If there is a watch brand that allows you to dress your wrist with luxury without having to do a kidney transplant, the Alpina watch brand is the one. And if by any chance it happens to be an outdoor activity lover, we got the perfect match here. Yep! the Alpina Watch brand has positioned itself in the category of badass durable watches. However, the designs and shapes of their timepieces feature a classic touch, so you can go from eating breakfast in a restaurant to camping with friends and later in the evening hit a party, without worrying if your Alpina watch isn’t pairing with your outfit. All designs are suitable for casual as well as formal events.
A brief introduction to the Alpina Watches History (1883 to 2002)
The Swiss know-how watchmaking heritage is reflected on each Alpina watch. Another reason to be humbled by the fact you haven’t gotten your Alpina watch yet is that the brand is rich in history. Backed with extensive experience in watchmaking, Swiss made Alpina watches have been around since 1883. The brand has surpassed 2 World Wars, the Quartz Crisis, and many dark ages throughout the years and still stands stronger than ever.
1883
Alpina Union Horlogere S.A. is founded by Gottlieb Hauser to unite the Swiss watchmaking industry into the realm of precision and quality.
1890
Alpina Union Horlogere S.A. moves to Biel/Bienne and starts manufacturing their own movements under the leverage of Jacob Straub’s fabric.
1901
Jacob Straub, an important member of the company, registers the mark Alpina to protect the brand’s 12- and 19-line calibers.
1910
Is the year that marked the creation of the first Alpina pocket watch with a perpetual calendar, a great technical achievement for the time it was released.
1920
By the end of the First World War, Alpina watches were being continuously sold throughout 2000 retail watch shops in Europe.
1926
Alpina watches are now backed with an international guarantee valid throughout the world.
1933
Alpina Watch company presents Block Uhr – the brand’s first sports watch equipped with a new type of crown and steel case.
1938
The iconic Alpina 4 watch is introduced to the world. The watch was an antimagnetic, anti-shock, water-resistant, and robust stainless-steel case.
1945
The first in-house automatic Alpina watch is crafted. The watch equipped with the self-winding caliber 582 provided 40 hours of power reserve and featured a sub-dial for the seconds at 6 o’clock.
1957
Is the year that marked the reveal of Alpina President – the first Sports Automatic Alpina watch.
1969
Alpina automatic diver watch 10 Seastrong is launched. The watch was suitable for diving as it provided up to 200 meters of water-resistance.
1970-2002
Seiko Astron- the world’s first quartz watch is invented. 10X more accurate and affordable than Swiss made automatic watches, Seiko Astron soon gained popularity. The Quartz Revolution for Japanese watch brands and Quartz Crisis for Swiss made watches began.
2002
Alpina Watches is bought by the owners of Frederique Constant, passing the secrets of watchmaking and the vision of Gottlieb Hauser to another family. The following years will help Alpina Watches company to retain its place among other Swiss made watch brands with the release of some of the greatest automatic Swiss made sports watches ever manufactured.
- (2005) Alpina Extreme Diver watch
- (2009) Alpina Extreme Tourbillion watch
- (2011) Alpina Extreme Sailing “Yacht Timer” watch
- (2012) Alpina Startimer Pilot watch
Best Alpina watches to purchase in 2022 (Quartz, Automatic & Smartwatches)
- Alpina Startimer Pilot Quartz Watch
- Alpina Seastrong Horological Smartwatch
- Alpiner Alpina Quartz Watch
- Alpina Startimer Pilot Automatic Watch
- Alpina Seastrong Diver Heritage Watch
Alpina Startimer Pilot Quartz Watch
Collection: Startimer
Movement: Quartz
Price: $600
Probably the lowest priced Alpina watch is the Alpina Startimer Pilot Quartz. The timepiece from Alpina comes in a high-quality quartz movement caliber AL-240 that provides up to 25 months of power reserve. The price segment does not comprise the quality of the watch as the finest materials and the high level of workmanship are reflected on this timepiece. Alpina has been manufacturing timekeeping gadgets for aviators since the 1920s. Their Startimer collection is a continuation of their century-old work.
From the scratch-resistant sapphire crystal, you can catch a glance of the white dial, home to black indexes and Arabic numerals, and a date window at 3 o’clock as well.
The watch is water-resistant up to 100 meters, for you to swim without worrying about the contact of water with your valuable timepiece.
Alpina Seastrong Horological Smartwatch
Collection: Seastrong
Movement: MMT-282-1 Connected Movement
Price: $715
The second lowest priced Alpina watch is not quartz or automatic, but the Alpina Seastrong Horological Smartwatch. The model we picked from their collection of smartwatches features a classic design with a black rubber strap and stainless-steel case. From the scratch-resistant sapphire crystal, you can see a busy dial with applied luminous indexes and hour hands.
The watch uses the so-called traditional smart technology, as you get the best of digital power and classical watches. At 2, 4, 8, and 10 o’clock you will notice the smart function indicators, respectively for Activity Tracking, Sleep Monitoring, and Get-Active Alerts. For $715, the Alpina Seastrong Horological Smartwatch can be a great choice for the ones that can not decide between a smartwatch or a classic one.
Alpiner Alpina Quartz Watch
Collection: Alpiner
Movement: Quartz
Price: $950
If you think this is an average quartz watch, think again as the Alpiner is considered as one of the best and the most durable quartz watches ever produced. The stainless-steel beast comes with a dark grey dial with sunray finishing where you will find the LumiNova indexes and a date window positioned at 6 o’clock. Equipped with Alpina AL-240 quartz caliber, the watch provides up to 45 months of battery life, the highest battery reserve a quartz watch can offer. Needless to say, the glass is a sapphire crystal, loved by watch manufacturers for its scratch-resistant and anti-reflective properties. The watch can be a perfect pick for long swims as it provides up to 100 meters of water resistance.
