lpina reinterprets a cornerstone of its collection. The iconic Startimer. Launched just fifteen years ago, the collection pays tribute to the pilots and aviation pioneers of the early 20^th century at a time when the Maison, founded in 1883, was already producing its first military pilot’s watches.

The collection’s relaunch is especially ambitious with a new case shape and finishes, new 40mm diameter, new La Joux-Perret movement, new dials on four never-before-seen models with three hands, and new straps. The year 2026 marks the complete rebirth of the Startimer collection.

Founded in 1883, Alpina became an official supplier of military watches made almost exclusively for pilots at the beginning of the 20^th century. These early pioneers of aviation held extremely strict requirements: their timepieces had to deliver absolute precision and maximum shock resistance. Readability was ensured by large Arabic numerals, wide hands, and luminous material for night-time visibility.

The crown was oversized so that it could be operated while wearing gloves, and the strap had to be long enough for the watch to be worn over a pilot’s flight suit. In 2011, Alpina returned to its rich aeronautical roots with the launch of the new Startimer collection, inspired by original Alpina designs from the 1920s and 1930s.

Fifteen years after its debut model was created, a squadron of four new Startimer models storm the Alpina pavilion at Watches and Wonders. This year, the aviation-inspired collection returns to centre stage more accomplished than ever. It marks a profound evolution for both the watch’s aesthetics and its technical characteristics, clearly reaffirming the Maison’s aviation heritage and mechanical expertise.

At the very first touch, new proportions are revealed, offering an entirely fresh feel. The 40mm case is more compact and its thickness reduced by nearly 10%. Paradoxically, this new size offers a stronger presence on the wrist. On the bezel, middle and between the lugs, all the edges of the case are bevelled. The bezel features a circular satin-brushed finish, the lugs and case middle are vertically satin-brushed, while all the chamfers are mirror-polished. The attention to detail and quality of execution are immediately apparent. The ensemble is topped with a new Aviation crown with grip, ensuring swift, efficient handling. Water resistance remains unchanged at 10 ATM.

In aviation, reliability and robustness are never optional, and having trust in one’s partners is paramount. For its new Startimer collection, Alpina has equipped each model with a self-winding movement manufactured by La Joux-Perret. A trusted partner on the adventure, the renowned Swiss Made calibre manufacturer has given the new Startimer collection an extended power reserve of 68 hours.

The movement is housed behind an exclusive steel case back. A hydraulic stamping process finely reproduces an aviation motif that pays tribute to the first pilots, in the distinctive Art Deco style that prevailed at a time when Alpina was already conquering the skies.

The dial has also been comprehensively reworked in pursuit of a bold aesthetic and refined readability. A new grained, velvet-like finish adorns the centre. The dial is encircled by a stepped flange featuring a white transferred minute circle, allowing for precise time reading. Similarly, the typography of the Arabic numerals has been updated. Each numeral is crafted from a single block of luminescent material and applied to the dial, as are the Alpina logo at 12 o’clock and the indexes. After dark, various luminous tones light up the dial: “old radium”, blue-green and green, depending on the model.

By day, the dials are presented in three matte variations: black, khaki and petrol blue, with two distinct models of the black version available. The first asserts a deliberately vintage feel, the only “all black” model with a black PVD-treated case. This choice recalls the steel “gun metal” pocket watches commonly found throughout the last century. In the same spirit, the indexes and centre of the hands are rendered in beige. Alpina pairs the design with the collection’s unique NATO strap in beige leather, fitted with steel loops also treated in black PVD.

The second black version has a sportier feel with white indexes, a woven Cordura fabric strap and red stitching. This vibrant tone showcases a Startimer logo especially redesigned for the model. The brand new typography omits the horizontal bar of the “A”, a subtle nod to Alpina’s triangular logo, symbolising the Alpine peaks that inspired the brand’s name. The other two models are fitted with straps in shades of brown, evoking classic aviator leather.

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

DIAL

• Black dial with grained velvety finishing
• Beige applied block indexes with green luminescence
• Outer ring with white minutes track
• Date window at 6 o’clock
• Silver-colored hour and minutes hands filled with beige luminous treatment
• Silver-colored seconds hand with red triangle

CASE

• Polished stainless steel 3-part case with black PVD coating
• Diameter of 40 mm / Thickness of 10,14 mm
• Lug width of 20 mm
• Aviator-style crown
• Anti-reflective sapphire crystal
• Threaded case back with hydraulic-stamped aviator motif >Water-resistant to 10 bar

MOVEMENT

• AL-525 movement La Joux-Perret base caliber, automatic
• 68-hour power reserve
• Diameter of 25,60 mm / 11 1⁄2 ́ ́ ́
• Thickness of 4,45 mm
• 198 components, 24 jewels
• Frequency : 28’800 alt/h (4 Hz)

STRAP

• Brown genuine leather NATO strap
• Steel pin buckle and loops with black PVD coating