On Wednesday 13 March at 14:44, yachtsman Éric Péron crossed the finish line of the ARKEA ULTIM CHALLENGE - Brest solo round-the-world race, crowning 66 days, 1 hour, 14 minutes, 27 seconds and 29,107.65 nautical miles of courage and resilience on the high seas. This remarkable feat is testament to the unwavering determination of an intrepid Alpina ambassador, braving all the elements with indomitable passion.
Setting sail from Brest (France) on 7th January aboard his Ultim trimaran, Éric Péron has charted his course across the oceans, defying wind and tide. His voyage has been punctuated by challenges and memorable moments, marked by some key milestones:
17th January: Crossing of the equator, marking her entry into the southern hemisphere.
26th January: Major damage to the boat, requiring rapid repairs by the entire shore team. Despite a damaged starboard rudder, Éric had to go to Cape Town, South Africa, for a 24-hour technical stop, in accordance with the race rules.
5th February: Deviation of trajectory to avoid a tropical depression, juggling with unstable weather conditions.
9th February: Successful rounding of Cape Leeuwin, one of the three formidable capes on her course.
18th February: Reaching Point Nemo, the furthest point from any land on our planet, lost in the heart of the Pacific.
21th February: The ultimate consecration, rounding Cape Horn, that mythical point that symbolises victory over the elements. Éric Péron breaks the record for crossing the Pacific Ocean in 9 days, 15 hours, 50 minutes and 10 seconds.
The yachtsman encountered difficult weather conditions in the South Atlantic, before enjoying a good pace in the Northern section, finally returning to the port of Brest on March 13th.
As Official Timekeeper of the ARKEA ULTIM CHALLENGE - Brest, Alpina had the privilege of measuring the time and witnessing the impressive performances of the skippers who took part in this epic competition. The event was an opportunity for Alpina to demonstrate its commitment to the world of sailing and its support for those who push the boundaries of exploration and adventure at sea.
TWO LIMITED EDITIONS DEDICATED TO THE RACE
Alpina unveils two limited editions dedicated to racing, combining the rigour and robustness of Alpina's Extreme line with the DNA of the Seastrong collection. These limited editions represent the perfect marriage of the two worlds, creating unique and exclusive collectors' items, available in only 100 and 150 pieces.
These exceptional watches are presented in a 41mm steel case, available with a steel or rubber strap, with a silver dial evoking the foam of the sea, or a blue dial recalling the tumultuous waves. Every detail has been carefully thought out to capture the spirit of the race and the very essence of adventure at sea.
The case of these limited editions is certified water-resistant to 200 meters thanks to a solid, screw-down caseback engraved with the name of the race. This feature not only guarantees the robustness of these watches, but also serves as a reminder of Alpina's commitment to excellence and performance in the most extreme conditions at sea.
Alpina's racing limited editions are more than just watches; they are testaments to the adventure, passion and determination of sailors who push the boundaries of exploration at sea. By combining cutting-edge technology with elegant and functional design, Alpina offers sailing and watch enthusiasts unique timepieces that capture the spirit of the ocean and of competition.
Alpina has brought all its expertise to bear to keep track of the challenge, focusing on two key concepts: accuracy and robustness. And for this extreme environment in which every second counts, the Maison can draw on one hundred and forty years of experience.
Two dedicated limited editions to commemorate the race
Founded in 1883, Alpina was birthed in the shadow of the Alps. The two timepieces unveiled for the ARKEA ULTIM CHALLENGE – Brest bear witness to these origins and reap the fruits of this historic heritage for the benefit of ocean-going yacht racing. To do so, they’ve adopted the structure of the imposing cushion-shaped 41-millimetre Extreme case. The steel used for this case is designed to withstand the harshest environments; the crown features a grip devised to be adjusted even amid ocean spray. The case is certified water resistant to 200 metres thanks to a solid, screw-down caseback, on which the name of the race is engraved. It houses the Swiss Made AL-525 automatic movement, boasting a 38-hour power reserve driving three central hands and a date display at six o’clock.
A 100% steel version
The first limited edition of 100 pieces, engraved with ‘1 out of 100’ on the caseback, comes in an all-steel housing comprising the case, bezel and strap. The non-reflective sapphire crystal reveals a deep navy blue dial engraved with Alpina’s triangular emblem. Around it, large, luminous hour markers denote hours and minutes, indicated by two openwork, hand-polished hands with luminous tips. Beneath these at six o’clock lies the trident-shaped ARKEA ULTIM CHALLENGE – Brest logo. As befits the high standards of Swiss workmanship, the watch features a satin finish throughout and a crown grip that matches the dial colour.
A blend of steel and rubber
The second version, limited to 150 pieces and numbered in the same fashion, has a sportier look and feel with more contrasts. The dial is silvered, while blue is reserved for the strap and flange – and, more unusually, the hand-polished hour markers and hands, thanks to a blue luminous coating specially developed to match the race colours. This powerful, contemporary design features the Alpina emblem as a triangular second hand counterweight that echoes the race logo at six o’clock, both done out in the same shade of bright red – a visual embodiment of the alliance of Alpina’s expertise and the determination typical of the extreme yachtsmen taking part in the ARKEA ULTIM CHALLENGE – Brest.
