The Alpina Startimer Pilot Heritage Manufacture watch returns, this time as two limited editions in steel or gold. At the centre of the retro cushion-shaped case remains the unique manufacture calibre AL-709 movement inspired by old-school bumper winding systems, a mechanism with an oscillating rotor that turns only 120 degrees.
It feels like only yesterday when Alpina launched their inaugural Startimer Pilot Heritage watch, but alas it was actually five years ago. The design was first introduced with a GMT complication, combining the globetrotting function with a cushion-shaped case inspired by the 1970’s, an era that many believe is the golden age of watch design. Over the years, the Alpina Startimer Pilot Heritage watch has grown to include several additional complications including a monopusher chronograph and a classic time-and-date display. Its most exciting evolution however came last year with the launch of the Alpina Startimer Pilot Heritage Manufacture watch. Alongside the same retro case, the design offered something extremely rare: a vintage-inspired movement. Housed inside the watch was a manufacture calibre equipped with a bumper winding system.
The Bumper Movement
As you’ll likely know, automatic winding movements rely on a component known as an oscillating rotor. The rotor, which is often spotted through a watch’s exhibition case back, rotates 360 degrees on top of the movement, transferring the energy it creates to the movement’s barrel which goes to the regulating organ and thus sets the hands on the dial in motion. Before the concept of modern-day automatic movements became tangible however, there was another way to wind a watch automatically using something called a bumper winding system.
Instead of turning the full 360 degrees, a bumper movement has an oscillating weight that turns just 120 degrees. At both ends of its path, a small spring sends the rotor back in the opposite direction allowing the constant winding of the movement. The concept was incredibly effective and used by several watchmakers during the 1950’s but was eventually phased out in favour of the 360-degree rotor. With bumper movements now almost entirely non-existent, it was a real surprise when Alpina announced they would be paying tribute to the historic mechanism with the launch of the Startimer Pilot Heritage Manufacture watch. The manufacture calibre AL-709 with its modernised bumper system became Alpina’s sixth manufacture movement and returns again in a new duo of Alpina Startimer Pilot Heritage Manufacture 2022 watches.
Through the case back of the new Alpina Startimer Pilot Heritage Manufacture watches, you can see for yourself the bumper rotor styled just like those seen in the 1950’s. The rotor is rose gold-coloured and pairs with minimalistic decoration to honour the non-coated brass of the original. A few improvements are added as well; rather than rotating 120 degrees, the bumper mechanism rotates an almost complete 330 degrees and the rudimentary springs of the original are replaced by a blade for greater rotation. The movement boasts a frequency of 28,800vph and a 38 hour power reserve.
More on the Alpina Startimer Pilot Heritage Manufacture Watch
The Alpina manufacture calibre AL-709 is presented inside two new limited edition Alpina Startimer Pilot Heritage Manufacture watches, one in stainless steel with a blue dial and another gold-plated with a warm grey display. Both cases retain the iconic cushion shape and measure to 42mm in diameter and 13.25mm in height. The cases are radially brushed with some polished accents and are joined by box-shaped sapphire crystal glass, a crown positioned at 4 o’clock, a sapphire crystal exhibition case back and a water resistant rating of 100 metres.
A new feature for the Alpina Startimer Pilot Heritage Manufacture 2022 watches is the dial. Instead of metal stick indexes, the dials now elect a classic railroad minute track, traditional pilot-inspired painted markers and the full set of 1-12 Arabic numerals. As mentioned, the classic steel case elects a gorgeous navy blue dial with silver-coloured hardware while the gold-plated case nominates a champagne, warm silver-like dial with black-coloured hands and markers. The hour markers and hour and minute hands also feature luminous coating and we’re pleased to announce, there is still no date window in sight.
Both Alpina Startimer Pilot Heritage Manufacture watches are completed by a brown calfskin leather strap with off-white stitching and a case metal-matching pin buckle. They are also both limited to 188 pieces each. If you’d like to learn more about these new 2022 releases and shop the designs for yourself, head over to the Jura Watches website here. Alternatively, get in touch with the team by calling 01335 453453 or send us a message at sales@cwsellors.com.
