On World Ocean Day, Alpina is unveiling two new limited series – one for women and one for men – of its eco-responsible watch, the Seastrong Diver Gyre Automatic. Not only does this line feature an environmentally friendly case, strap and packaging, it also symbolises the Brand’s commitment to associations fighting to protect the environment.
Introduced in 2020, the Seastrong Diver Gyre Automatic not only brought a breath of fresh air to the Brand’s diving watch collection, but also launched the Brand’s groundswell of support for more responsible, environmentally friendly watchmaking. Widely adopted by a new generation of divers, surfers and sea lovers, this creation presents a very contemporary look.
This line and its name were inspired by the encounter and collaboration between Alpina and the watch journalist Bernard Werk in the Netherlands four years ago. Personally involved in the preservation of the oceans, he co-created the concept and the name “GYRE” with fellow journalist Jorrit Niels, in reference to the giant circular ocean currents – and the reuse of “ghost” fishing nets from the Indian Ocean.
At the top of the eco-responsible wave
There is no reference to a glorious past, no vintage spirit here. This “Gyre”, as its fans call it, is a piece for the future: the future of the oceans, the future of the planet and, to some extent, the future of watchmaking. Why is it so? Because it is a creation that emphasises eco-design. Its case is made up of 70% plastic debris from ghost fishing nets collected in the Indian Ocean (and of 30% glass fibre, thus forming an ultra-resistant and lightweight whole).
As for the strap, Alpina has developed an eco-responsible NATO-type made from recycled plastic bottles. A second strap is supplied with the men’s model, this time made from “apple leather”, one of the first “vegetable leathers” used in the watch industry.
The exercise does not stop there, as each version is delivered in a new-generation gift box, also made entirely of recycled plastic. It contains a single guarantee and certificate of authenticity sheet printed on FSC Recycled paper. The instructions for use have been dematerialised, further reducing the weight of the case and the use of paper and ink. It can be accessed via a QR code printed on the lining of the box, which is also made of recycled plastic bottles (rPET).
Oceanic inspirations
These two new limited editions feature new shades of blue, a colour with multiple variations that continues to inspire Alpina designers.
On these 44 mm and 36 mm men’s and women’s models, which are water-resistant to 300 metres thanks to their screw-down crowns, the idea is to offer a striking contrast between the darkest seabed, where the light can no longer penetrate, and the surface waters which, depending on the region of the world, range from intense blue to the most sparkling turquoise.
The black dial features a turquoise minute track with silver luminescent markers, so that the time can be read even underwater in reduced light. A detail that Alpina collectors will not fail to notice: the counterweight of the seconds hand, the famous Alpina red triangle, has been made exclusively for this model with the same turquoise tone.
The unidirectional 60-minute graduated bezel, made of steel with a blue PVD treatment, gives pride of place to this colour, a symbol of the great depths, where the sunlight no longer reaches. Markers for each ten minutes are placed on it. Black in appearance, they are in fact luminescent and will enable the wearer to determine the time of immersion or decompression by adjusting the bezel opposite the two large luminescent hour and minute hands.
The NATO-type woven strap is the perfect synthesis of the colours expressed on the watch, with a black central band and a turquoise edge. The second strap delivered with the men’s model is entirely black, reproducing the look of leather but in a vegetal way, for a more urban and classic watchmaking look. Each model is equipped with the AL-525 calibre, offering 38 hours of power reserve, and will be exclusively limited to 288 pieces.
ABOUT GYRE WATCH
Gyre Watch has been founded in The Netherlands in 2017 with the aim to produce a watch made out of recycled ocean plastic. After 2,5 years they found the solution by using recycling ghost fishing nets, saved from the Indian Ocean. Local fishermen collect the fishing nets from the sea and deliver them to the recycler. For this they receive a fee, which means Gyre also contributes to the local economy. The nets are then cleaned and made into pellets for the watch case.
We Shape the Change
Alpina works for a sustainable future
On World Ocean Day, Alpina is not only unveiling two new limited series – one for women and one for men – of its eco-responsible Seastrong Diver Gyre Automatic watch, but is also reiterating its commitment to associations fighting to protect the environment. United by a significant, mobilizing principle called We Shape the Change – Reach Your Summit’s ecological equivalent – Alpina’s ambition is to undertake a multitude of actions aimed at drawing the public’s attention to current environmental issues, as well as partnerships, starting with Surfrider Foundation Europe and the Swiss company Wood’nShape, which manufactures wooden surfboards.