In for the long haul
Éric Péron will be one of the first to benefit from this piece of precision engineering. The top-level skipper has sailed in major crewed and single-handed yacht races on Olympic courses and ocean-going challenges in French waters and worldwide, and has been an Alpina ambassador since October 2023. His love of the extreme and his taste for challenge will be considerable assets for this race timed by Alpina, during which he will need to handle complex, extreme and dangerous situations all on his own.
Alpina’s commitment to ocean-going racing is a long-term one. Extending through until at least 2026, it will also include the next edition of the Route du Rhum – Destination Guadeloupe, a race that sees more boats in multiple categories cross the starting line than any other.
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The horological migratory season has begun! The Alpiner Extreme Automatic outdoor watch inspired by the Alps has temporarily taken flight from its native Switzerland for a winter sun break: for the first time in its history, it’s been decked out with a California dial. First trademarked in 1941, this dial design features a clever blend of Arabic and Roman numerals, dashes and triangles designed to make reading the time from any angle error-proof. Alpina has made the dial more readable still by combining vintage luminous beige hands and hour markers with a black dial, all housed in the collection’s imposing and iconic steel cushion case. The 41x42.5mm Alpiner Extreme Automatic California Dial comes on a rubber strap – and like its fellows, is powered by the trusty AL-525 calibre.
Watchmaking history is replete with ingenious inventions. Alpina has contributed plenty of its own, not least by establishing the core principles of sports watches almost one hundred years ago: timepieces that are non-magnetic, waterproof, rustproof, and impact-resistant. This legacy endures in most of its models today, including the Alpiner Extreme. Meanwhile, another more stylistic development dating from the inter-war years has also sparked enthusiasm among collectors: the California dial.
A fascinating piece of watchmaking history
As wristwatches became more widespread and came to perform a more functional role, more particularly for pilots and divers, the need emerged for a dial that would be error-proof, preventing wearers from making any mistakes when reading its indications. The need was all the more pressing in that back then, dials featured both Arabic and Roman numerals, with no consensus as to how the latter should be written: the figure 4 could be represented by IIII or IV; 8 could be VIII or IIX, while 12 might be left out altogether, often replaced by a brand’s logo. Not only that, the figure 6 could be mistakenly read upside-down as 9, a potentially fatal error for aviators in flight – or during an ocean dive.
The heir to the greatest tool watches
The California dial was devised to solve this issue. Between the 1940s and 1980s, it was mostly to be seen on tool watches before becoming a fashion in its own right. It became known as the California dial as a result of collectors’ keen interest in the style in the 1980s, when many of the models in question were to be found in the US state of that name.
Today, Alpina’s Alpiner Extreme is very much in step with the original ethos of the California dial: a watch born on the steep slopes of the Alps, designed by mountaineers, and now worn by outdoor thrill-seekers everywhere.
Zero misread
The timepiece’s new dial is nigh impossible to misread. Arabic numerals are used for the 8 and the 4, while the 6 is represented by a dash that can’t possibly be mistaken for a 9. The 3 and 9 hour markers are also dashes; confusion is avoided by them being located between two full figures, one Arabic, one Roman, ensuring they will be read correctly.
Discerning connoisseurs will appreciate a happy coincidence, too: on California dials, the 12 is portrayed by a triangle – which, fortuitously enough, echoes Alpina’s own logo, a red triangle symbolising the Alpine summits. Indeed, one such triangle is to be found (as usual) serving as the counterweight on the seconds hand; another is located just above the brand name. To boost readability still further, Alpina has combined vintage luminous beige hands and hour markers with a black dial. A date window at 3 o’clock provides the finishing touch.
]]>Some people swear by the GMT function: the central hand that can be adjusted to show the time in the second time zone of their choice. Others prefer the Worldtimer, where the time can be adjusted to any of the 24 main time zones. Now, for the first time, you no longer need to choose: with the new Startimer Pilot Quartz Worldtimer, it’s up to the traveller to decide; the watch adapts.
Born to travel
The Startimer Pilot Quartz Worldtimer is designed to travel the world, brimming over with technology packed into a diameter of just 41 millimetres. In line with Alpina’s outdoors mindset, it comes in a steel case with a navy blue, alpine green or black dial. On each version, two semi-circles in different colours distinguish the 12 daytime hours from their 12 night-time counterparts. Two versions come on an ultra-rugged steel bracelet, while the third sports a vintage-style leather strap. All feature the guaranteed accuracy of a quartz movement with a battery life of some 4 years, and are certified water resistant to 10 ATM.
]]>“If you don't know where you've come from, you don't know where you're going” is a saying that applies to most art forms – and all the more so in watchmaking, where progress has involved a process of accretion over a period of 250 years that continues to inform the watches we wear today.
