The case of the new Startimer Pilot Automatic 40 mm measures 4 mm smaller in diameter than its 44-mm predecessors for what Alpina calls a “more restrained” look and feel.

Alpina Startimer Pilot Automatic 40 mm (Ref. AL-525G3TS6)
Each timepiece features luminous-coated markers for easy reading in the dark.

The refreshed collection of pilots’ watches features wide dials with cathedral-shaped hands coated in luminescent material at their centers. As in previous models, the box-shaped date-display window is located at the 3 o’clock position, and a long seconds hand sweeps over the dial with 5-minute indexes. At 12 and 6 o’clock on the dial you’ll find rectangular, horizontally oriented index hour markers with luminous coating. Above the one at 12 is an inverted red triangle, a longtime symbol of the Alpina brand. An openworked version of the Alpina red triangle is also used as the counterweight of the sword-shaped seconds hand. The screw-down crown at 3 o’clock still has the models’ original ridges, for an improved grip.

The first model, Ref. AL-525G3S4 comes in a rose gold-plated stainless-steel case, fitted with a dark grey-colored dial and rose gold-plated hour and minute indexes. The hour, minute, and second hands are also rose gold-plated, while the seconds hand is treated in a white luminous coating. This reference comes mounted on a dark brown calfskin leather strap. The other model in a rose-gold-plated case, Ref. AL-525NN3S4, features a navy blue dial. The applied, rose-gold-plated indexes and hands are all coated in the same white luminous material. The combination of bronze tones and navy blue make this Startimer model particularly evocative of nautical themes.

Two other two models (Ref. AL-525G3TS6 and Ref. AL-525NN3S6) come in stainless-steel cases, one coated in black PVD and fitted with a dark gray dial. The index markers and hands are silvered and treated with white luminous coating.

The Alpina Startimer Automatic 40 mm Ref. 525S3S6

There’s also a white-dial model (Ref. AL-525G3TS6) in a stainless-steel case. The dial’s black indexes are hand-polished and treated in their centers with white luminous material. The hour, minute, and second hands, also luminous treated, are in a black onyx material.

Inside each new 40-mm case, which measures 10.25 mm in thickness and offers a water-resistance of 100 meters (10 ATM, or 330 ft) is the self-winding caliber AL-525. The mechanical movement offers a 38-hour power-reserve, a 28,800-vph, and 26 jewels — all protected behind a steel caseback with an engraving of the Alpine peaks from which the brand draws its name and heritage.

The five new editions are available now, priced starting at 895 euros, and can be purchased through the brand’s online store.

For more information, follow the link here.

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  1. Graham murray

    Lovely watches, I currently own 3 Alpinas & looking at these it might shortly be 4

    Reply
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