Taking Flight: Discovering The Retro Joy Of Alpina’s Startimer Pilot Heritage Chronograph 

If you’re an aviation buff, you probably have a traditional pilot watch. You know, large, legible, and open dial, Arabic numerals and indexes, high-contrast hands, all housed in a round puck-sized case with an oversized crown. A classic pilot watch is a must-have in any serious watch wardrobe.
 

But Alpina's Startimer Pilot Heritage collection offers aviation buffs something a little different: timepieces to meet any flyboy’s exacting standards, but a little less supersized. And now, Alpina is adding another stylish addition to the family, the vintage-inspired Startimer Pilot Heritage Chronograph.  

Frequent fliers have always been attracted to the Startimer because of its distinctive look. Its unique case falls somewhere between a cushion and a "Bullhead" shape, a design that is more often associated with motorsport timepieces. Also, with its 42 x 40.75mm diameter, it’s a little better proportioned for most wrists.

And now, with the addition of a chrono complication, it looks sportier than most Pilot watches. Appropriate, considering that Alpina basically invented the sports watch in 1883.
 

Currently, this bicompax chronograph comes in two versions: a relatively reserved pale grey and anthracite and a racy blue and grey with red hands. For extra throwback appeal, both variations feature a stainless steel case that is polished on the sides and satin-finished on top. The Startimer Pilot Heritage Chronograph is a funky but functional timepiece, with circular guilloché counters for improved light diffusion and hour and minute baton hands treated in Super-LumiNova for visibility in all light conditions.

The silver dial comes on a handsome brown leather strap, the blue with a black leather band.