In its 140th anniversary year, Alpina has thus sought to provide a reminder of the contribution made by its Calibre 490 movement to contemporary watchmaking. It represents something of a crossroads: a shape and top-level finishing typical of the refined elegance befitting distinguished watches, intersecting with a number of innovations bearing witness to Alpina’s concomitant desire to launch into the world of sturdy and robust watches designed by the firm today. In sum, it’s a rare and valuable calibre, unveiled at a key moment in Alpina’s history.
A highly accomplished movement
Back in 1938, the Calibre 490 already embodied Alpina’s emerging vision. It features a patented crown incorporating protection against dust – an key milestone, already making the case airtight and a first step on the way to the watertight case that would later become standard.
The movement, protected by Swiss registered patent no. 158882, is characterised by a simple, robust construction but no less perfectly finished for that: all of its components are bevelled, and the ratchet is sun-brushed. It’s also worth noting that this is a genuine in-house calibre, designed, assembled and finished by one of the firms in the Union Horlogère, Alpina’s original entity – a particularity seldom seen in the 1930s when generic ébauches (movement-blanks) were the market norm and manufacture movements the exception.
Only a few period examples of this historic calibre have survived; Alpina has found and restored a small number of them to mark its 140th anniversary celebrations.
An avant-garde construction
This exceptionally rare witness to Alpina’s golden age is thus making a comeback in its original form in 2023. It’s a shaped movement in the finest watchmaking tradition, according to which the movement should reign supreme, dictating the shape of the case rather than the other way around.
Hand-wound like almost all calibres of its day, it comprises 17 jewels and oscillates at 18,000 vibrations per hour (2,5 Hz), the standard frequency for Thirties timepieces. Its 42-hour power reserve is notably capacious for its time; another distinctive feature is the slender anchor design required to fit within the rectangular layout of the Calibre 490.
A highly robust case
Back in the day, the case was made from steel or gold depending on the model. One steel case was itself protected by a patent (No. 207378) and described as being ‘stainless’, offering further evidence of Alpina’s obsession with making its timepieces resistant to wear and tear.
The few such cases that have survived are equipped with a number of components designed to maintain two seals under pressure to achieve some degree of watertightness. Several firms went on to draw inspiration from the patent in question in pursuit of the same goal.
Clad in silver
Today, Alpina has designed a new bespoke case to house its Calibre 490, naming the new model after it: Heritage Carrée Mechanical 140 Years. Made from mirror polished silver, it measures 29.5 x 35.7mm. With a thickness of just 9.71 millimetres, it features an anti-glare sapphire crystal on both front and rear, through which the venerable beauty of the period Calibre 490 can be admired. The timepiece comes on a light brown ostrich leather strap, with vintage white stitching and pin buckle.
Two variations of the piece are available, each in a limited edition of 14. Both feature Alpina’s period logo, two slim central hands and the small seconds hand display at 6 o’clock so typical of the 1930s. A ‘railtrack’ minute circle, also typical of the period, runs around the dial. On one version the dial is black with solid Arabic numerals, accompanied by beige hands and a circular small seconds hand display. The other version sports a silvered dial, black hands and the squarer outline Arabic numerals favoured in the Roaring Twenties, along with a square small seconds hand display.
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A diver through and through
Evocative of the rounded curves of a porthole, the Seastrong Diver 300 Automatic Calanda’s 100% recycled stainless steel 42 mm case is polished with a satin finish to the same high standards as a traditional stainless steel case. The unidirectional rotating notched bezel is made from traditional stainless steel with a brushed finish and a 60-minute scale, often used to time immersion and increments. The central hour and minute hands embedded with vintage beige luminescent matter count down the time, complete with a seconds hand with a red triangle tip – the Alpina logo.
A matte black dial encircles the whole, studded with appliqué indices with the same vintage beige luminescent detailing, and a date window at the three o’clock mark. The Seastrong Diver 300 Automatic Calanda is water-resistant up to 300 metres thanks to its full screw-in case back and crown, embellished with the Seastrong collection’s hallmark motif: Alpina’s beloved mountain peaks, layered under a trident in a nod to the watch's deep-sea personality. With its AL-525 automatic movement, the Seastrong Diver 300 Automatic Calanda boasts 38 hours of power reserve.
A commitment to a cause
In line with the company’s eco-friendly policy, the new Seastrong Diver 300 Automatic Calanda sits atop a recycled plastic (PET) wristband in harmonious grey and black. Each watch comes in a case entirely made from recycled plastic, alongside a single-page warranty and a certificate of authenticity printed on FSC Recycled-certified paper, thereby cutting back on the amount of paper and ink used. The user guide, meanwhile, has gone paperless, and is available in digital format via a QR code printed on the box’s inner packaging, here too made from recycled plastic bottles (rPET).
As part of Alpina’s We Shape the Change eco-friendly policy, the Seastrong Diver 300 Automatic Calanda sets out to build awareness of the environmental issues and crisis our planet is currently facing, both within the industry and among the general public.
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Three new summer shades
With its new light brown finish, the first dial exudes timeless wisdom and distinction, while the subtly sparkling peppermint version gives the Alpiner Comtesse Quartz a more natural, lively and original aspect. The third alternative combines lilac with a hint of pink for a decidedly early-morning, flowery, feminine feel. The three new dials all feature a sun-brushed finish; the slightest ray of sunlight really makes them shine!
