Right from the start, the fetching color combination of this Alpina Startimer Pilot watch caught my eye. A rugged tan leather strap perfectly complements the black-PVD-coated stainless steel case while the clean and bold dial layout with a petrol-blue backdrop adds much to the design. Not only is it stylish, it is a robust aviation watch.
Aviation Heritage
In 1921, Alpina became an official supplier of professional pilot watches replica and timing instruments for military pilots. Today, with nearly one century of knowledge creating aviation timepieces, Alpina‘s Startimer Pilot collection continues that legacy. But more recently, Alpina has partnered with U.S.-based aircraft maker Cessna as the official Watch of the Cessna Aircraft Corporation. This particular watch pays tribute with a caseback engraved with a Cessna single engine plane.
Built to hit high altitudes, this Alpina Startimer Pilot watch is equipped with performance features for pilots. The 1/10-second chronograph with a center stop second allows for precise timing with effortless operation due to the sizeable pushers just begging to be used.
As a nod to the 1940s aviation watches replica, the balanced arrangement of prominent Arabic numerals and strong contrasting colors on this dial offer readability at practically any angle. In addition, the hour and minute hands and the quarter-hour markers are nicely coated with SuperLuminova, making the dial easy to read in any poorly lit situation. The 30-minute counter and the 10-hour counter sit symmetrically just above the small seconds at 6 o’clock, and the dial is conveniently fitted with a big date. The signature Alpina triangle is subtly represented on the crown and also placed at 12 o’clock where it, too, offers luminescence. The triangle is also nicely depicted at the end of the chronograph seconds hand. The scratch-resistant sapphire crystal offers superior anti-reflective coating.
Considering the range of information offered on this dial, Alpina orchestrates it all so the wearer need only glance at his or her watch to read all essential information.
Case, strap & surprise
The hardy 44mm stainless steel case has a stealthy black PVD coating with polished and brushed finishes. If you’re wearing leather gloves, the classic, large screw-in crown offers an easy grip. While the 44mm size is not too large, and it does sit comfortably on the wrist (secured with the thick leather strap and tang buckle), that large crown may not fit perfectly with a button-cuff shirt.
If the watch is sealed properly with its crown screwed down, this Alpina Startimer Pilot is water resistant to 100 meters, providing a range of flexibility beyond the skies.
Now, if you have made it this far into this watch review, you are probably eager to know what is powering this beauty. The Alpina Startimer Pilot Chronograph Big Date Black is fitted with, surprise, a quartz chronograph with a battery life of 48 months. Yes, many pilots may prefer mechanical movements, and Alpina certainly offers a multitude of well-priced automatic examples. But for some pilots and many pilots-in-training, this Alpina Startimer Pilot (ref. AL-372N4FBS6) provides tremendous value. It’s a terrific everyday piece that will bring out the pilot within – even if you’re not ever going to sit in a cockpit. Price: $1,295.