Alpina Startimer Pilot Owner Review : Concise, reliable and robust

I was absolutely seduced by the design of this watch: refined, with a small red accent on the hands; a good overall balance with the date at 6 o'clock that does not spoil the symmetry; a very beautiful brushed metal finish. The watch is also quite precise and very robust in appearance. It is a little thick, but without being bulky or heavy. I prefer to wear it on NATO or a leather strap, rather than on the original steel strap which adds to the weight and lacks micro-adjustments. That said, it is extremely versatile and can have a sporty or dressy look depending on the strap. I find the dial magnificent and perfectly readable. I would have kept it permanently, if it had not been for a comfort problem, which I think reserves this watch for large wrists. I have a wrist of about 16.5 cm, so rather thin, and this watch has never been balanced on me: on the left wrist, the crown digs into my skin, on the right wrist, the horn touches the edge of my bone which ends up becoming painful. I will therefore fall back, with regret, on watches of smaller dimensions.