Just like any other family, the three new Alpiner Comtesse Quartz models share the same DNA – and the same price tag, offering excellent value for money given their outstanding technical and stylistic quality.
Each piece uses the same steel case to provide optimum impact resistance in a petite 34-millimetre diameter that’s both minimalistic and elegant. The finish features alternating matte and polished surfaces, notably on the three-link steel strap, ready to gleam when caught by the light. At the same time, these beautiful timepieces are built to withstand the rigours of everyday use, with a screw-down crown making them water-resistant to depths of 100 metres, a non-reflective sapphire crystal, and a robust double-clasp buckle equipped with two pushers to secure the watch firmly on the wrist for sports and urban wear.
Simple, efficient, and readable
On the dial, each of the three pieces features three central hands and a date window at 6 o’clock. Owners can tell the time effortlessly at any time of day or night: the hour and minute hands are luminous, as are the applique hour markers. Alpina connoisseurs will recognise the triangular counterweight on the seconds hand, a discreet reminder of the alpine summits that gave their name to the brand. Similarly, a subtle minute circle with Arabic numerals around the flange recalls the sporting lineage of the Alpiner Comtesse Quartz.
When it comes to precision, the three new watches offer everything one expects of legendary Swiss Made accuracy thanks to a quartz movement powering the hours, minutes, seconds, and date functions and a battery life of nearly four years (45 months), making the timepiece the most faithful of companions for even the longest of adventures.
The nineteenth edition of the extremely challenging Absa Cape Epic mountain bike marathon will once again take place over 8 days, from 19th to 26th March 2023. During the eight extremely difficult stages, riders will struggle with dust, rocks, sand and most likely extreme temperatures. They will have to ride a total of 658 kilometers across the Western Cape with an elevation gain of 15,775 meters but there will also be plenty of singletracks which are typical for this race. However, the Canyon Northwave MTB Team is already training hard for the brutal ascents and technical descents.
Under the supervision of team manager Kristian Hynek two racing duos are preparing for the queen of stage race, the Absa Cape Epic. He personally won this stage race together with Robert Mennen in 2014 and then came second twice in a pair with three times world champion Alban Lakata. He is therefore in a great position to lead the team. During his career Kristian also won two bronze (2012, 2016) and one silver medal (2019) from the World Championships, the European Marathon title (2012), two Czech XCM titles (2013, 2018) and a whole lot of other world achievements which makes him the perfect team leader who has plenty of experience to pass on.
The first duo is composed of Martin Stošek and Andreas Seewald. Martin, who is one of the world’s top marathon riders, has the title of Czech Republic champion, a bronze medal from the 2020 World Championship and the 2021 European Championship has partnered with Andreas who won the UCI World Mountain Bike Marathon title in 2021, was second at the World Championship 2022 and became the German national champion. Last year they both dominated the race until the last stage when they lost the overall lead and finished second. It means that this year they are hungrier for success more than ever before!
At the start in the picturesque area of the Meerendal Wine Estate, the Canyon Northwave MTB Team will be accompanied by a second duo, including the new addition to the team, the promising Swiss rider Marc Stutzmann.
Three questions for Andreas Seewald
How do you prepare for such a difficult race as the Absa Cape Epic?
I train between 15 to 30 hours a week throughout the season but it really depends on whether or not there are any races going on at the particular time. Currently I’m somewhere around 20 hours a week in the saddle. There is a bit problem with the timing, because the Cape Epic is in the second half of March, which means there’s still cold weather here in Europe. That means there is necessary to organize training camps. We did a training camp in Mallorca and now we are getting prepared for Spain with the team in January. Also, we need to arrive in Africa in advance, mainly for acclimatization.
How many times have you participated in this marathon?
I had the opportunity to start twice at Cape Epic. Both times we had really good chances to win, but although we were in really good shape, we had big complications in the last stage and didn’t manage to win. We will try to fix that now again with Martin Stošek. I believe we will manage to leave our rivals behind us to show them our back which, by the way, feature Alpina Watches logo. We just need to avoid mistakes and of course have some luck.
What kind of watch are you wearing?
I am wearing a mechanical Alpina Startimer Pilot Heritage. I really like their simple minimalist dial which is really easy to see and read even while I’m doing any kind of sport. I think it’s a great fit for me and I wear them almost all the time.
Alpina will join Canyon Northwave MTB team for the extreme marathon race Cape Epic in Africa
Extremely rare and unique. The Startimer Pilot Heritage is one of Alpina’s most exclusive lines, as was the timepiece it is inspired from and that can now no longer be found. Originally, not just a design, but also and mostly a movement. Its fans call it the “bumper”: a very rare automatic calibre that relies on a short travel oscillating weight. Instead of being wound by a conventional rotor turning 360° on itself, the “bumper” only travels a third of this distance, after which it is pushed back in the opposite direction by a return spring. An ingenious creation which, at the time of the first automatic movements, tested out an original way of optimising their winding. And a witness of the creativity of the Alpina watchmakers of the time.
