Alpina - History, Models and Owners' Reviews

The Alpina brand was created in 1883 by Gottlieb Hauser in Winterthur, Switzerland. Originally known as the Corporation of Swiss Watchmakers, it brought together several companies in the sector (manufacturers, wholesalers, retailers) with a simple objective: to consolidate purchases and reduce costs to develop new movements. The concept met great success and the Corporation quickly developed its own calibers.

History of the Alpina brand

However, it was not until 1908 that the name "Alpina" was registered by its members as a watch brand in its own right.

The brand's logo is inspired by the shape of the Matterhorn, an alpine peak that rises to an altitude of 4,478 meters. Alpina is recognized as one of the pioneers in the production of modern sports and adventure watches, particularly for activities such as mountaineering, scuba diving and skiing. Indeed, it offers a concept of accessible luxury watches for robust and quality sports watches.

The range includes models such as theAlpina Alpiner Extreme, l'Alpina Alpiner Extreme Regulator, l'Alpina Alpiner 4, l'Alpina Seastrong Diver 300 Heritage and theAlpina Startimer Pilot Chronograph. The Alpiner 4, launched in 1938, was the favorite watch of mountaineers, air force pilots, divers, sailors and soldiers in general.

The brand is also known for signing partnerships with many players in the mountain world, such as the partnership with the Chamonix-Mont-Blanc ski resort.

How much does an Alpina watch cost?

The prices of new Alpina watches change regularly and vary depending on the model. Most cost between $ 1,000 and $ 1,500. An entry-level Alpina like an Alpina Startimer Quartz costs $ 950, while an Alpina Alpiner Heritage Carrée 140th anniversary is offered at $ 5,400. Prices also fluctuate depending on the distributor, and promotions sometimes allow you to benefit from a more competitive price. The second-hand market is also an opportunity to look at to buy a cheaper Alpina.

Alpina: A historic brand that has everything of a great

Alpina belongs to the group Citizen, in the same way as brands Frederique Constant, Bulova And Arnold & Son, and produces around 15,000 watches per year, all models combined. To choose one that suits you best, the Dialicious owners' reviews are a valuable resource for evaluating each of the different models through real owner experience.

Check out the Ranking of the best Swiss watch brands, including Alpina.

(Updated March 2024)