Alpina unveiled two new limited series of its Startimer Pilot Heritage Manufacture model, driven by the Swiss brand’s 6th manufacture movement that was introduced to the collection last year. Both are limited to 188 pieces each and feature retro-style dials, one in navy blue and one in a champagne colorway.
The rear side is likewise a feast for the eyes. The historically-inspired AL-709 in-house caliber that is affectionately called “bumper” by mechanical fans. Its winding mechanism relies on a short travel oscillating weight. Instead of being wound by a conventional rotor turning 360° on itself, the “bumper” only travels a third of this distance, after which it is pushed back in the opposite direction by a return spring.
This rare type of movement is housed in a bold cushion-shaped stainless steel case that has a diameter of 42 x 40.75mm and a height of 13.25mm. Both versions of the Alpina Startimer Pilot Heritage Manufacture, the classic steel and the yellow-gold plated one, offer a water-resistance of 100 meters. Pricing is marked at approximately $3,000 respectively $3,100 when converted to USD.
To learn more, visit Alpina, here.
So that’s why I couldn’t get the rotor to spin all the way around!