AboutTime Summer 2022 | Page 20

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MECHANICALS

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MECHANICALS

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 topstitched 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 ).
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