Since 1883 in line with aspiration and reality

Alpina’s company history goes back to the 20^th century which is very rare among traditional watch brands. In 1883 the watch maker Gottlieb Hauser initiated a union of the leading Swiss watch makers. After the official registration of the brand ALPINA in 1901, the founders soon achieved a good reputation. The “Corporation d’Horlogers Suisse” (“Corporation of Swiss Watchmakers”) persistently aimed to maintain the quality of the movement and the watch. Soon afterwards, they caused a stir with the development and production of the company’s own calibre. Twenty years later, 2,000 dealers in the whole world, mainly in East-, North- and Middle-Europe, sold this robust and highly appealing watch brand from Biel, Switzerland. Gottlieb Hauser’s guiding principles still represents today the brand’s priorities. His target group were individuals who tend to expose themselves to extreme situations or who appreciate technological perfection. Air force pilots, divers, marines or members of the infantry, summiteersand adventurers of everyday life. Today and in former days, Hauser’s perfect Alpina watch has to fulfill all quality requirements: It is water resistant, antimagnetic, shock resistant and has a solid stainless steel case.

Tribulations and a traditional brand

ALPINA set up subsidiaries in Geneva and Besanon and expands its watch manufacturing to Germany with factories in Berlin and Glashütte / Saxony. In addition, Alpina and the North American watch manufacturer Gruen and Hamilton entered into a joint venture. Switzerland’s import restrictions to Germany during World War I was indeed a negative impact for Alpina. After 1917, the brand was divided into two independent enterprises headquartered in Geneva and Glashütte. An unprecedented continuation of the success story began in the 1920‘s and lasted until the Second World War destroyed the partnership with the subgroups. The Allies prohibited to continue to market in Germany under the name "Alpina". Therefore, one decided to rename Alpina into "DUGENA - Deutsche Uhrmacher-Genossenschaft Alpina" (German watchmaking cooperative Alpina). During the quartz crisis, when cheaply produced watches were conquering the market, ALPINA had to face a tough challenge. In 1972, the German investors initiated the headquarters’ move from the watch epicentre Geneva to Cologne. Temporally the brand solely focused on trading activities.

A new era under one strong roof

At first the renaissance of the mechanical watch was not beneficial for Alpina. By 2002 though, a strong revival revived the brand. Bought by the watch manufacturer Frédérique Constant, a new chapter for the Alpina Watches International SAbegan. At Baselworld 2003 Alpina presented a completely new watch series and reinvented itself with this collection called Avalanche. Throughout the following years, the company established itself in the market at a higher position due to several developments: AL-980 Tourbillon, AL-760 Flyback Chronograph,AL-718 World Timer, AL-950 Automatic Regulator, AL-710 Small Date. Seventy-six years, after having launched the very first Alpina 4 with hand-wound calibre, at that time the most innovative sports watch, the company came back with a new concept of the Alpina 4 in its Alpiner collection. The new version combines all traditional values which represent the credo of Alpina, set by the founder Gottlob Hauser. Still today they are one of the most demanded sports watches. HORANDO is one of the current 300 German dealers of luxury watches who displays this venerable brand both in its shop and online window.

Alpina: When less has to be more!

Apart from Alpina’s major offering, the currently six series of the Alpiner collection, there are several other assortments, especially for male enthusiasts for luxury watches. The collection Alpina Startimer addresses pilots, the Alpina Seastrong on the other hand is a watch for divers. The Horological Smartwatch, launched in 2015, with a unisex look it appeals both female and male Aficionados who want to have their wristwatch and smart phone combined in one gadget. The casual elegance of the Regulator, Avalanche, and Extreme Chrono Double is not only thrilling for amateur and extreme athletes and geeks. Persons with a fine taste and a high level of aspiration and a firm penchant for understatement always do the right choice with an Alpina luxury watch - particularly as there is a broad range of variations of this watch.

Alpina: Streamlined shape by the sea and in the air

Not only in the high mountains, where the air is thinner, but also in cockpits of airliners the highly accurate Alpina is like a competent partner. The AL-710 automatic calibre of the Alpina Startimer Pilot Manufacture receives admiring glances due to the watch’s date display and case back. The distinctive features are to be found on the dial: A red triangle emblem that is located at the base of the seconds hand and a date display with a small hand at the six o’clock position. In addition, the Alpina is equipped with white luminous hands and hand-applicated numerals and indexes which create a stunning contrast to the anthracite-coloured dial. A little bit more elegant is the Alpina 130 Heritage Pilot Chronograph in gold, equipped with a rotor. With its AL-860B4H5 movement, you are perfectly prepared for a number of light years. Let us move into the more sophisticated world and have a look at the lady’s watch Avalanche Extreme with a white ceramic case. The gold-toned bezel and the hour markers feature not less than 50 real diamonds. Screws with a triangle pattern seem to be a reflection of the legendary Alpina symbol.

Alpina can be colourful as well

After the big success of the Alpina Extreme Diver 1000 Meter-collection in 2008, the watch manufacturer demonstrated in the following year its boldness for colours while launching new diver’s watches. According to the names of these watches, one could already guess their colours: Cote d’Azur, Black Ocean, Orange Sunset, and Yellowtail. Divers can rely on the Alpina Extreme Diver; even 1000m below the sea, the watch provides maximum readability and water resistance. It is equipped with luminous hands due to Super-Luminova markings on the 48mm black PDV steel case. The Calibre AL-525 comprises a power reserve of 42 hours. The helium escape valve is located at the 10 o’clock position and is in charge of the pressure compensation within the case. Another sophisticated detail: The sapphire crystal of the case back reveals the Alpina emblem, which is positioned on the rotor. An overall perfect sports watch that is also a delight even if you do not usually stay below 1000m.