First introduced on June 8th, 2020, in support of World Ocean Day, the Seastrong Diver Gyre Automatic not only brought a breath of fresh air to the diving watch, it also launched the Maison’s groundswell of support for more responsible, environmentally friendly and ecological watchmaking.
We Shape the Change, a sustainable promise
Since last year, Alpina has been committed to preserving the environment and its nature, a source of inspiration for the company since its creation and to which it now wishes to return the favour.
We Shape the Change, Alpina‘s new motto and the eco-responsible equivalent of the famous Reach Your Summit, aims to bring together under a single unifying principle all the Brand’s initiatives aimed at reducing this destructive ecological impact on our planet – partnerships, spontaneous actions, or even the production of watches by reusing existing components.
Even if Alpina is still in its early stage in terms of sustainable development, this is the direction the Brand is pointing for the upcoming years. Designing change, moving forward, living in harmony with its time and environment: these are the fundamental values advocated by all the actions undertaken by Alpina, present and future, to draw its community and the public’s attention to environmental issues.
All information on the We Shape the Change initiatives is available on the dedicated page of Alpina’ website.
Alpina & Surfrider Foundation Europe
In 2020, the cases made of ghost fishing nets from the Indian Ocean, the bracelets made of rPet and vegetable leather, or the eco-responsible and dematerialised giftbox of the Seastrong Diver Gyre Automatic timepieces were accompanied by a partnership with Surfrider Foundation Europe. Founded in 1990 in Biarritz, France, by a group of surfers who wanted to defend their playground, Surfrider Foundation Europe has in its DNA the mobilisation of citizens to protect the ocean and the coastline.
In total adequacy with these values of sharing and respect between human beings and nature, Alpina is happy to renew its support this year to this international and environmental non-profit organization, recognized for its fight led daily by nearly 1800 volunteers in 13 European countries.
To illustrate this collaboration, Alpina organised a waste collection on the beach of the mythical surf spot of Hossegor (France) last May, as part of the Surfrider Foundation Europe’s Ocean Initiatives programme. Carried out in collaboration with a local surf school, Alpina was able to count on the participation of its students for this clean-up, which was notably led by Sébastien Meylan, founder of Wood’nShape.
An ecosystem to preserve
In addition to the range of recreational activities they offer, beaches are an essential part of human life, and can also play a role in mitigating climate change.
Not only do they protect residents living near the ocean from high winds and powerful storm waves, they also provide permanent habitats for a variety of animals and plants that play a vital role in filtering seawater and recycling nutrients. Not to mention the marine biodiversity and marine mammals that require these vast expanses of sand to ensure the perpetuation of species.
Yet beach pollution leads to the death of thousands of marine animals every year – from ingesting plastic waste. Today, several hundred species, including birds and fish, are affected by the problem, many of them protected and endangered. Getting citizens to collect litter on the coast to raise awareness and create scientific data on this pollution has become essential.
Alpina & Wood’nShape
This year, in support to World Ocean Day, Alpina also announces a committed collaboration with Swiss company Wood’nShape, headed by architect Sébastien Meylan, which manufactures eco-friendly wooden surfboards.
Born in conjunction with the new Seastrong Diver Gyre Automatic 2021 models’ introduction dedicated to the preservation of the oceans, this partnership unveils a series of surfboards covered with a mural representing plastic waste. Handcrafted down to the smallest detail, these boards have been shaped by the hands of Sébastien Meylan himself.
Called “Ugly Beauty”, this series, which works as a triptych, represents the world map and illustrates the accumulation of plastic pollution in the oceans. The aim is to raise awareness of the environmental issues surrounding non-recyclable materials, the clogging of the oceans with plastic waste, and the alternative measures to be adopted, such as upcycling, educating the younger generation, and finding the right balance between innovation and preservation.
Through this collaboration, Alpina and Wood’nShape wish to highlight the beauty but also the fragility of our environment and its nature, as well as their common will to move forward, to design change at their level. From July onwards, these surfboards will travel around the world to keep the story alive and to raise awareness of environmental issues among the public and the international community, including through Alpina ambassadors and other stakeholders.
Alpina and Wood’nShape have developed a series of films illustrating the making of these unique surfboards, available on We Shape the Change’s dedicated page of Alpina’s website.
