Alpina
Plan-les-Ouates, Switzerland · Est. 1883
Founded by Gottlieb Hauser
Alpina was founded in 1883 in Geneva and played a significant role in standardising Swiss watchmaking practices through the Alpina Union. Today it is best known for its Startimer pilot watches and Alpiner sport models, offering Swiss manufacture movements at accessible price points.
- Founded
- 1883
- Headquarters
- Plan-les-Ouates, Switzerland
- Group
- Citizen Watch Group
- Price Segment
- Mid
- Status
- Active
Key Collections
- Alpiner — The flagship sports collection — robust all-terrain with anti-magnetic protection and in-house movements.
- Startimer Pilot — Aviation-inspired pilot watches with clean functional dials and Swiss manufacture calibres.
- Seastrong Diver — Professional dive watches with 300m water resistance and robust Swiss construction.
- Alpiner Extreme — High-performance outdoor watch for mountaineers — world time, compass, extreme durability.
- Comtesse — Alpina's feminine collection blending Swiss sport heritage with elegant design.
Timeline
- 1883 — Gottlieb Hauser founds the Swiss Watchmakers Corporation (Union Horlogère Suisse) in Winterthur, establishing Alpina as a cooperative of watchmakers.
- 1901 — Alpina introduces the four pillars of a sport watch: anti-magnetic, water-resistant, shock-resistant, stainless steel — revolutionary standards decades ahead of their time.
- 1938 — Alpina creates the Alpina 4, setting the template for the modern sports watch.
- 1981 — Alpina ceases operations during the quartz crisis.
- 2002 — Frédérique Constant acquires Alpina, relaunching it with a fresh sporting identity.
- 2015 — Alpina launches the Horological Smartwatch — analogue Swiss watch with embedded activity tracking, without a digital screen.
- 2016 — Citizen Holdings acquires Frédérique Constant Group, including Alpina.
- 2025 — Expanded Alpiner Extreme with California dial variants. Debuted at Watches & Wonders Geneva 2025.
- 2026 — Launched Alpiner Extreme Solarmetre, brand first solar-powered collection (37.5mm, 10-month reserve in darkness).
Frequently Asked Questions about Alpina
- What makes Alpina watches special?
- Alpina invented the concept of the modern sports watch in 1901, introducing anti-magnetic, shock-resistant, water-resistant construction decades before others. This functional innovation continues in every Alpiner and Startimer.
- Does Alpina make its own movements?
- Yes. Alpina develops Swiss manufacture movements including the AL-710 and AL-718 pilot movement, produced at their manufacture in Plan-les-Ouates, Geneva.
- What is the price range for Alpina watches?
- Most watches range from CHF 800 to CHF 3,000 — excellent value for Swiss-made sport watches with in-house movements.
- Is Alpina connected to Frédérique Constant?
- Yes. Both brands are under Citizen Holdings since 2016, sharing the manufacture in Plan-les-Ouates, Geneva.