Alpina’s Startimer Pilot has always sat in that useful middle ground between instrument watch and everyday companion.
The latest Solarmetre series makes that proposition easier to live with, pairing the familiar aviation dial layout with a slimmer 38mm case and a light-powered movement.
It’s a pragmatic move for a collection built around legibility, reliability and low-fuss wear.
At a glance
- Alpina has added a Startimer Pilot Solarmetre sub-series with solar quartz movements.
- The new models use 38mm cases, translucent solar dials and the AL-140 calibre with up to 10 months of autonomy.
- Prices start at £995 for the black and navy models, rising to £1,095 for the sand brown PVD version.
A smaller Startimer with cockpit clarity
The most obvious change is the case size.
Where the recent Startimer Pilot Automatic sits at 40mm, the Solarmetre models measure 38mm across and 9.32mm thick.
That thinner profile is helped by the absence of an automatic winding rotor, giving the watch a flatter, easier feel on the wrist.
For a pilot-style watch, 38mm also shifts the character slightly.
It still has the clear numerals and high-contrast layout expected from an aviation watch, but the proportions now edge closer to the versatility of a field watch.
That matters because not every collector wants a pilot’s watch to dominate the wrist.
The reduced diameter should make the Startimer Pilot Solarmetre more approachable for smaller wrists, while still retaining the open dial and straightforward reading that define the line.
Solar power joins Alpina’s aviation line
Inside is Alpina’s AL-140, a solar quartz movement developed with La Joux-Perret.
Once fully charged, the movement can run for up to 10 months without further exposure to light.
In normal use, where the watch sees daylight or artificial light regularly, that makes battery anxiety largely irrelevant.
It’s the same solar technology used in Alpina’s Alpiner Solarmetre collection, now applied to a more aviation-oriented design.
The practical advantage is clear.
You get quartz accuracy, a long running time and no routine winding requirement, all in a watch that still presents like a traditional pilot’s piece rather than a gadget.
The Solarmetre approach also gives Alpina a way to make quartz feel more considered.
This isn’t simply a battery-powered alternative to the automatic Startimer, but a distinct execution with its own technical logic.
Translucent dials and three distinct finishes
The dial design stays close to the refreshed Startimer Pilot language.
Alpina’s triangle sits at 12 o’clock in place of a numeral, with clean Arabic hour markers around the rest of the dial.
The difference is in the construction.
Because the movement is charged by light, the dials are translucent enough to allow energy to reach the solar cells beneath.
There are three versions at launch.
The black and navy blue models use stainless steel cases, while the brown dial is paired with a sand-toned PVD case finish.
Alpina has also used colour to separate the Solarmetre watches from their automatic siblings.
The triangle logo appears in sky blue rather than the traditional red, a small visual cue that links the watch to its solar powertrain.
Strap choices follow the character of each model.
The black version comes on leather, the navy blue model uses Cordura fabric and the brown PVD edition is matched with a sand beige NATO strap.
How it sits in the Startimer range
The pricing places these models close to the automatic Startimer Pilot, rather than positioning them as entry-level quartz options.
The black and navy references are priced at £995, while the brown PVD version is £1,095.
That narrow gap makes the choice less about saving money and more about how the owner wants to use the watch.
The automatic remains the more traditional route, but the Solarmetre is the lower-maintenance option with a slimmer case and a more compact footprint.
For anyone who likes the Startimer look but wants a grab-and-go watch for regular wear, the solar models make a strong case.
Details & Specifications
| Brand | Alpina |
|---|---|
| Model | Startimer Pilot Solarmetre |
| References | AL-140BW3S26, AL-140BLW3S26, AL-140BR3S25 |
| Case size | 38mm diameter, 9.32mm thickness |
| Case material | Stainless steel, with sand brown PVD finish on the brown variant |
| Dial | Black, navy blue or brown grained translucent solar dial |
| Movement | Alpina AL-140 solar quartz |
| Power reserve | Up to 10 months when fully charged |
| Functions | Hours, minutes, seconds and date |
| Water resistance | 100 metres, 10 bar |
| Strap | Black leather, navy blue Cordura fabric or sand beige NATO strap with pin buckle |
| Price | £995 for black and navy blue, £1,095 for brown PVD |
The Startimer Pilot Solarmetre is a quietly sensible addition to Alpina’s pilot watch family.
It keeps the collection’s legible character intact, but the smaller case and solar movement make it easier to wear, easier to maintain and likely easier to recommend to a wider group of buyers.
