SpotlightAlpina Heritage Carrée Mechanical 140 Years Returns With A New Calibre
After marking their 140th anniversary with two new Alpina Heritage Carrée Mechanical 140 Years timepieces, the Swiss watch brand presents two new models driven by automatic movements, at Geneva Watch Days 2023.
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The story of Alpina goes back to 1883 when Gottlieb Hauser founded the company in Geneva, Switzerland. Its ‘Alpina 4’ concept of 1903, emphasising the four key principles—antimagnetic, anti-shock, water-resistant, and stainless steel construction—set the stage for modern sports watches. In the early 2000s, the brand experienced a revival under the guidance of Frederique Constant. They began to focus on producing sports and luxury watches that blend traditional Swiss crafts with contemporary design and technology. In 2023, Alpina celebrated its 140th anniversary by introducing two limited edition Heritage Carrée Mechanical 140 Years watches in June. For the 2023 Geneva Watch Days, they are launching two new similar versions with automatic movements. This release encapsulates Alpina’s enduring devotion to horological prowess, a timeless fusion of crafts and innovation.
A Re-Imagination of the Past: The Heritage Carrée
In 2023, Alpina celebrated its 140th anniversary with a special release. They restored and placed vintage calibre 490 movements into the new Heritage Carrée Mechanical 140 Years watches, featuring rectangular silver cases, a first for the brand.
Calibre 490 was a groundbreaking innovation from 85 years ago, embodying Alpina’s advanced technology and airtight design with its patented dust-proof crown. Swiss patent number 158882 protected this movement, known for its meticulous craftsmanship and sun-brushed finish. The hand-wound calibre AL-490 maintains the 1930s’ standards, beating at 18,000 vibrations per hour and offering a 42-hour power reserve.
For Geneva Watch Days 2023, Alpina maintains the deep heritage of the timepiece and allows similar features between the earlier and most recent version. Like its predecessor, the new edition pays homage to Alpina’s heritage and its commitment to blending vintage craftsmanship with modern precision.
What Lies Within: Calibre AL530
While the earlier version of the Heritage Carrée Mechanical 140 Years watches feature the classic and legendary Calibre AL-490, the latest edition houses the automatic mechanical AL-530 calibre. This special movement was designed and optimised for the 21st century making it efficient and stylish. The visibly open caseback offers a magnificent view of the movement. It guarantees 38 hours of power reserve with a frequency of 28,800 alt./h.
The Heritage Carrée Case
The calibre Al-530, like the earlier editions, is a shaped movement which dictates the shape of the case rather than the other way around. Additionally Alpina’s obsession with making its timepieces resistant to wear and tear led to the creation of a new bespoke case to house the calibre. Made from mirror-polished silver, the square-shaped timepiece measures 32.50X39mm with a thickness of just 9.71mm. With clean lines, short lugs, and a crown neatly integrated into the case, the timepiece offers an architectural elegance when set on the wrist. The antiglare sapphire crystal on both sides of the case offers a fantastic view of the calibre 530, through the back.
The Colours In The Heritage Carrée
The 2023 Heritage Carrée Mechanical 140 Years is available in a black and silver dial. These new editions feature Alpina’s period logo, two slim central hands, a small seconds counter at six o’clock, and a ‘rail track’ minute circle—a sign of the times.
The Alpina Heritage Carrée Mechanical 140 Years watch features an elegant light brown ostrich leather strap with off-white stitching, closed by a pin buckle.