Alpina Startimer Pilot Automatic Watch
Collection: Startimer
Movement: Automatic
Price: $1.100
Another valuable timepiece from the Swiss watch manufacturer is their Startimer Pilot Automatic. The model we picked features a white dial in a polished titanium PVD coated stainless steel case. From the scratch-resistant sapphire crystal glass, you will see a combination of white Arabic numerals and hour markers. A date window is positioned as usual at 3 o’clock. The watch runs in an automatic movement caliber AL-525 which can provide up to 38 hours of power reserve. Not too much, but enough to remove the watch from your wrist once in a while. The 100 meters waterproof watch is perfect for daily life use and long swims as well.
Alpina Seastrong Diver Heritage Watch
Collection: Seastrong
Movement: Automatic
Price: $1878.00
Alpina watches from their immense Seastrong collection feature diving timepieces crafted with punctuality throughout a more than 100 years heritage of watchmaking craftsmanship. The model we picked to be part of our best Alpina watches collection, is a beautiful diving watch that fits almost every event. Whether casual or a formal event, the classic design of the Alpina Seastrong Diver Heritage Watch allows you to wear your timepiece everywhere.
The watch features a dark grey dial with a date window positioned between 3 and 4 o’clock and luminous indexes & watch hands. The automatic movement with 26 jewels provides up to 38 hours of power reserve, more than a day for the watch to self-wind. The watch is water-resistant up to 300 meters and can be no better choice for water-based sports such as recreational diving, surfing, or waterskiing.
Why do we like Alpina watches?
Alpina watches are Swiss Made
It is important to be informed about the watch you have on your wrist or willing to own. The brand and the country where the watch is produced are some of the main factors that sometimes indicate the quality of the watch.
If you’re one of the lucky ones to have an Alpina watch glowing on your wrist, notice that you have to do with the crème de la crème of the Swiss made timepieces.
Alpina watches, as well as the whole Swiss watchmaking industry, operate under strict regulations to set the standard for accuracy, durability, and sustainability of Swiss made watches. COSC the Official Swiss Chronometer Testing Institute is responsible for the accuracy and precision of Swiss made watches.
Affordable Luxury Timepieces
As mentioned above, Alpina watches are considered as some of the lowest priced luxury watches. Their quartz models start from $700 but if you are more into automatic, you will have to pay at least $1.500 to get your hands on an Alpina watch with an automatic movement.
When it comes to paying for a good quality watch there are several options from which you can choose from. From Japan to Germany, to Switzerland, the industry of watchmaking is expanding with colossal steps. And so are the prices. It is worth to be mentioned that an Alpina watch is as accurate and durable as its compatriots. However, when it comes to the price tag, a Rolex or Omega are worth 10x more than an Alpina watch. It probably has to do with the exceptional marketing campaigns run by Swiss giants but better for us the watch lovers, as we can put a luxury Swiss made Alpina watch on our wrists without having to pay the top dollar.
But don’t think Alpina is incapable of delivering exceptional timepieces with price tags that will blow your mind. As of 2010, the Alpina watch brand released their Tourbillion Manufacture Regulator, a sporty watch with complicated functions for around $50.000. The Tourbillion from Alpina is no longer available as the pieces belonging to a limited-edition collection were sold within days.
Parts made in-house
Alpina watches are manufactured in Switzerland, with parts all made in-house including the movements as well. The brand owns its rightful place among the few independent Swiss watch manufacturers that are capable of manufacturing their own movements. Some of the most iconic calibers of Alpina’s craftsman and woman are the amazing Tourbillon, the World Timer, the Regulator, the Flyback Chronograph Manufacture Calibers, and the Small Date Automatic.
Managing to manufacture your own movements is a big deal for a watch manufacturer as this achievement demonstrates the watchmaker’s skills. Not to be surprised for a watch brand of this magnitude as we now know that Alpina watches are backed with 150 years of watchmaking heritage.
State-of-the-art Designs
While shopping for a watch, the first impression is the design of it. You see if is it stylish, classic, contemporary, or minimalist as you want it to. As Italians say, Tutti Gusti sono Giusti (all tastes are right) and there is no accounting for one’s sense of consent.
As an admirer of classic timepieces, I can certainly describe Alpina watches as classics crafted with innovation in mind. Besides the complicated functions, the design of an Alpina watch features the modern version of a 150 years old timepiece.
FAQ about the Alpina Watch
Is an Alpina watch expensive?
The price segment of Alpina watches varies from $600 up to more than $2000. While their quartz movement watches allow you to wear your wrist with luxury for a few hundreds of dollars, their automatic timepieces are worth more as an automatic watch delivers true watchmaking craftsmanship.
Is an Alpina watch good?
Rest assured of the quality of an Alpina watch as these timepieces are Swiss made. While every Swiss made watch is manufactured under strict regulations set by COSC the Official Swiss Chronometer Testing Institute, the standard for accuracy, durability, and sustainability of a watch is at the highest point.
How old is the watch brand Alpina?
Alpina watch brand is 138 years old. The brand was founded in 1883 by Gottlieb Hauser as an attempt to unite the Swiss watchmaking industry and upgrade their watches’ precision and durability.
