The Alpina Seastrong Diver Heritage Watch Review

The Alpina Seastrong Diver Heritage Watch Review

The Alpina Seastrong Diver Heritage Watch Review

The Alpina Diver Heritage, a homage towards the vintage Alpina Seastrong 10, is yet another retro re-edition of the old vintage diver ‘Super Compressor’ model in the 1970’s. I believe that within this situation it’s fair to state Alpina has selected wisely in answering the vintage-inspired trend, a method effectively adopted by many people other brands already. So, what's the Seastrong, and just how will it compare within this crowded segment from the market? Monochrome dives into the field of Alpina and also the new Seastrong Diver Heritage to discover.

ALPINA - The Organization

Alpina Watches is among individuals Swiss manufacturers that's possibly not the main thing on the when it comes to exposure however, it features a story that should find out. The organization began in Plan-l'ensemble des-Ouates, Geneva, Europe in 1883 by Gottlieb Hauser, a watch manufacturing company in Winterthur who also founded the Swiss Watchmakers Corporation (“Union Horlogère Suisse”) using the sole reason for uniting Swiss watchmaking industry forces to have the greatest quality and technical innovation in manufacturing. In 1908, around the occasion of their 25th anniversary, the company name ‘Alpina’ was registered and it was agreed for use just for watches that featured select high-quality calibers. Included in this calibres with Breguet hairsprings and paying balances. In parallel, the Alpina red triangular emblem, the ‘Alpiner’, was created.

The Alpina Seastrong Diver Heritage Watch Review

Annually later the organization expanded its watch manufacturing to Germany and founded the Pr?cisions-Uhrenfabrik Alpina Glashütte i/S in Glashütte. The Union`s factories were right now situated in Geneva, Biel, Besan?on (France) and Glashütte. From there forward the company ongoing to increase as well as in 1913 the Kriegsmarine (German Navy) purchased Alpina chronometers and used them as standard equipment. Unlike that which was used more generally at that time, the Alpina chronometer used a Glashütte escapement, rather from the typical Swiss anchor escapement. In 1926 the organization established an worldwide watch guarantee. Alpina’s comprehensive worldwide guarantee system, the very first available, confirmed the status and marketing adroitness of the trademark, along with the top quality and longevity of Alpina watches.

vintage-alpina-4-adIn 1938 Alpina introduced the legendary ‘Alpina 4’. The amount ‘4’ alluded towards the four essential characteristics of the sports watch: Antimagnetic, water-resistant, anti-shock and stainless (situation). The timepiece was outfitted using the hands-wound Alpina 592 calibre. Seven years later the organization manufactured its first automatic movement. The 12?-ligne, 5.5-mm-tall, self-winding caliber 582, also referred to as the ‘P82′, were built with a sub dial for that seconds at 6 o’clock along with a power reserve of 40h. The organization ongoing to innovate, offering superior quality products within the ensuing years. This leads us as much as 1969 if this introduced its landmark diver watch, the Alpina Diver ’10 Seastrong.’

This professional diving watch was outfitted having a 17 jewel Automatic self-winding caliber. The ’10 Seastrong’ featured 2 crowns, one of these was utilized to manage the interior rotating bezel that measured passed time via a 1-60 min scale. The ‘Seastrong’ was water-resistant to 200m and anti-magnetic coupled with the characteristic super-compressor situation like a number of other watches for diving of times. The situation was built through the situation manufacturer Ervin Piquerez S.A. (EPSA). They developed a patented situation sealing way in which really grew to become more water-tight the much deeper the timepiece went. The much deeper you went, the greater pressure was put on the situation-back, pressing it from the O-ring gasket. Many of these situation-backs were built with a spring in it, so the back was tight without having to be completely compressed from the situation. In parallel the O-ring was without full pressure onto it constantly which helped extend its existence.

Out of the box the situation with lots of other Swiss watchmaking companies the 1970’s marked the beginning of a decline for Alpina. Following the devastating results of the Quarta movement Crisis, Alpina missed the renaissance of mechanical watches, which started within the mid 1980s. For a long time the company drifted with no obvious direction. Fortuitously, in the last second, when Alpina appeared inexorably coming toward the watchmaking oblivion, Nederlander entrepreneurs Peter and Aletta Stas (proprietors of Frédérique Constant) came to the scene and purchased the organization in 2002. Annually later the company presented its first sports collection underneath the new possession in the Basel-World worldwide watch fair. After many effective moves that strengthened its position on the market, Alpina, in 2016 and almost fifty years after its very first, presented the Alpina ‘Seastrong 10’ diving watch, a watch that as the organization states is “more than the usual replica, [rather it's] a contemporary interpretation of the Swiss watchmaking classic”. So, will it meet expectations?

