Just In: 1940s Alpina "Pontife"
Recently, I've made a trade - I had a 1952 Longines I didn't really wear, and I traded it to a fellow collector for this:
It's a 1940s Alpina in stainless steel. The dial is beautifully preserved, and adorned with the currently desirable Pontife hands.
Despite being 32mm, it doesn't feel small - the lug width to diameter ratio is deeecent, with the lug width being 18mm.
Another star of the show is the case - made by C.R. Spillmann, renowned for their waterproof cases.
The case back has some serious pitting, by the looks of it caused by a single-pass coarse nylon strap and acidic sweat. However, since I won't wear it case back up, I don't care all that much.
Inside beats an Alpina cal.586.
So far, I've only seen one other specimen - in solid 14K yellow gold.
It's a very sleek piece, and with its 1940s minimalistic dial and hands paired with a broad silhouette, this is exactly my kind of watch!
Staff writer at WahaWatches. Collecting and researching vintage watches since 2014
32mm is a perfectly cromulent size. I'm wearing that size today. Anyone saying otherwise probably has no experience behind their opinion.
I have no learned another hand style name, so thanks for that. The crown is pleasingly proportioned too (sometimes they look a bit large on this size watch).
Ooh - what did the Longines look like?
32mm is a perfectly cromulent size. I'm wearing that size today. Anyone saying otherwise probably has no experience behind their opinion.
I have no learned another hand style name, so thanks for that. The crown is pleasingly proportioned too (sometimes they look a bit large on this size watch).
The smallest in my collection is 28mm, the largest - 43. So, I'm pretty liberal with sizes. It's the proportions and the depth of detail that determine the visual aspect of wearability to me.
Ooh - what did the Longines look like?
Was a nice watch, but I just got bored with it and it didn't get the wrist time that it deserved🤷♂️
Was a nice watch, but I just got bored with it and it didn't get the wrist time that it deserved🤷♂️
Good swap - I’d have done the same.
The 1950’s watches always had so much open real estate on the dial. I think that it was a good swap. (And no DHL theft.)
Definitely a good move. Your Longines was sharp but this one is 10x better.
What a sweet looking watch. Good trade !
Great watch! Congrats! I was a fan of those applied numbers on the Longines though.
My first post, and being a long time friend of Mr. Bloke I know his tastes. This is a fine addition to his collection.
Bob.