ALPINA CALIBERS
During its 132-year history, Alpina has always been a manufacturer of calibers and complications. Among its remarkable 20th century calibers, one can find industry references such as the Cal. 877, the “engine” of the “Alpina Techno,” the handwinding Cal. 592, one of the sturdiest watch movements of its generation, and the famous 17 jewels self-winding 584 Caliber, also called the ‘Hammerautomatik’.
ALPINA IN-HOUSE MANUFACTURE CALIBERS
Since our comeback in 2002, we have launched five new in-house developed, produced and assembled calibers.With the introduction of the Tourbillon, the Regulator, the World Timer, the Small Date Automatic and the Flyback Chronograph Manufacture Calibers, Alpina has once again taken its rightful place among the small and select group of independent Swiss watch manufacturers that completely develop and produce their own calibers in-house.
A MANUFACTURE CALIBRE IS THE ULTIMATE ACHIEVEMENT IN THE ART OF HOROLOGYAND THE DEFINITIVE DEMONSTRATION OF A WATCHMAKER’S SKILLS.
AL-760 FLYBACK CHRONOGRAPH MANUFACTURE
After 132 years of history, we present our first fully in-house developed and produced chronograph caliber. Over four years went by between the initial concept and readiness for production. For good reasons our Master Watchmaker and engineers decided to adopt a modular construction for the new AL-760 caliber. This step permitted the use of the reliable and robust, tried and tested Alpina AL-710 automatic base caliber with a balance frequency of 4 Hertz, centre seconds and a date hand at 6 o’clock. This powerful movement, comprising 233 components (of which only 96 components for the flyback module) with a 38-hour power reserve, is particularly suitable for a drive mounted at the front, immediately under the dial. The ingenious and patented “direct flyback” construction of the chronograph mechanism is apparent not least from the fact that we were able to create it from only 96 parts, thus making it extremely robust and ideal for sports applications.
AL-980 TOURBILLON MANUFACTURE
The ultimate achievement in the art of watch making is the production of a Tourbillon calibre. Our AL-980 Tourbillon, developed in-house and produced uniquely at our workshop in Geneva, incorporates two major new technologies. A silicium escapement wheel and anchor give the calibre faultless accuracy, even under extreme conditions. Because of the light weight and exceptionally smooth surface of silicium, no oil is needed to lubricate the escapement mechanism. In addition, Alpina’s patented S.M.A.R.T. Weight Balancing System provides even further improvement to the movement’s already remarkable precision
AL-718 WORLDTIMER MANUFACTURE
Professional pilots and frequent travellers frequently face the same problem. They need to know what time it is when they cross time zones. Our engineers developed the AL-718 World Timer complication, at the heart of which is our AL-710 Manufacture calibre. The watch dial displays the time in 24 major world cities, as well as a night/day indication and a small date at the 6 o’clock position. The watch functions are extremely easy to operate, all through the timepiece’s single crown. The movement is finely decorated with fish scale bridges, and a “Côtes de Genève” design on the automatic device.
AL-950 REGULATOR AUTOMATIC
The AL-950 Automatic Regulator was the first Alpina Manufacture calibre produced following our comeback. The calibre was developed entirely in-house by our own engineers; the parts were machined on our CNC devices and each watch was individually assembled by our team of skilled and dedicated horological artisans.
ALPINA MECHANICAL MOVEMENTS
AL-880 REGATTA COUNTDOWN
The most important thing at the start of any regatta is crossing the start line right after the countdown. Based on the SW500 chronograph, Alpina developed an in-house mechanical module, specifically designed to time the five and 10-minute countdown to the start of a regatta. The countdown information is displayed in a highly visible manner. The dial of the watch has five eyes, the colours of which change from black to orange. In the event of any interruption to the regatta’s starting time, the AL-880 movement has a feature allowing the countdown to be held and then re-started when appropriate.
AL-860 AUTOMATIC CHRONOGRAPH
Based on the Sellita SW500 chronograph movement, the AL-860 chronograph calibre has been modified by Alpina to feature a “Bi-Compax” counter configuration for maximum readability, suitable for professional aviation requirements. Thoughtfully designed by our engineers and machined in Geneva on our CNC machines, this modification is then carefully assembled in our Plan-les-Ouates workshops by our team of skilled watch makers.
AL-725 AUTOMATIC CHRONOGRAPH
The AL-725 is a variation on the well-known Valjoux 7750 chronograph movement, in which the small second hand has been removed to create a vertical and easy-to-read automatic chronograph. A beautiful decoration completes this movement.