Holding patterns
Management of holding patterns and a back-up to aircraft instruments or for vintage planes without glass cockpits or GPS.
UTC
UTC time for a global time reference, eliminating the confusion between time zones during long flights.
Chronograph
For calculating holding patterns and to calculate distance, speed, and fuel consumption. A critical backup or primary tool for flight safety.
12h Counter
For total flight time measurement, also for long flights.
Alpina & the Pilot’s Watch
Founded in 1883, Alpina has long stood at the intersection of Swiss precision and real-world performance. From mountaineering to aviation, the brand built its reputation by creating watches conceived not as ornaments, but as instruments—tools designed to serve professionals in extreme conditions.
Aviation naturally became part of Alpina’s DNA. Early pilot watches focused on absolute legibility, intuitive operation, and functional robustness—qualities essential in the cockpit, where time is not an abstraction, but a flight-critical reference.
This philosophy lives on in the Startimer Pilot collection. Inspired by historical cockpit instruments, Startimer Pilot watches are defined by clear typography, high contrast dials, oversized crowns, and purpose-driven complications—each element serving the pilot first, the aesthetic second.
More than a design language, Startimer Pilot represents Alpina’s enduring belief that the most beautiful watches are those born from function, shaped by necessity, and trusted in action.
Watch Angels + Alpina Startimer Pilot IFR Limited Edition
Conceived as a true modern pilot’s instrument—designed to answer a real operational need in the cockpit.
At its core lies a unique holding-pattern management system, allowing pilots to intuitively track and control racetrack patterns using the chronograph hand, bezel, and a dedicated sub-dial. This functionality transforms a traditionally abstract procedure into a clear, mechanical, and instantly readable visual reference—precisely when workload and situational awareness matter most.
Beyond this signature IFR capability, the watch integrates essential long-flight and global-aviation functions, including a UTC indication and a 12-hour chronograph totalizer, reinforcing its role as a comprehensive flight companion.
As the flagship of Alpina’s renewed Startimer Pilot collection, the Startimer Pilot IFR marks a decisive step forward for the line. It will be officially unveiled at Watches and Wonders 2026, embodying Alpina’s enduring belief that the future of pilot watches lies not in nostalgia, but in meaningful, purpose-driven innovation.