n 2023, Alpina celebrated its 140th anniversary and unveiled two series of 14 pieces each, powered by the authentic hand-wound Caliber 490 from 1938, restored and presented in a silver case. To ensure continuity in 2025, the Swiss watch manufacturer has decided to create a special Europe edition featuring one of its contemporary movements, the automatic mechanical Caliber AL-530. Adorned with a black dial and a small seconds counter, this new Alpiner Heritage Carrée Automatic Edition Europe embodies the Art Deco spirit of its original inspiration: a minimalist rectangular case, a “sector dial” minute track typical of the 1930s, dauphine hands, and of course, the original Alpina logo.

Drawing 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, unveiled today. It is the natural successor to the two highly limited series of just 14 pieces each, recently released to celebrate the brand’s 140th anniversary. Those editions featured a silver case and the authentic hand-wound mechanical movement from 1938, the Caliber 490.

The story of the Alpiner Heritage Carrée Automatic traces back to a 1938 reference whose movement and design stood at the crossroads of two fundamental directions in the early days of the wristwatch: on one hand, a refined shape and high level of finishing that reflected the elegance of prestigious timepieces; on the other, innovations that embodied Alpina’s desire to venture into the realm of durable and robust watches ; just as the brand continues to envision them today. All of this was expressed through a refined and sophisticated aesthetic, faithfully recreated in this new timepiece.

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

For ease of use and everyday maintenance, the case is crafted from stainless steel and fitted with a convex, anti-reflective sapphire crystal.

Inside beats the AL-530 automatic mechanical caliber, designed and refined in the 21st 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.

This watch displays hours, minutes, and small seconds, along with the period-correct Alpina logo, a “railroad track” minute scale, 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.

An exceptional and characterful composition, both strong and refined, that pays tribute to the timeless elegance of a bygone era — an elegance that has since become part of watchmaking tradition, largely shaped by Alpina, founded in 1883.

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

Alpiner Heritage Carrée Automatic Retail price : 1 850 CHF

Reference

• AL-530BBG3C6

Case

• Polished stainless steel, two-part case
• Dimensions: 32.5 x 39 mm ; thickness: 9.71 mm
• Domed, anti-reflective sapphire crystal
• Engraved and transparent screwed case back
• Water-resistant to 30 meters

Dial

• Matte black dial
• Beige printed indexes and beige minute track
• Beige hour and minute hands
• Small seconds at 6 o’clock with beige hand

Functions

• Hours, minutes, small seconds

Strap

• Black ostrich leather with black stitching
• Pin buckle

Movement

• Automatic, Caliber AL-530
• 38-hour power reserve, 28,800 vph, 31 jewels