Shared inspirations
Today, Alpina is offering two new limited editions which celebrate this watchmaking curiosity which is highly sought-after since extremely difficult to find. They supplement the two current Startimer Pilot Heritage Manufacture watches in the collection, with two proposals with very different looks.
Their DNA is shared, embodying the continuity of the Startimer Pilot Heritage spirit: a cushion case (the only one at Alpina), a vintage “railway” type minutes hand, a crown at 4 o’clock, a calfskin strap with beige top-stitching and beige vintage luminescent indexes which reproduce the natural patina of the Startimers of the time. All of which are deployed on a brushed-finish dial.
Two very exclusive series
The first version, in a gilded yellow gold-plated case, displays a grey champagne dial making the applied Arab numerals and hands very easy to read – a key quality for a watch initially made for pilots. The case is entirely polished, except for its upper surface which repeats the dial’s textured pattern.
The second version has an intense navy-blue dial, also brushed, in a steel box repeating the same alternation of polished and brushed surfaces. Since the dial is in a deep colour, the hands are silver in order to preserve the required readability.
As required by the history of the Startimer Pilot, these two Heritage Manufacture creations are driven by an Alpina in-house automatic mechanical movement, the AL-709 calibre, offering 38 hours of power reserve. Entirely visible through a sapphire back, its oscillating weight repeats the iconic shape of the “bumper” model and follows in its footsteps, now turning 330°. Each watch, measuring 2x40.75 mm, is certified waterproof to a depth of 100 metres and is limited to 188 pieces.
Three colours for a single price
The crown matches the three new variations of the Alpiner Extreme Automatic: all-black, midnight blue and forest green, echoing Alpina’s alpine origins. Each version shares luminescent white indexes (doubled at midday), two hands, also luminescent, completed by the second hand with the famous red triangle tip, the brand’s logo. Each of these dials is overlaid with the same, finely stamped, triangle design. It creates a slight raised pattern on the timepiece giving it body and personality and allowing it to capture the light with a unique shine.
Lovers of intricate mechanisms will not be disappointed. The AL-525 calibre is totally visible through a sapphire back. Automatic, it offers 38 hours of power reserve. But the hardest thing is still to come: choosing! Indeed these three new non limited timepieces, are available at the same price, one of the most attractive on the market of fine Swiss Made watchmaking and crafted for adventure, Alpina’s primary mission.
During the event, the Brand will have a pop-up store on the promenade in Westerland, in addition to many sponsorship activities. What’s more, Alpina will support the official Sylt "BEACH CLEAN UP" on October 1st, 2022.
"We are very proud to be a partner of the Mercedes-Benz Windsurf World Cup Sylt 2022 and are very excited to bring our high-quality watches to this cool surf community, The sustainability claim of the Alpina brand is perfectly reflected in the jointly initiated Beach Clean up at the end of the event," Markus Rettig, Managing Director, Alpina Germany.
The spectators can look forward to spectacular and exciting sports, as this event is the final stop of the PWA World Tour. The world champions in the wave, slalom and freestyle disciplines will be determined on Brandenburg Beach and crowned on the final day. The total prize money of the largest windsurfing event in the world is 85,000 euros.
Liam Dunkerbeck - Junior World Champion and new Brand Ambassador
Born on February 11th, 2004 in Gran Canaria, 18-year-old Liam Dunkerbeck is already a Junior World Champion in windsurfing. The son of the 42 times Windsurfing World Champion, Björn Dunkerbeck, the talent was put in the cradle.
Not to be denied, Liam Dunkerbeck sees himself as an "Allround Waterman" - the love for this element having determined his life so far. Already as a young boy, he was fascinated by the water and the sea. This is how the cooperation with the watch manufacturer Alpina came about: the Swiss company is committed to protecting the world's oceans.
Liam wears the Seastrong Diver Gyre Automatic watch, a model that not only brings a breath of fresh air to the diving watch design, but also sparked a huge wave of support for more responsible, eco-friendly watchmaking within the Maison.
]]>Experience and ability with the Mont-Blanc as decor.
On two artificial structures, the climbing walls for speed and lead world cups, are put outside, at the foot of the Mont-Blanc. A common wish shared by the town of Chamonix and by organizers for everybody to enjoy the amazing and rare panorama that offers the Mont-Blanc range.
Base camp in Chamonix : ambiance guaranteed !
Alpina is proud to be the Official Timekeeper of this event since 2021.
Check out the link to find out more about this event! https://chamonixsport.com/en/sections/coupe-du-monde-d-escalade
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A young, sporting, welcoming and international destination, Val Thorens will celebrate the 50 years of happiness it has given to its visitors and inhabitants next season (2022-23). Having already maintained close links with Val Thorens for several years, Alpina is celebrating this anniversary a little in advance by becoming the timekeeping partner of the resort in 2022.
Look, it’s time to go!
This year, all the white gold and winter sports enthusiasts will be notified in real time every time it snows thanks to a “Powder Alarm”, redirecting towards a snowcam displaying the time on an Alpina clock - representing the dial of its iconic Alpiner4 Automatic watch - and a Salomon ski measuring how much snow has fallen. Just what’s needed to spur you to get your kit on and get out onto the slopes.
