Alpina, the renowned luxury watch brand, is celebrating a momentous occasion this year—their 140th anniversary. To commemorate this significant milestone, Alpina has unveiled a limited edition collection of time-only watches, aptly named the Heritage Carrée Mechanical 140 Years. What sets these watches apart is their historical movement, a rare gem that originated in 1938 and has been meticulously restored by the Swiss brand.
This exclusive collection consists of two iterations, with each version limited to a mere 14 pieces. The heart of these timepieces beats with the original manual-wound caliber, known as the caliber 490, which was registered under Swiss patent 158882. Operating at a frequency of 18,000 vibrations per hour, this caliber showcases a simple yet robust design. Noteworthy is the caliber’s exquisite finish, featuring beveled components and a sunburst-ratchet decorated wheel, exemplifying Alpina’s commitment to quality craftsmanship.
During an era when sourcing generic movements from suppliers was the norm, Alpina stood out as one of the few watchmakers to design, assemble, and finish their own in-house calibers. This made them pioneers in the industry, and the caliber 490, renowned for its patented dust-protected crown, was a testament to their innovation. Adding to its allure, the movement boasted a comparatively high power reserve of 42 hours and a specially designed elongated pallet lever to accommodate the watch’s unique rectangular shape.
To make this celebration even more extraordinary, Alpina managed to acquire around 50 pieces of the esteemed caliber 490. Out of these, 28 were encased in a newly designed custom-made case. Crafted from highly polished silver, the case measures 29.5 x 35.7mm in diameter, with a sleek thickness of just 9.71mm. Both the front and back of the case feature anti-reflective sapphire crystals, allowing enthusiasts to admire the beauty within. Completing the ensemble is a light brown ostrich leather strap with white vintage stitching and a pin buckle, providing a touch of elegance and refinement.
Both versions of the commemorative editions pay homage to Alpina’s historical roots. The watches proudly display the Alpina logo from the 1930s, accompanied by two slim central hands and a small seconds subdial positioned at 6 o’clock, a signature style of the era. The dial is adorned with a chemin de fer minuterie, harkening back to the time period as well.
The first version of the Heritage Carrée Mechanical 140 Years (Ref. AL-490BA3C10) boasts a striking black dial, adorned with full Arabic numerals and a circular small seconds display. The hands elegantly contrast with a beige hue. On the other hand, the second version (Ref. AL-490SA3C10) features a silver dial with black hands, while the Arabic numerals adopt a more upright font reminiscent of the “Années Folles.” The small seconds subdial takes on a square shape, adding a touch of uniqueness to this exceptional timepiece.
In terms of pricing, the Heritage Carrée Mechanical 140 Years carries a price tag of $5,400 when converted to USD (CHF 4,995), reflecting the exclusivity and craftsmanship behind these limited edition watches.
As Alpina celebrates its 140th anniversary, the Heritage Carrée Mechanical 140 Years collection pays tribute to the brand’s rich heritage and commitment to exceptional watchmaking. With only 14 pieces available in each version, these timepieces are not only a testament to Alpina’s past but also a true collector’s dream. Embodying the fusion of history and horology, this limited edition series is poised to captivate enthusiasts and connoisseurs alike.
Specifications: Alpina Heritage Carrée Mechanical 140 Years
| Feature | Alpina AL-490BA3C10 | Alpina AL-490SA3C10 |
|---|---|---|
| Case | Stainless steel | Stainless steel |
| Case size | 42mm | 42mm |
| Dial color | Black | Blue |
| Lume | Super-LumiNova | Super-LumiNova |
| Water resistance | 100 meters | 100 meters |
| Strap | Stainless steel bracelet | Leather strap |
| Movement | Automatic | Automatic |
| Functions | Hours, minutes, seconds, date, chronograph | Hours, minutes, seconds, date, chronograph |
| Power reserve | 48 hours | 48 hours |
| Winding | Automatic | Automatic |
| Frequency | 28,800 vph | 28,800 vph |
| Jewels | 42 | 42 |
| Limited edition | No | No |
About the author
I'm a luxury watch enthusiast and digital marketer hailing from Austin, TX. My passion for beautiful timepieces comes from the value I place on my own time. Expertly crafted watches give us all beautiful, daily reminders of how precious our time is.