rawing inspiration from watchmaking history is good. But drawing from one’s own heritage — the very one that helped shape that history — is even better. This is precisely the approach that guided the creation of the Alpiner Heritage Carrée Automatic Edition Europe. It is the natural successor to the two highly limited series of just 14 pieces each, released to celebrate the brand’s 140th anniversary. Those editions featured a silver case and the authentic hand-wound mechanical movement from 1938, Calibre 490.

Today, this model is equipped with an automatic movement that offers all the robustness and precision expected from a modern watch, housed within a case-and-dial combination that reflects the same commitment to exceptional finishing and timeless elegance.

This new variation retains the aesthetic of the original model, while incorporating optimisations that make it perfectly suited to modern daily wear. Its case has been slightly enlarged — by an average of three millimetres — yet remains true to the original proportions, measuring 32.5 x 39mm in diameter and only 9.71mm in height. The silhouette is elegant, ideal for both men and women.

This watch displays hours, minutes and small seconds, along with the period-correct Alpina logo, a railroad minute track and is paired with an ostrich leather strap featuring a pin buckle. Yet it asserts its own distinctive identity. Its black dial is adorned with baton indexes, a rectangular small seconds counter and beige hands.

Inside beats the AL-530 automatic mechanical calibre, designed and refined in the twenty-first century. Visible through the open case back, it offers a 38-hour power reserve and operates at a frequency of 28,800 vibrations per hour.

Price: CHF 1,850

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