Alpina Startimer Pilot Heritage GMT / Citizen Company Store

[Fuzzysquid]

Mine arrived today. As previously reported, it came in a shipping box with the watch box but the watch itself was separately wrapped in bubble wrap inside a plastic pouch:

8B1414A7-E314-4FD3-839C-8910FF3A6835.jpeg (66.99 KiB) Viewed 5023 times

Watch was fine, packaging was sufficient.

Plan was always to put it on a different strap:

More observations forthcoming...

[tommy_boy]

Looks great. Mine is on a brown truck heading this way.

23mm lugs, correct?

[Fuzzysquid]

Also as previously reported, papers were all there, but the warranty information was not filled out. The invoice indicates that you get the full brand warranty, so hang on to that.

Factory strap uses curved spring bars, but I was able to fit my strap on there using regular straight springbars without any issue. Have an aftermarket mesh incoming.

I contacted a few ADs about ordering the factory mesh bracelet, and the one that responded so far quoted USD $238.00. I'm thinking the aftermarket mesh will be sufficient and I'm not as inclined to spend more for the factory bracelet this time around...

[Fuzzysquid]

Yes, 23mm lugs, which is a pain in the ass to find straps for but they're out there. I'm going to fit a 22mm shark mesh when it arrives, I *think* it'll look fine.

[Potato_With_Arms]

Looks much better on the tan strap. The finish of the watch is really nice, and I really like the orange seconds. Apparently this model has the independently adjustable GMT hour hand (aka IAHH, watch timing is not interrupted to change GMT hour like the date).

It wears a little too big for me so ill be looking to sell mine.

[Fuzzysquid]

I previously owned the Alpiner 4 GMT which shares the movement in the Startimer, and was also a "true"/travelers GMT. Alpina is as far as I know still the only option for an independently adjustable hour hand that isn't an Omega, Rolex, or Tudor.

The Alpiner 4 was huge at 44mm, and really beefy. You never forgot you had it on. The Startimer is still a chunky watch but a lot more wearable in my opinion. I would love for it to be even smaller, and it's a tad more blingy than I would like (the polished surfaces are flat and wide and reflect a lot), but I'm liking it a lot

[tommy_boy]

Yes, 23mm lugs, which is a pain in the ass to find straps for but they're out there. I'm going to fit a 22mm shark mesh when it arrives, I *think* it'll look fine.

Just unboxed mine. Awesome watch and the movement is rather cool. The overall design has an elegance that I didn't expect.

Pattini offers 23mm straps. I think I'll place an order with Andrea, though, while she's offering the BF deal.

[Fuzzysquid]

On a 22mm mesh:

And a 22mm canvas strap:

I don’t notice a gap on the mesh but I’m sure the gap on the cloth strap will drive me crazy eventually

[THFPureAsGold]

Did anyone score the FC flyback chronograph?

[tommy_boy]

23mm. $60 with their BF15 coupon: https://www.totalwatchrepair.com/produc ... h-bracelet



It's in SoCal so if it goes out on Monday it should be here on Wednesday or Thursday. I'll keep you posted.

[FRSGT86]

Mine showed up yesterday packed just like in the pic above, what a strange way to ship a watch.

Other than the strap being a bit stiff, I’m OK with it. Hopefully it will get a little softer as it gets worn more.

I had been looking at this watch for quite a while, but it never came down in price enough to pull the trigger till now. Thank goodness for MOT and his deal thread and all the contributors!




When was it ever a question of need?

[tommy_boy]

The fit was tight. I'm happy with the result:



Obligatory wrist shot:

[Potato_With_Arms]

If anyone wants a go at one of their own, I have listed mine at close to the original discounted price for MoT members:

viewtopic.php?f=21&t=2376