THE ALPINA DIVER HERITAGE, TRIBUTE TO SEASTRONG 10

First of all the Alpina Diver Heritage, tribute to Seastrong 10, is an additional retro re-edition of the old vintage model. However, the situation from the new Alpina Seastrong Diver Heritage isn't a super compressor situation, rather it simply appears like one to be able to re-enforce that vintage look also to get rid of the task towards the competition, (Longines Legend Diver and Oris Divers 60-Five). The situation is made from 316L stainless and measures 42mm across and 12,3mm tall consequently the timepiece is overall very balanced around the wrist. The crown at 2 o’clock controls the interior rotating bezel, and also the crown at 3:30 o’clock controls time setting, date setting, and enables for hands winding. These crowns are fitted having a screw lower system, to avoid water flushing in to the situation. The down-side of the internal turning ring is apparent you are able to only adjust it over the water. The screw-lower caseback features an engraving of All downhill origins. Also water proofing (300 meters) and model name and number are pointed out.

This model is provided in 2 variants: one having a white-colored and black dial (Ref. AL-525S4H6), and yet another having a gray and fast dial (Ref. AL-525G4H6). The previous includes a more sporty appearance, and other alike color plan towards the original, as the latter includes a more dark, more elegant aesthetic. The main one we'd for review may be the white-colored version which for me has much more of a heritage turn to it compared to black one. The contrast from the white-colored dial using the dark internal rotating bezel looks superb. Maintaining your indexes easy and only mentioning the 15, 30 and 45 min marks keeps it spartan, neat and simple. We discover the date window at over 3 o’clock and also the hands are formed similar to the original ones. They're straight flat and also at the finish from the minute hands the triangular/arrow formed tip can there be to supply better visibility even just in poor light conditions. Both your hands possess a generous spread of luminova in it, also is put into the triangular from the internal rotating ring. Obviously the very is azure.

The initial movement utilized in the Alpina 10 was the 572C calibre. This were built with a power reserve of 42 hrs along with a frequency of 18.800 A/h. Within the new model the movement is designated: AL-525. This can be a modified SW 200 from Sellita. The organization introduced their calibre SW 200 like a direct substitute for that ETA 2824. It uses the majority of the same components during 2008 there have been some changes that improved reliability. The calibre is self-winding, having a ball-bearing rotor, hacking seconds along with a power reserve of roughly 38 hrs. Its dimensions are 11.5 ligne and beats at 4Hz. Alpina’s version has changes which are based in the detailing from the parts and altered rotor. Overall I've found the option of calibre like a solid one. Nothing fancy but it's reliable, fairly accurate and will get the task done. Finally the timepiece has a leather strap that is water-resistant leather to become used near or underneath the water. The strap is closed having a simple tang buckle, engraved using the Alpiner emblem.

OVERALL IMPRESSION

So, who's this watch out for? Before I answer which i must explain the Alpina Heritage Seastrong is an excellent watch out for the cost. It's nothing fancy when it comes to technology but will get the job done during parallel its most powerful point is its vintage take care of all you don't see many 2-crown divers nowadays. Which means this watch is perfect for somebody that appreciates vintage character and appears greater than usability, also it could be considered a great conversation piece. In the end it's a beautiful and balanced watch that is great looking. Will it don't have any any particular areas? Obviously because there is nothing perfect. The interior rotating ring usage (unlock the crown for setting) is restrictive if a person wants for doing things positively underneath the surface. However, I do not believe that anybody will attempt this, even though the Alpina Heritage doesn't don't have any specifications.

They at Alpina were able to keep your original watch alive with the 550d. Her same looks however with a contemporary twist into it. There's without doubt i believe that this is a large seller for Alpina because the watch has pedigree, a sub $2K cost, as well as an attractive wrist presence. In addition, this is a reasonably departure in the bigger dive models inside the logo and is one thing consumers happen to be requesting. Your competition, comes mainly in the Longines Legend Diver and also the Oris 65, both biggest sellers and well-established propositions within the minds and hearts of vintage inspired aficionados. I believe the Alpina Heritage Diver has all that it requires to effectively contend with the above mentioned. In the end it is extremely attractive, well-crafted, and priced very competitively. Overall I believe this watch is a superb alternative for somebody who desires a dressy vintage inspired diver having a plenty of character.