Alpina! Underrated?

Alpina is one of those century old watch makers from Swtizerland. I think they're amongst the earliest manufacturer with an international warranty after purchase. Bought by Frederique Constant in the 2000s and then they were bought by Citizen in 2016.

https://monochrome-watches.com/alpina/#:~:text=For%20over%20130%20years%2C%20Alpina,with%20affordable%20luxury%20sports%20watches.

I love their designs.

Yes it’s my daily and GADA. You will find many pictures of mine on my profile.

I am very satisfied : I like the design, the finishing is excellent, it seems robust and it keeps the time quite well. I wanted a watch that I can wear at work, but that is also able to sustain my sport or DIY works.

The only downside is their size, especially because I have a small wrist.

Mine is the smallest of their current line with 41mm diameter, 49mm lug to lug, it’s still fine on me but it’s really the limit.

Most other models are 42 or 43mm, it would be too huge.

Another downside is the 21mm lug width of mine. Check it, because 21mm is a pain to find other straps, especially of you lile NATO (it’s easy to find bespoke leather straps).

Finally, I would not say it’s underrated. Less known for sure, but it has a good reputation among connoisseurs.

No experience of them, but after seeing these pictures, that WILL be changing!

What model is this Alpina? I have been looking for a dress square watch and this one is exactly what I am looking for.

Im sure they recently released a 39mm version ??

Love the case shape, the Cali dial is beautiful. Only thing that puts me off is the proprietary straps. Had an Aquis years ago and the "stuck with one strap" just don't work for me unfortunately.

My bad, was thinking of the Baume & Mercier Riviera …….sorry

I’ve been trying to get my hands on this watch. Hard to find here in the US. It’s a stunner particularly paired with the ostrich strap! Caseback did a nice review of this model and the prior limited release was made with silver and included spare movements dating back to the original period of the watch — if I remember correctly.

Alpina Heritage Carrée Automatic, 140 years

Yes, the new Alpiner 4 should be 39mm iirc.

I like the dials on the Alpiner 4, it reminds me of Formex or OAT dials.

I really like this one - got a ref for it?

I think they’re overpriced.

Ah, Alpina. Bought by Frederick Constant who was subsequently bought by Citizen.

Anyway, I have three. All solid watches, all attractive, two quartz and one automatic. The automatic suffered a unique problem; the rotor broke. Got that fixed and it runs fine now. BTW, this was my first experience with the Sellita 200 movement so that did not get off to a good start.

But all in all, no qualms about Alpina.

Solid watches. Good alternatives to Hamilton and such.

Very underrated imho...

Alpine watches are terrific as long as you do not object to most folks including your good watch enthusiast buddies questioning your choice, your logic, your disposable income for your hobby because Alpina is not regarded highly for the usual reasons that obscure the general watch buying public. A few years ago, I was visiting a mall with my wife and sis in law during the semi annual sales, noticed a shop that sells Alpina decided to browse, limited selection of the brand’s catalogue but I was still keen to examine. The sales agent was reluctant to pull watches out for me to see, he said that he sells one very rarely. I suggested he needed to change professions asap.

Don’t know much about them but the brushing on that case, and the shape itself - beautiful

Love the grainy matt black dial in the first pic

Too big on the wrist at 41x42mm, but they have a 34x35mm that came out at W&W 24