Tiếng ViệtALPINA has just released two new versions of its Startimer Pilot Heritage, featuring eye-catching blue and silver dials — and, more importantly, a movement that revives one of watchmaking’s most fascinating historical mechanisms: the “bumper” automatic.
A Revival of Forgotten Mechanics
When the Startimer Pilot Heritage first launched last year, it caught the watch world by surprise.
Not because of a radical new design or cutting-edge materials — but because ALPINA decided to resurrect the long-lost “bumper” winding system, giving it a 21st-century rebirth.
Case and Design
The latest editions retain the same cushion-shaped case as last year’s model:
- Diameter: 42 mm
- Thickness: 13.25 mm
- Water resistance: 100 meters
While 42 mm may sound substantial, the short lug-to-lug ensures a comfortable fit on most wrists.
Finishing alternates between brushed surfaces on the bezel and polished case sides, balancing ruggedness with sophistication.
A sapphire crystal completes the construction, keeping the spirit of aviation intact.
Dial and Variants
The dial is classic aviator style, featuring large Arabic numerals and a railroad minute track, delivering excellent legibility.
Two colorways are available:
- Sky blue dial with stainless-steel case
- Warm silver dial with gold-plated case
Both versions feature baton-style hands filled with luminous material, and in keeping with vintage pilot simplicity — no date window.
The Heart of the Watch – Calibre AL-709 “Bumper” Automatic
This is where the Startimer Pilot Heritage truly shines.
While most ALPINA models rely on reliable Sellita-based automatics, the AL-709 is developed in-house and revives a mechanical concept nearly extinct today.
Historically, “bumper” automatics — nicknamed “lọc cọc” (“clunkers”) in Vietnamese — wound their mainspring via a semi-rotating mass that rebounded between springs, traveling about 120 degrees instead of the full 360° rotation used in modern rotors.
In this modern reinterpretation, ALPINA engineers have extended the swing to 330 degrees and reinforced the spring mechanism with a more robust “blade” system in place of the fragile leaf springs used in the past.
Technical specs:
- Calibre: AL-709 (in-house)
- Frequency: 4 Hz (28,800 vph)
- Power reserve: 38 hours
- Display: hours, minutes, small seconds
Visible through the caseback, the movement combines heritage mechanics with contemporary finishing and reliability — a clever fusion of nostalgia and modern engineering.
The Heart of the Watch – Calibre AL-709 “Bumper” Automatic
This is where the Startimer Pilot Heritage truly shines.
While most ALPINA models rely on reliable Sellita-based automatics, the AL-709 is developed in-house and revives a mechanical concept nearly extinct today.
Historically, “bumper” automatics — nicknamed “lọc cọc” (“clunkers”) in Vietnamese — wound their mainspring via a semi-rotating mass that rebounded between springs, traveling about 120 degrees instead of the full 360° rotation used in modern rotors.
In this modern reinterpretation, ALPINA engineers have extended the swing to 330 degrees and reinforced the spring mechanism with a more robust “blade” system in place of the fragile leaf springs used in the past.
Technical specs:
- Calibre: AL-709 (in-house)
- Frequency: 4 Hz (28,800 vph)
- Power reserve: 38 hours
- Display: hours, minutes, small seconds
Visible through the caseback, the movement combines heritage mechanics with contemporary finishing and reliability — a clever fusion of nostalgia and modern engineering.
Strap and Availability
Both versions come fitted with a brown calfskin strap accented by off-white stitching, completing the vintage pilot aesthetic.
Limited to 188 pieces each, the new models are priced at:
- €2,850 – Blue dial, stainless-steel case
- €2,950 – Silver dial, gold-plated case
Final Thoughts
The ALPINA Startimer Pilot Heritage “Bumper” Automatic stands out as a rare mechanical curiosity in a sea of conventional automatics.
It’s a faithful tribute to early automatic engineering — but reimagined for today’s collectors who appreciate both history and innovation.
Learn more at: alpina-watches.com