Alpina Watches extended the Startimer collection with new 40mm pieces. Between them, the white dial version caught my attention and I have decided to have a deeper look. The Alpina Startimer Pilot Automatic Reference AL-525S3S6 represents well its collection. The differences from the other pieces being purely cosmetic. Large image gallery.
Review Alpina Startimer Pilot Automatic Reference AL-525S3S6
The Startimer is an important collection of Alpina Watches. The vintage-inspired pieces are filtered through modern trends and technologies to accomplish a desirable presence. I have to admit that I was charmed by the new collection and especially by the white version.
Before going into details, let’s also have a look at the hands-on video with a SuperLuminova test (at the end of the video). Enjoy!
To test the watch, we have visited the Technic Museum Speyer. What a better place to enjoy a pilot watch if not between airplanes and other flight machines?
40 mm Steel case – Some unexpected details
Alpina Startimer Pilot Automatic Reference AL-525S3S6 comes in a 40mm steel case. The watch is quite slim, having a thickness of 10.25mm. The dimensions are balanced, making the watch a comfortable wrist companion.
The case presents a circular brushing on the face that is extended on the front of the curved lugs. The caseband suffered a horizontal brushing, also extended on lugs. The slim bezel is polished.
The curved lugs present a mirror-polished beveled edge that disappears towards the watch’s caseband. The Startimer Pilot features a generously sized crown. It was kept unscrewed during the photoshoot to make use of the stop-seconds system and keep the hands at the 10:10 position.
The screwed-in crown offers a good grip due to its large head and wide teeth. We can admire the attention to details: the alternating brushed and polished surfaces. The Alpina logo was positively engraved.
On the backside of the Startimer Pilot we find a screwed-in solid steel caseback. It was decorated with a stylized aeronautical theme along with the brand’s internal codification, name of the watch and Swiss Made mark. The markings present on this watch might not correspond to the scale production numbers (press loan).
A charming Pilot dial
I was conquered from the first moment by the white Pilot dial of the AL-525S3S6. I like the big three-dimensional indexes. They give a powerful presence.
The large Arabic numerals and indexes are filled with SuperLuminova, having quite an appearance in the low light. Of course, the big black leaf hands contributes to this spectacle.
The white dial presents an outer, printed in black, chapter ring that serves as minutes and seconds indexes. The 12 o’clock position holds a red lacquered triangle. Each fifth position holds Arabic numeral indexes.
Alpina Startimer Pilot Automatic Reference AL-525S3S6 is fitted with a date aperture at 3 o’clock. The black on white scheme gets well with the overall watch’s face.
The dial was further decorated with Alpina’s name and logo on the top side and with the “Automatic” and water resistance numbers on the lower side. The information is printed in black.
Calibre AL-525 – robust, reliable
The Startimer Pilot Automatic Reference AL-525S3S6 is powered by the Alpina Calibre AL-525. This movement is based on the Sellita SW200-1 calibre. The automatic movement offers 38 hours of power reserve, being driven by a 4Hz classic escapement. The movement is not visible but I expect the same Alpina personalized details: decent industrial finishing and a personalized rotor weight.
Final notes and conclusion
Alpina Startimer Pilot Automatic Reference AL-525S3S6 is a nice pilot watch. Priced at 895€ (in Germany) has a lot to offer: a nice and well-executed design, a lovely appearance and a good wrist presence.
The watch is light and comfortable to wear. The curved lugs and soft leather strap contribute in full. The setting and winding are effortless. Regardless of using it as a daily wristwatch or just occasionally, the Alpina Startimer Pilot Automatic brings joy to the wearer. At least those were my feelings regarding it during the test period. The watch left me with a great impression and exceeded my expectations.
Alpina Startimer Pilot Automatic Reference AL-525S3S6 Technical Specifications and Price
Functions
- Hours, minutes, seconds, date
Movement
- AL-525 caliber,
- automatic
- 26 jewels,
- 38-hour power reserve,
- 28,800 alt/h
Case
- Polished stainless steel 2-parts case
- Diameter of 40 mm, thickness of 10.25 mm
- Convex sapphire crystal
- Water-resistant up to 10 ATM/100m/330ft
- Engraved case-back
- Screw-in crown
Dial
- White dial, applied black pearl indexes with white luminous treatment
- Date window at 3 o’clock
- Hand-polished black oxy hands with white luminous treatment and black oxy seconds hand with red triangle
Strap
- Black calf leather strap with off-white stitching
Price
- 895€
Alpina Startimer Pilot Automatic Reference AL-525S3S6 Image Gallery
Can you say how accurate the SW200-1 movement is? I am hoping it is a bit better than the ETA 2824 equivalent and I would consider buying the Alpina if it is accurate to within +/- 10-15 secs a day. My other watches have the ETA 2892 movement and it is stellar, accurate to within COSC specs without being certified.
It is also a matter of luck…
Sellita SW200 is seen as a replacement of the 2824. It was used in good seen watches.
Just as ETA, Sellita offers the movement in 4 versions:
Standard – adjusted in two positions; accuracy of +/-12 sec/day up to +/- 30 sec/day
Special (Elabore) – adjusted in three positions; accuracy of +/-7 sec/day up to +/- 20 sec/day
Premium (Top) – adjusted in five positions; accuracy of +/-4 sec/day up to +/- 15 sec/day
Chronometer – COSC criteria
It was noted that Sellita used proprietary springs that are better than ETA’s and having better chronometry.
I have seen watches well regarded with Sellita. But I don’t know what Alpina is using. You should refer to forums where this aspects are well verified and tested.
Cheers,
Andrei
Hi, nixe review. Also because of this I bought exactly this modell. I really Like the Look. However, I noted ist’s quite noisy and the backside ist very tough. Ist this the same in your’s? KR
Hi Joe,
Thank you for your kind words.
I am not sure what do you understand by noisy? Do you mean the rotor weight? The calibre is a bit on the loud side but nothing excessive. Maybe yours has a problem with the ball bearings.
Tough in the way it is hard to open. It is a screw-down and you need the right tool. I would recommend going to a professional.
Regards,
Andrei
Hi,
Sorry, this was a typo in the last sentence,I wanted to say rough or sharp edged. The noise seems to be normal, I`ve consulted a watch mechanic and he says that`s because of the rotor. I also own a Mühle and a Seiko and they are more quiet.KR
Hi Joe,
Not particularly sharp. I find it ok.
Regarding the rotor, as I mentioned, it is a bit on the loud side, but not unusual…
Glad all is ok!
Cheers,
Andrei
Any digs of the crown into the wrist given the relatively thin profile but an extended crown?
Hi,
In the pictures, the crown is unscrewed to keep the hands in a fixed position.
It has not been a real issue during the review time but when the strap is tight, certain wrist moves can become a bit uncomfortable.
Cheers,
Andrei