Alpina, Val Thorens and skicross
The story linking Alpina to Val Thorens goes back several years. The French capital of skicross, this discipline whereby four athletes compete against each other on a technical course comprising banked turns, bumps and jumps makes it a spectacular one. Val Thorens traditionally each year hosts two stages of the Skicross World Cup, of which Alpina has been the Official Timekeeper for the past three seasons. And this connection between the Val Thorens Sports Club was created in particular through the Olympic skicross champion (2014) from the resort, Jean-Frédéric Chapuis, who has been a member of the Alpina team of athletes since 2017.
Drawing its inspiration from the mountains since its creation in 1883, Alpina attaches great important to supporting sportspeople as well as the environments in which they express themselves. Since Alpina had already forged a solid relationship with the French skier, its rapprochement to the resort came naturally, resulting in it now becoming the timekeeping partner of Val Thorens for 2022.
Alpiner4 Automatic, the sports watch par excellence
Alpina’s emblem, the Alpiner4 Automatic is the direct descendant of the Alpina 4, the most senior among sports watches. When its designer Gottlieb Hauser - Alpina’s founder - laid down the foundations in 1938, no one suspected that his vision would lead to almost a century of Swiss watchmaking devoted to sport.
Simply put, he identified a must-have that still remains unsurpassable today; a sports watch that had to be anti-magnetic, shock-resistant, water-resistant and rust-resistant.
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Startimer Pilot Automatic: elegance in flight
For this occasion, the Startimer Pilot Automatic has a new date window at 6 o’clock, unlike the previous version where it featured at 3 o’clock. Hours, minutes, seconds and the date are powered by the FC-525 automatic movement, thus continuing the tradition of pilots’ watches. With its understated, sporty and elegant aesthetic, the new lines come in three variations.
The first, with a black dial, is designed entirely in steel: case, bezel and three-link bracelet, alternating between polished and satin-finish surfaces. The hands as well as the white-coloured index markers encourage perfect legibility, with a modern and functional aesthetic for a piece designed for an everyday lifestyle.
The second version with a black dial and a steel case opts for a raw-touch black calfskin leather strap, adorned with top-stitching in a similar tone to the index markers - a vintage off-white reminiscent of the heritage this version is inspired by.
The third version flaunts a trendy blue dial, combined with a steel case, all set on a brown calfskin leather strap with off-white topstitching. The final detail that will be appreciated by collectors: this vintage strap is trimmed in red, the same colour as the Alpina logo on the counterweight of the central seconds hand.
Startimer Pilot Quartz Chronograph Big Date: the peak of precision
The new Startimer Pilot Quartz Chronograph Big Date maintains its fundamental details, namely its large date and its bicompax chronograph. Ideal for calculating flight times, the latter enables times to be measured to the tenth of a second, and over twelve consecutive hours. Positioned at 6 o'clock, the large date is displayed in two separate windows, one for the tens and the other for the ones. Two watch-making details that are rarely combined, this partnership will appeal to lovers of fine Swiss made watches.
The Startimer Pilot Quartz Chronograph Big Date is already available in three versions. The first one focuses on robustness, with a steel bracelet, steel case and a black dial with two large luminous hands.
The second one pairs an olive green dial with a black PVD-coated steel case, reminiscent of a military khaki fibre that will delight fighter aviation enthusiasts. Beige hands and index markers, as well as the luminescent material, echo its brown calfskin leather strap, featuring off-white topstitching with a vintage accent, in a chromatic balance that demonstrates Alpina's attention to detail.
The third offers a brand new petrol blue dial, with white hands and index markers for perfect legibility. Set on a brown calfskin leather strap with off-white topstitching, its steel case creates a perfect contrast, bringing a resolutely modern combination to life. Very trendy, young and dynamic, this variation will appeal to flight enthusiasts and urban explorers alike.
Powered by the AL-372 quartz movement, it guarantees an autonomy of at least four years - enough to take off on a trip with peace of mind.
Inspired by nature and by its fans
Close to nature, close to its community: Since its creation, Alpina has maintained a close and exclusive connection with its native mountains, the Alps, and with all the sports men and women who climb its peaks with their bare hands or ski down its slopes.
When Alpina decided to produce three new timepieces to mark its eco-responsible commitment, its community suggested...5,900 different names for them! And hundreds of variations of cases, straps, dials and hands.
The Alpiner4 Chronograph “Granite” is one of the names that emerged as the winner from this outpouring of enthusiasm. This acclaimed timepiece is now being included in the collection as the “Alpiner4 Chronograph Automatic” to meet the demand of its community. It is still inspired by the granite spirit. Why? Because it has a steel case which recalls Alpine granite. Because its strap, also made of steel - this strong material which meets one of the basic criteria of a sports watch whose solidity must be guaranteed - makes it the perfect tool watch, ready for climbing peaks. Because its light-blue dial, inspired by Alpine lakes, is bang on trend! All attributes that have won over the Alpina community and which will now be offered to all the collectors of fine Swiss Made watchmaking. But that’s not all...