The power of images
Entitled “We Shape the Change”, Alpina and Wood’nShape have also produced a manifesto film illustrating their joint commitment. Produced in the form of a web-report, it explains the values that their collaboration defends, thus highlighting the environmental issues linked to ocean pollution.
A fight that is more than ever topical and has now become global, the preservation of our environment undoubtedly represents one of the greatest challenges of tomorrow. Despite the need to adopt measures on an international scale, the small daily gestures of each and every one of us will already constitute a considerable advance on an individual level.
It’s time for change: Alpina is committed to working with its partners to shape a sustainable future.
Alpina Seastrong Diver Gyre Automatic Technical Specifications
Seastrong Diver Gyre Comtesse Automatic Ref. AL-525LBN3VG6
Functions
- Hours, minutes, seconds, date
Movement
- AL-525 calibre, automatic
- 26 jewels, 38-hour power reserve, 28,800 alt/h
Case
- Recycled PA 6 (70%) and glass-fiber (30%) 2-part case
- Stainless steel with blue PVD coating 60-minute unidirectional turning bezel with black luminous markers
- Diameter of 36 mm
- Height of 11,95 mm
- Scratch-resistant sapphire crystal
- Engraved case-back
- Water-resistant up to 30 ATM/300m/1000ft
- Screw-in crown
Dial
- Black dial with blue minutes and seconds graduation
- Applied silver color indexes with white luminous treatment
- Date window at 3 o’clock
- Silver color hour and minute hands with white luminous treatment
- White second hand with light blue triangle at the base
Strap
- rPET (recycled plastic bottles) blue and black NATO strap
Limited Edition
- Limited to 288 pieces
Giftbox
- Made from recycled plastic, FSC certified paper and rPET fabric
Price
- RRP 1’295€
Seastrong Diver Gyre Automatic Ref. AL-525LBN4VG6
Functions
- Hours, minutes, seconds, date
Movement
- AL-525 caliber, automatic
- 26 jewels, 38-hour power reserve, 28,800 alt/h
Case
- Recycled PA 6 (70%) and glass-fiber (30%) 2-part case
- Stainless steel with blue PVD coating 60-minute unidirectional turning bezel with black luminous markers
- Diameter of 44 mm
- Height of 12,15 mm
- Scratch-resistant sapphire crystal
- Engraved case-back
- Water-resistant up to 30 ATM/300m/1000ft
- Screw-in crown
Dial
- Black dial with blue minutes and seconds graduation
- Applied silver color indexes with white luminous treatment
- Date window at 3 o’clock
- Silver color hour and minute hands with white luminous treatment
- White second hand with light blue triangle at the base
Strap
- RPET (recycled plastic bottles) blue and black NATO strap
- Including an additional black apple leather strap coming in a rPET pouch
Limited Edition
- Limited to 288 pieces
Giftbox
- Made from recycled plastic, FSC certified paper and rPET fabric
Price
- RRP 1’395€
ABOUT ALPINA
THE ORIGINAL SWISS ALPINE SPORTS WATCH MANUFACTURE SINCE 1883
Founded in 1883 and famous for its red triangle signature, Alpina is a Swiss watchmaking manufacture based in Geneva, Switzerland. The Maison aims to develop luxury sports watches that operate with the greatest precision and reliability in the most demanding environments, like the Alps.
A true watchmaking pioneer, Alpina has been the source of numerous patents and innovative calibres for 137 years. In the early twentieth century, Alpina was known as an official supplier of time instruments for military pilots, before revolutionizing the concept of sports watches in 1938, with its legendary Alpina 4.
Faithful to its long tradition of innovation, in 2015, Alpina launched the first connected Swiss Made Horological Smartwatch, thereby creating a new segment in the Swiss luxury sports watch industry. In 2020, the Maison presented the AlpinerX Alive, a new generation of smartwatches equipped with an integrated heart rate sensor and GPS, amongst many other features. Also concerned about the preservation of the Planet, Alpina introduced the Seastrong Diver Gyre Automatic line, made of recycled plastic from the oceans.
Inspired by the alpine universe since its creation, Alpina has always been deeply involved in outdoor activities and mountain sports. The Maison has therefore developed strong partnerships illustrating its engagement to this world, alongside its “Alpinists” Team of athletes and Friends of the Brand, who compete in the most challenging environments.