Alpina Watches

Originally founded in 1883 by Alpinists who wanted sportier watches that could go the distance with them, Alpina has held true to the motto of delivering robust, reliable watches for divers, pilots, and outdoorsmen (and women). Today, the brand offers smart watches in the AlpinerX line, as well as mechanical watches, and partners with causes such as the National Parks Foundation in the USA to indicate its dedication to conservation.

The Watch Pages

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History of Alpina

The story of Alpina began in 1883 when Gottlieb Hauser founded the Alpina Swiss Watchmakers Corporation, uniting the leading Swiss independent watchmakers who became known as the “Alpinists.” The Union had its headquarters in Biel/Bienne, Switzerland, as one of its most prominent members had his movement factory there. By 1900 the Alpina Union Horlogère is participating in the Universal Exposition in Paris, and the name “Alpina” is registered for their calibers the following year. 1908 marks the 25th anniversary of Alpina, at which point Alpina registers as a brand name for wristwatches.

In the 1920s, Alpina introduced its famous “4” line of watches, which were designed for pilots and featured large, easy-to-read dials and high levels of accuracy. The company continued to innovate throughout the 20th century, producing a range of high-quality watches for various applications, including diving, racing, and aviation.

Alpina was the first watch brand to offer an international guarantee in 1926. Today most watches come with an international warranty, which we have come to expect.

Alpina’s watches are crafted with meticulous attention to detail, using only the finest materials, such as high-grade stainless steel, sapphire crystal, and premium leather straps. The movements are also a point of pride for Alpina, and the company is known for producing accurate, reliable, and durable calibers that are built to last. Overall, Alpina has a long and distinguished history of producing fine Swiss timepieces.

Alpina 4 Concept

Gottlieb Hauser had the vision to produce watches known worldwide for their quality, durability, precision, and design. He wanted to deliver the perfect watch to athletes, engineers, technicians, and adventurers. His dream became a reality in 1938 with the introduction of the “Alpina4” concept, which revolutionized the sports watch. He insisted that a sports watch must be antimagnetic, antishock, water-resistant, and in a stainless steel case. The “Alpina 4” quickly became the watch of choice for alpinists, pilots, divers, the navy, and the military.

Alpina Sport Watches

In 2003 Alpina presented its first sports collection under the new ownership. Since then, they have unveiled four entirely in-house complications and have successfully put Alpina back on the map when it comes to watches for extremely challenging sports environments. The Alpina Extreme Diver features a helium escape valve and a see-through case back with a water resistance of 1000 meters, the Extreme Tourbillon, the Extreme Sailing Yacht Timer countdown timer, the Startimer Pilot Worldtimer Manufacture, and many more. Alpina unveiled the first horological smartwatch, a Swiss-Made connected watch, in 2015.

Who Owns Alpina?

When the Quartz Crisis struck in the 1970s, Alpina was heavily impacted but managed to survive as an independent manufacture. The company was sold in the 1980s but lacked a clear directive. Luckily, the Dutch entrepreneurs and founders of Frederique Constant, Peter Stas and his wife, Aletta, purchased the brand in 2002. The brand was sold to the Citizen Group in 2016.

Fun Fact

In 1948, the watchmaking school at the cantonal polytechnic in Bienne chose the hand-wound Alpina’s caliber 592 for its students to work on. A recognition of the precision and reliability of the Alpina calibers.

Alpina Collections

Alpiner

The Alpina Alpiner collection is one of the brand’s most popular and well-known collections. The collection features a range of sporty yet sophisticated timepieces that are designed for use in a variety of environments, from the mountains to the city.

One of the standout features of the Alpiner collection is the classic design, which draws inspiration from vintage Alpina watches from the mid-20th century. The collection includes models with a variety of complications, including chronographs, GMT functions, and world timers.

The Alpiner collection also features several models with special features designed for specific activities, such as diving or racing. For example, the Alpina Alpiner 4 Automatic Diver features a unidirectional rotating bezel and is water-resistant to a depth of 300 meters, making it an ideal choice for diving enthusiasts.

Startimer

The Alpina Startimer collection is a line of watches that are inspired by aviation and designed for pilots and aviation enthusiasts. The collection includes a range of timepieces that feature a classic and functional design, with large, easy-to-read dials and chronograph functions that are ideal for use in the cockpit. Available in two case sizes, 42 mm, and 44 mm, with an automatic or quartz movement, 3-hands or chronograph, both with date function.

One of the standout models in the Startimer collection is the Alpina Startimer Pilot Automatic Chronograph, which features a 44mm stainless steel case, a bi-directional rotating bezel, and a sapphire crystal that is scratch-resistant and anti-reflective. The watch is powered by a Swiss-made automatic movement and has a power reserve of 46 hours.

Seastrong

The Alpina Seastrong collection is a line of watches that are designed specifically for diving and water sports enthusiasts. These watches are built to withstand the rigors of underwater activities while also offering a stylish and functional design that can be worn on land as well. Presented in 44 mm or 42 mm for the Heritage version, with a choice of a blue, gray, or black dial, in a steel or black coated glass fiber case.

One of the standout models in the Seastrong collection is the Alpina Seastrong Diver 300 Automatic, which features a 44mm stainless steel case, a unidirectional rotating bezel, and a sapphire crystal that is scratch-resistant and anti-reflective. The watch is water-resistant to a depth of 300 meters and is powered by a Swiss-made automatic movement that offers a power reserve of 38 hours.

Comtesse

The Alpina Comtesse collection is a line of watches that are designed specifically for women. The collection features a range of elegant and sophisticated timepieces that are crafted with the highest attention to detail and using only the finest materials. Sporty yet elegant, they are a great look whether you are hiking, diving, or hanging out at home. Powered by a quartz movement and ranging in case size from 34 mm to 36.5 mm, the watches are available with a blue, black, or white dial.

AlpinerX

The Alpina AlpinerX collection is a line of hybrid smartwatches that combines traditional Swiss watchmaking with modern technology. These watches are designed for outdoor enthusiasts and offer a range of features that are ideal for tracking activities such as hiking, running, and skiing.

One of the standout features of the AlpinerX collection is the dial, which can be changed to display a range of different data, such as altitude, barometric pressure, and UV intensity. The watch also offers activity tracking, sleep monitoring, and smartphone notifications, making it a versatile and functional timepiece.

The Alpina AlpinerX collection also features a range of durable materials, including a fiberglass case, scratch-resistant sapphire crystal, and a water-resistant strap. The watches are also water-resistant to a depth of 100 meters, making them suitable for swimming and water sports.

In addition to the standard AlpinerX model, the collection also includes several limited edition versions, such as the AlpinerX Alive and the AlpinerX Urban. These watches feature unique designs and additional features, such as GPS tracking and NFC payments.