Between forests and granite
Harnessing the spirit and inspiration of the initial model, Alpina is completing its new Alpiner4 Chronograph Automatic line with two other variations. The first inherits the feature of its elder sibling: a strong steel 44 mm case waterproof to 100 metres with an engraved back, anti-impact and anti-magnetic, sapphire glass, steel strap, bi-directional rotary bezel and 24-hour graduated flange. But use of the “granite” colour is pushed to the limit, with a brand new grey sunray dial. With the colour shade varying with the position of the sun, it allows the chronograph’s red minute hand to stand out providing perfect readability for extra accuracy and increased reading comfort.
The third version reconnects with the Alpine forests, thanks to a fir green, sunray, lively and contemporary dial. To complete the sylvan metaphor, the piece is worn on a cork brown, calfskin strap with off-white overstitching. Like the two other models, this version has luminescent steel hands and is driven by the AL-860 movement, automatically wound, with 28,800 vibrations per hour and guaranteeing 55 hours of power reserve.
Bec des Rosses within reach
As is customary and to celebrate the renewal of its collaboration with the Freeride World Tour, Alpina is presenting a dedicated limited edition, which this year is called the Alpiner Quartz Chronograph and which will be produced in only 100 pieces.
A descendent of the famous Alpiner4, created by Alpina in 1938 and bringing together for the first time the 4 key features of a sports watch - anti-magnetic, shock resistant, waterproof and made of stainless steel – the Alpiner Quartz Chronograph Freeride World Tour 2022 proudly pays tribute to it by reproducing these fundamental principles, to which it has added a chronograph.
A sporting complication par excellence, it is differentiated on the black dial by three counters enhanced by a silver circle, in whose centre the hands turn, covered in a luminescent material, echoing the hour and minute hands. At 12 o’clock, instead of the famous Alpina red triangle – which finishes the seconds hand here – the Freeride World Tour logo sits proudly. Representing decidedly and obviously alpine peaks, its natural place is assuredly on this time piece, the Alpiner collection being, since Alpina began, dedicated to the alpine world.
A 42 mm steel case houses everything, fitted to a three-link alternation of satin and polished links, echoing it. On the back of the watch, freeride fans can admire the legendary Bec des Rosses engraving, alongside the Freeride World Tour logo and the limited edition number X/100.
The power of quartz
As regards the movement, the choice of a quartz calibre offers the Alpiner Quartz Chronograph Freeride World Tour 2022 some exclusive strengths. The first, longevity in a class of its own, with autonomy of four and a half years, depending on use. If put aside for a day, a weekend, a month or even a year, this watch will always be fully operational, ready to climb new peaks.
The second, quartz is nearly totally shock resistant and guarantees chronometric accuracy far greater than that of a mechanical movement, for a fraction of its price. Finally, this movement also offers a date, a functional additional and useful for everyday use.
Markus Eder, an icon in freeriding
Thirty-year-old skier Markus Eder hails from South Tyrol in Italy and is regarded as a role model in the freeriding world. Despite starting out in alpine skiing, he could not help but be drawn in by the creativity and fun of freestyle skiing. From 2005, Markus focused on this discipline and his flair – combined with his artistic and competitive personality – soon allowed him to break onto the European scene and become a well-known international freestyler after winning the Nine Knights competition in Nebelhorn in Germany in 2010. As a park skier, Markus won the SFR Freestyle Tour in 2011 and competed at the 2014 Winter Olympic Games in Sotchi, Russia.
In 2011, Markus finished second in his first backcountry competition, the Red Bull Linecatcher (France). Before discovering the joys of freeriding and mountain exploration, this experience opened up new opportunities for his career, driven by an ambition to excel at freestyling and freeriding.
His vision for standing out among his freeriding competitors is to reinterpret steep ski lines by using his freestyle experience as an advantage. In 2012, Markus won the World Heli Challenge and took second place in the Freeride World Tour overall rankings 2018, before being crowned champion of the Freeride World Tour in 2019, the most prestigious title that a rider can obtain.
Between 2014 and 2018, Markus Eder starred in five films by Matchstick Productions (MSP Films), leading to a turning point in his career. In fact, two years later, he decided to move away from competitions so as to concentrate on making The Ultimate Run film, which received its world première at the High Five Festival in Annecy earlier this year. Acclaimed by his peers, the film is arguably one of the most impressive ever made in the ski world. Combining stunning sequences with absolute technical mastery in breathtaking routines, Markus demonstrates all his expertise and exceptional talent – not only a challenge, but an opportunity to inspire the future big names in freeriding.
A big thank you to planet Earth
To celebrate their collaboration and kick off the 2021/22 ski season, Alpina and Markus Eder have designed an exclusive 100-piece AlpinerX Alive limited edition, to the delight of watch collectors and freeriding fans.
