Startimer Pilot Heritage Automatic - Ltd Ed 1883pcs Ref. AL-525BBG4SH6

Vintage-inspired watches are immensely appealing, being spoiled with an ever-growing choice of incredible new offerings, and frankly, us watch lovers simply can’t get enough of them. Yet, not all of them are made equal. Alpina introduces a sublime limited model to their Startimer collection of pilot watches that draws on their rich aviation heritage back in the 1930s, featuring a breathtaking dial replicating the look of the era and a historic hunter case back design distinctive to classic pocket watches. Meticulously made in Geneva, Switzerland - the center of the luxury watch world, this exquisite pilot’s watch boasts a high level of refinement and quality the Swiss is best known for. 


Alpina Startimer Pilot Heritage Automatic - Ltd Ed 1883pcs Ref. AL-525BBG4SH6

The Swiss have been distinguished as one of the world’s best watchmakers for centuries, dominating the watch industry with their fine craftsmanship and exceptional quality. Back in 1883, independent watchmaker Gottleib Hauser stood out from the rest with a vision to establish a union of members among fellow watchmakers in Switzerland with an aim to work with each other to share ideas, parts and materials to bring watchmaking to another level. This was when he founded the Alpina Union Horlogère S.A. (UH) / Schweizerische Uhrmacher-Genossenschaft (SUG)' ('Corporation of Swiss Watchmakers') that was driven by Hauser’s ‘Alpinist Principle’  to unite the Swiss watchmaking industry.

The Union was initially created to optimize and develop the movement manufacturing process with the team effort between manufacturers and suppliers. However they soon developed their own completely in-house calibers and high-precision chronometers. In 1921, Alpina became highly recognized as a watch manufacturer that produced reliable aviation timepieces for military pilots during the Second World War. Today, these service wristwatches are highly desired by vintage military watch collectors for their legendary horological heritage.


Applied silver indexes with beige luminous treatment

Early day pilot’s watches are renowned for their large, highly legible and seemingly overbuilt dimensions for pilots to read when flying. Following these traditional attributes, the Alpina Startimer Pilot Heritage Automatic Ref. AL-525BBG4SH6 measures in with a powerful 44mm diameter and a lug to lug distance of 50mm - an ideal size that portrays a bold character without being too overwhelming. Despite the domed crystal and its unique hinged caseback, the watch manages to keep a remarkably slim profile with a thickness of merely 11.5mm, sliding smoothly under a cuff. 


Finishing on the case is tastefully executed to a great degree of precision, presenting a highly-polished case that transitions, with a fine chamfered edge, to a beautiful circular brushing on the substantial bezel around the dial. At the 3 o’clock position, the prominent onion-style crown is a reference back to traditional pilot’s watches with oversized onion crowns for pilots to operate even with thick gloves on, worn to protect their hands against the intense cold in an unheated cockpit. To complete the look, the watch is matched with a supple 22mm coffee brown leather strap flanked with vintage stitchings. 


SuperLuminova glows brightly

A whole lot of appealing vintage details went into the matte black dial of the Startimer Pilot Heritage Automatic Ref. AL-525BBG4SH6. Underneath Alpina’s signature triangle logo the 12 o’clock position (representing Switzerland’s renowned Matterhorn mountain), the applied retro Alpina logo is a compelling throwback to the original font found on vintage Alpina watches made in the 20th century when Alpina was at their peak. As if this is not exciting enough, the applied numeric indices, as well as the leaf-shaped hour and minute hands are treated with cream-coloured luminescent for a truly vintage appeal. Hovering over the dial, the striking splash of red on the counterbalance of the second hand brings an attractive touch of colour to the dial. Protecting the dial sits a piece of domed scratch-resistant sapphire crystal treated with anti-reflective coating. 


The back of the Startimer Pilot Heritage Automatic Ref. AL-525BBG4SH6 showcases the specially integrated solid cover hinged caseback, otherwise referred to as the officer’s style caseback or the hunter caseback. This unique caseback design harks back on vintage pocket watches, adding a distinctive retro flair. Operated with a push button resting at the 4 o’clock position, the solid caseback opens up to reveal a beautiful display of perlage decoration underneath, as well as the inner workings of the movement that features Alpina’s specially decorated custom black rotor. 


Specially integrated solid cover hinged caseback

At the heart of the Startimer Pilot Heritage Automatic Ref. AL-525BBG4SH6 lies the Alpina self-winding caliber AL-525 automatic movement that offers a power reserve of 38 hours that beats at a rate of 28,800 beats per hour. This 26 jewel movement is based on the ever-reliable Sellita SW200-1 movement, a movement renowned for its reliability and performance. 


Being only limited to 1883 pieces (a nod to Alpina’s founding in 1883), the Startimer Pilot Heritage Automatic Ref. AL-525BBG4SH6 definitely brings a unique experience of a nostalgic hunter caseback, accompanying its strong vintage aesthetic prominent in its dial design. Featuring a Swiss reliable automatic movement and a well-executed case, Alpina demonstrated their close attention to detail in a vintage-inspired piece that has so much to offer.