Alpina brings back the Hunter Case style featuring a flip-cover case back that we remember from pocket watches with its new model, the Startimer Pilot Heritage Automatic.
Alpina has a long history regarding pilot watches. The fact that the brand provided timepieces to the air forces of various countries in the 20th century is among the notable achievements of its heritage. The brand, which has undergone a fast and ambitious restructuring process in the past ten years, has gained a firm place among the entry and mid-level mechanical Swiss watches. Alpina, which brings together classic-themed pilot's watches with relatively affordable prices, is now on our pages once again with a new model.
The new model comes with a three-piece, stainless steel case with a flip-cover case back. Designed with a diameter of 44mm and a thickness of 11.55mm, the case back carries an additional cover following the Hunter Case form that we are familiar with from pocket watches. Under the hinged cover that opens up by the pusher placed on the side of the case, there is another cover with a sapphire crystal display. The case, which is resistant to 30 meters of water pressure, has a curved, scratch-resistant sapphire crystal on the front.
The dial offers the required contrast for optimum legibility in almost any condition, thanks to the Super-LumiNOVA filled Arabic numeral indices and hands as well as the 24-hour scale placed in the matt black center. The large triangle at the 12 o'clock marker, the second hand with a red bottom, and the form of the logo prepared as the brand used in 1883 are among the details that refer to the history of the brand.
The new model beats with the automatic movement AL-525, which is based on Sellita SW200-1. The movement, which is the choice of many brands from different segments with its robustness, accuracy, and easy-to-service design, offers 38 hours of power reserve when fully wound. AL-525 and the Alpina signed oscillating rotor winding it, can be viewed through the sapphire crystal display inner case back.
The model comes on a vintage-look brown calfskin strap and a stainless steel buckle with the Alpina logo.
