Startimer Pilot Automatic 44mm Shadow Line Ref. AL-525GG4FBS6

Startimer – A legendary aviation heritage

In the first 50 years of the past century, Alpina was a renowned manufacturer and official supplier of military aviation watches to continental air forces. Early aviation pioneers had strict requirements: their instruments had to be extremely precise and provide ultimate shock resistance. In addition, Alpina’s pilot watches were mostly equipped with an anti-magnetic case, highly contrasting dials with oversized luminous numerals and luminous hands for instant readability. Since its initial launch in 2011, the Startimer Pilot Collection has become the most successful collection of the Brand and one of the most recognizable professional pilot watches on the market.

Alpina Startimer Pilot Automatic 44mm Shadow Line Ref. AL-525GG4FBS6

The new Startimer Pilot Automatic maintains all the pilot features the Startimer Collection is known for while being in full sleek black. The combination of the excellent and qualitative finishing details and very straight functions offer pilot watch aficionados the perfect balance between functionality and elegance on the wrist.

As always, it is all about the details with Alpina watches. And it takes a watch aficionado to appreciate the amount of details that go into the making of every Alpina watch. The very well finished case with multiple finishing on the beveled case, the well made dial with sharp prints and applied luminous markers, the very well finished hands and "Alpina" second hand are just some of the details that make such a simple watch so attractive. Details that put pilot watches from the conglomerates costing few times more to shame.

Applied numerals for a sophisticated look

The dial of the Startimer Pilot Automatic 44mm Shadow Line Ref. AL-525GG4FBS6 is a work of art. And has to be admired in person to understand the beauty and work that has been put into it. Depending on the lighting, the matte dial goes from a dark grey to full black.

The applied hour markers are framed with a black metal finish and filled with SuperLuminova, the raised hour markers significantly "upgrade" the look over more conventional flat pilot watch dials and also assist with legibility. The raised makers give the watch a more dimensional premium look. 

The clean design of the watch is inspired by Alpina’s past: a generous 44mm satin-finished stainless steel case that is done in PVD black. Unconventional looking is what I will use to describe the case color. It is purely cool and sleek, looking much like what a tactical team would wear during missions. And a very soft domed sapphire crystal that is anti-reflective treated on both sides for maximum clarity. Like most Alpina watch cases, it's case is hand satin-brushed on all surfaces, except for a intricate, narrow bevel that runs along its length. The Alpina's case finishing rates highly for watches costing even 2-3 times more.

SuperLuminova glows brightly

Another unique feature of the Alpina Startimer is the Alpina signed screwdown crown. Making this pilot watch water resistant to 100m/330ft, which is a rare feature in modern pilot watches. The big crown makes operation buttery smooth.

The  Startimer Pilot Automatic 44mm Shadow Line Ref. AL-525GG4FBS6 comes with a genuine leather strap comes with an Alpina signed buckle.

What we have here is a great value pilot watch with superb finishing that outclasses most watches in its category.