Gnomon Watches — an online watch retailer specializing in accessibly-priced mechanical pieces — has added a new Alpina model to its website. Dubbed the Startimer Pilot Heritage GMT, the new model packs a mechanical GMT movement at a low price, not to mention a spot-on retro design.
The Startimer is powered by Alpina’s AL-550 (which based on a Sellita movement), an automatic with a true GMT function. But rather than having an additional hour hand for the GMT function, the movement drives a disc at the center of the dial, indicating the second time zone. The movement sits in a very 1970s-looking tonneau-shaped case that comes in a 42mm and 12mm thick. The retro vibes continue on the dial, which comes in four colors: a dark Glacier Blue, a lighter Sunset Blue, an inky black and Salmon. All four have a beautiful metallic sheen and pair with an orange seconds hand and a boxed crystal that really do make the watches look like they were plucked right from the ’70s.
In fact, the watch looks like a faithful remake of an Alpina watch from the ’70s called the Dispomatic. The Dispomatic was actually an alarm watch, not a GMT, but the new watch’s GMT disc convincingly takes the place of the Dispomatic’s alarm function. Otherwise, the case, dial and even the hands look like authentic recreations of the original.
While we got a sneak peek at the watch when it showed up on Gnomon Watches in May, the watch is now officially available from Alpina. And the best part is the price: expect it to retail for $1,395.
The best way to catch up on the day’s most important product releases and stories. Read the Story
