When Alpina showcased the Startimer back in 2011, it revisited its early 20th-century pilot’s watches, and it has remained part of the catalogue ever since. The appeal was simple. Clear cockpit styling, solid specifications, and a price that did not push things too far. At the centre of this collection sits the Startimer Pilot Automatic, the uncomplicated three-hander of this aviation-themed range. Over the years, it has been offered in sizes from 40mm to 44mm. For 2026, Alpina keeps the familiar 40mm diameter but reworks the case entirely. Shown at Watches and Wonders Geneva 2026, the new version measures 10.14mm in thickness, around 10 per cent slimmer than the earlier 40mm versions.
The stainless steel case features bevelled edges, a circular satin-brushed bezel, vertically brushed flanks, and polished chamfers. Sharper lines seem to give the watch a more compact profile compared to earlier references. The aviation-style crown has also been redesigned for improved grip, replacing the oversized feel of previous iterations. Water resistance is rated at 100 metres, while the steel caseback carries an aviation motif inspired by Art Deco design.
Legibility remains central to the updated dial. A grained central surface adds texture, while a stepped flange with a white minute track keeps the layout easy to read. Redesigned Arabic numerals are now applied and formed from solid luminous material, with the same treatment extending to the indexes and the Alpina logo at 12 o’clock. Depending on the version, the lume appears in what the brand describes as “old radium”, as well as blue-green and green tones.
The updated Startimer Pilot Automatic also introduces new dial variations. Black, khaki, or petrol blue form the core palette, with two executions in black. One combines a black PVD-treated case with beige luminous accents and a beige leather NATO strap fitted with steel loops in black. The other black version takes a sportier direction with white indexes, a Cordura strap, and red stitching. The khaki and petrol blue models are matched with brown leather straps.
Inside the Startimer Pilot Automatic sits the self-winding calibre AL-525, based on a La Joux-Perret movement. Running at 4Hz, it delivers a 68-hour power reserve. The Alpina Startimer Pilot Automatic is priced at EUR 1,295 for the stainless steel versions and EUR 1,395 for the black PVD model.
For more information, visit AlpinaWatches.com.
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