Alpina Startimer Pilot Solarmetre and Alpiner Extreme Solarmetre
Alpina has expanded its solar quartz offerings with new references in the Startimer Pilot and Alpiner Extreme lines, utilizing La Joux-Perret solar quartz movements. These new models leverage the smaller dimensions of the solar movements to offer more compact case sizes compared to their mechanical counterparts, enhancing wearability. The expansion highlights Alpina's integration of solar technology, aligning with parent company Citizen Group's focus on this area, while positioning Alpina as a more premium offering.
- Startimer Pilot Solarmetre in steel with black or blue dials: $1,495
- Startimer Pilot Solarmetre in PVD coated steel with brown dial: $1,695
- Alpiner Extreme Solarmetre limited to 513 pieces: $1,495
- Alpiner Extreme Automatic limited to 313 pieces: $2,295
- Startimer Pilot Solarmetre movement offers 10 months power reserve in darkness
The solar quartz movements allow for a reduced case size of 38mm wide and 9.3mm thick for the Startimer Pilot, compared to the 40mm diameter and over 10mm thickness of its mechanical version.
The Startimer Pilot Solarmetre features a prominent grain texture on the dials, oversized Arabic numerals filled with aged Lumibrite, and a date window at 3:00.
The PVD coated steel version of the Startimer Pilot Solarmetre has a brown dial and a PVD coating described as "champagne," reminiscent of IWC's "Mojave" colorway.
The Alpiner Extreme Solarmetre, created to celebrate participation in the Route du Rhum sailing race, features a black dial, turquoise chapter ring, and carbon fiber bezel insert.
The Alpiner Extreme Automatic, a mechanical counterpart to the solar version, features a turquoise dial with a motif of the race route and a carbon fiber compass bezel.
The value proposition of these Alpina solar watches is discussed in relation to Citizen's similarly equipped solar watches, which are priced significantly lower.