Appreciative of the exceptional and almost infinite playground the mountains provided him with from an early age, Markus now pays a very special tribute to them, while conveying a powerful message. Adorned with a logo representing three Alpine peaks at 12 o’clock, an elegant grey dial reveals a map of the world filled with red and raised designs, denouncing the danger currently facing the planet – this rich and bountiful Mother Earth – now caught in the stranglehold of global warming. To reinforce its eco-responsible approach, the timepiece has been mounted on a vegetable leather strap, one of the first of its kind in the world of watchmaking, made from recycled apple waste. It also draws on the athlete and friend of the brand’s own ‘logo’.
As a little extra personal touch, the water-resistance mark has been signed by the Italian freerider. Characterised by subtle contrasts and shades of grey, luminescent silver-tone hands echoing the hour markers complete the dial, which is housed in a 44 mm steel case topped with a bidirectional bezel.
Connected in every way
Designed for outdoor enthusiasts, this watch features a new generation heart rate sensor developed by Philips Wearable Sensing, plus GPS and activity monitor, among many other functions. These new features are offered in addition to the perpetual calendar, second time zone, chronograph, sleep tracker and personalised notifications. All of this is now available on a new high resolution AMOLED touch screen.
Its rechargeable battery provides up to seven days of complete autonomy. This model uses the Alpina Smartwatch app and sends data to the watch in real-time to help you improve your performance.
The only one of its kind, it never ceased to think big, with an intense program: world and European previews of ski and snowboard films, a village where brands unveiled their new equipment, signing sessions with pro-riders, an ephemeral restaurant, and a flurry of entertainment.
Partner for the third consecutive year of this event which celebrated its 10th anniversary, the Swiss watch manufacturer Alpina was pleased to support the High Five Festival, marking the kick-off of the winter season. On this occasion, Alpina offered a watch to the winners of the Golden High Five during the Before Party on Thursday evening, honouring the best ski movies in the following seven categories: Ski Movie Of The Year; Snowboard Movie Of The Year; Short Movie Of The Year; Best Male Athlete Of The Year; Best Female Athlete Of The Year; High Buzz and the Honorary Award.
Enak Gavaggio, one of the most emblematic figures in the world of skiing, and an Alpina ambassador for several years now, won the Honorary Award for his entire career as an athlete, but also for his contribution and involvement in this universe. During the weekend, Enak also presented the latest episode of the Rancho Webshow webseries, which has become a cult for all fans of the alpine world.
On Saturday, October 2nd, Alpina also organized a signing session with its Alpinists team, athletes and brand ambassadors Juliette Willmann, Enak Gavaggio, Markus Eder, Ugo Troubat, Sébastien Varlet, Kaditane Gomis and Victor De Le Rue.
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There can only be one must-have; Alpina's iconic Startimer Pilot range is the only one devoted to aviation, the conquest of the skies, its history and its future. Its timepieces are tailored to pilots, offering all that flying requires: resilience, readability and precision.
Through this exercise, the mechanical watch laid the foundations for aviation-related watchmaking, more than a century ago. Many collectors remain very attached to it, but the evolution of watchmaking technology has provided another solution to pilots’ needs... quartz.
Now perfectly integrated into the Startimer Pilot range, it promises unparalleled precision, autonomy that has gone from a few days to a few years, as well as the ability to withstand the most unlikely aerobatics.
The first luxurious option features a rose gold-plated case that houses a radiant navy blue dial embellished with three black counters and rose gold plated hands. It comes with a brown calfskin leather strap with off-white topstitching.
The other two affordable editions feature steel cases. The first has a clandestine feel inspired by night flying and features a midnight blue dial with black counters, emphasised by a complementary black calfskin leather strap with off-white topstitching. Setting the second steel version apart are three silver snailed counters that really stand out against the deep navy blue dial for improved readability.
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Oceanic inspirations
These two new limited editions feature new shades of blue, a colour with multiple variations that continues to inspire Alpina designers.
On these 44 mm and 36 mm men's and women's models, which are water-resistant to 300 metres thanks to their screw-down crowns, the idea is to offer a striking contrast between the darkest seabed, where the light can no longer penetrate, and the surface waters which, depending on the region of the world, range from intense blue to the most sparkling turquoise.
The black dial features a turquoise minute track with silver luminescent markers, so that the time can be read even underwater in reduced light. A detail that Alpina collectors will not fail to notice: the counterweight of the seconds hand, the famous Alpina red triangle, has been made exclusively for this model with the same turquoise tone.
The unidirectional 60-minute graduated bezel, made of steel with a blue PVD treatment, gives pride of place to this colour, a symbol of the great depths, where the sunlight no longer reaches. Markers for each ten minutes are placed on it. Black in appearance, they are in fact luminescent and will enable the wearer to determine the time of immersion or decompression by adjusting the bezel opposite the two large luminescent hour and minute hands.
The NATO-type woven strap is the perfect synthesis of the colours expressed on the watch, with a black central band and a turquoise edge. The second strap delivered with the men's model is entirely black, reproducing the look of leather but in a vegetal way, for a more urban and classic watchmaking look. Each model is equipped with the AL-525 calibre, offering 38 hours of power reserve, and will be exclusively limited to 288 pieces.
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