It was way back (ok, a year ago) when Jeff went hands on with an Alpina Startimer. Well, they’ve not been resting on their laurels. No, those crafty folks over at Alpina have come up with a new addition to the line, giving what the modern audience wants in a rather vintage-look of a watch. That watch being, of course, the Alpina Startimer Pilot Heritage Chronograph.
What is particularly interesting is that the Alpina Startimer Pilot Heritage Chronograph, though it has “heritage” right in the name, doesn’t actually hearken to any specific prior Alpina model. Instead, it’s a collection of ideas from watches of the past. While they’ve been very air-oriented in the past, with this new watch, things go more in the direction of motorsports (though, I suppose you could try to use it at the Red Bull Air Races).
To get the chronograph working in the Alpina Startimer Pilot Heritage Chronograph, the brand went with a single-pusher model from La Joux-Perret. This single-pusher feels odd in how we’re used to seeing things today, but that’s what Alpina did when they introduced their first chronograph, so here we are. They have this to say about the movement:
This bicompax chronograph measures short time intervals (30 minutes) thanks to the AL-727 calibre, which oscillates at a high frequency of 4 Hz (28,800 vib/h) to ensure accuracy and shock-resistance, two cornerstones of the Alpina spirit.
— Alpina Press Release
While the case design of the $2795 isn’t going to be for everyone (I put myself in that boat), it’s definitely a design that’s recognizable, and I’m certain plenty will like this mashup of a cushion and bullhead case. If you’re looking for a nouveau vintage chronograph, you could certainly do worse than the Alpina Startimer Pilot Heritage. As for me, well, I think I’ll keep to the Alpiner 4 part of the catalog. alpinawatches.com
Tech Specs from Alpina
- Case
- Stainless steel case
- 42×40.75mm diameter
- Scratch-resistant sapphire crystal
- Water-resistant up to 10 ATM/100m/330ft
- Engraved case back
- Screw-in crown and case back
- Movement
- AL-727, Automatic mono-pusher chronograph movement
- 28 jewels, 55-hour power reserve, 28,800 alt/h
- Dial
- Silver or blue color dial with applied silver indexes and SLN treatment
- Hand polished silver hours and minutes hands with white luminous treatment, black second and white counters.
- Strap: Light brown leather strap
- Functions: Hours, Minutes, Seconds, Chronograph
