Alpina Updates Startimer Pilot Automatic

Alpina has updated its aviation-themed Startimer collection with a new design featuring a new case, new bezel and new 41mm diameter size. 

One of the first new mechanical models displaying the updated design, the Startimer Pilot Automatic, sports a blue, black or green dial, a steel or black PVD-coated case and a steel bracelet or a top-stitched calfskin leather strap. 

Alpina notes that the new collection more closely echoes its own early pilot watch designs, with the newest size offering a compromise between the existing 44mm and 40mm versions, both of which will remain in the collection. 

The new fluted bezel is especially notable for its retro appeal and was initially designed in the early part of the last century to give pilots wearing gloves a surer grip. Likewise, the watch’s crown is fluted (an “onion” profile) to enhance a gloved grip, and is screwed down to ensure water resistance to 100 meters. 

In addition, Alpina has revised the Startimer’s hands, changing the earlier leaf shape to the newer cathedral design, filled with luminous material. A new fine tip enables the index markers to be read more precisely. The seconds hand has also been updated with the Alpina triangular counterweight. 

Both the new hands point to smaller Arabic numerals and a railway style minutes track. The five-minute intervals are marked by a luminous marker next to the numeral on the track. 

Finally, Alpina has moved the date window from its previous location at 3 o’clock to a more traditional pilot watch location at 6 o’clock. 

Inside Alpina fits its Sellita-based FC-525 automatic movement. 

Look for the new Alpina Startimer Automatic in three variations: with a black dial on a steel bracelet, a black dial on a black strap or a blue dial set with a brown calfskin strap.

(Note that Alpina also offers a quartz-powered Startimer Quartz Chronograph Big Date with the same design updates described above.)

Prices: $1,295 (SS bracelet), $1195 (leather strap).