Just a few years ago, associating a traditional pilot's watch with a solar movement might have seemed rather strange. Yet Alpina has just done exactly that, and the result is probably much more natural than one might have imagined.

The Swiss brand is unveiling three new Alpina Startimer Pilot Solarmetre models, available in black, blue, and a more vintage version combining a brown dial, a champagne-colored case, and a sand-beige strap. But the real novelty lies behind their dials: for the first time, the Startimer collection adopts Solarmetre technology and its AL-140 caliber, developed by La Joux-Perret.

A solar quartz movement capable of recharging with both natural and artificial light and offering up to 10 months of operation in total darkness after a full charge.

The whole package is housed in a new, particularly compact 38 mm case that is only 9.32 mm thick.

In other words, these new Startimer models do not just add three colors to the Alpina catalog. They primarily open a new chapter for one of the brand's historic collections.

In a nutshell: what is the Alpina Startimer Pilot Solarmetre?

If you are discovering the watch for the first time, here is the essential information to remember.

The Alpina Startimer Pilot Solarmetre is a 38 mm Swiss Made pilot's watch equipped with the AL-140 solar quartz caliber, a technology developed by the La Joux-Perret manufacture.

Natural or artificial light passes discreetly through the dial to power the photovoltaic cells placed underneath. The collected energy is then stored in a rechargeable battery to ensure up to ten months of autonomy in total darkness after a full charge.

The three new Startimer models also benefit from an anti-reflective sapphire crystal, 100-meter water resistance, a date window at 3 o'clock, and a case only 9.32 mm thick.

Three variations are offered:

• black dial on a black leather strap;
• navy blue dial on a blue Cordura strap;
• brown dial with a champagne PVD case and a sand-beige NATO strap.

The same technology, then, but three quite different personalities.

Solar technology arrives for the first time in the Startimer Pilot collection

This is probably the most important point of these new Alpina Startimer models.

The Startimer Pilot collection is linked to the world of aviation and has long upheld the classic codes of the pilot's watch: highly legible dials, generous indices, high contrast, and robust construction. Alpina, in fact, has claimed ties to pilots since the 1920s.

But behind this deliberately traditional aesthetic, the brand has today decided to integrate much more modern technology. For the first time, a Startimer runs on light energy.

And Alpina has quite cleverly avoided transforming the watch just to show it off. No visible photovoltaic cell, no dial that immediately gives the impression of looking at a solar watch, no futuristic aesthetic.

At first glance, the Startimer Pilot Solarmetre remains a Startimer first and foremost. The technology simply makes it more high-performance and ergonomic.

How does the Alpina AL-140 caliber work?

The new AL-140 Solarmetre caliber works on a principle that is fairly simple to understand:

The watch dial is slightly translucent. Natural or artificial light can therefore pass through it without the solar cells placed underneath becoming visually apparent.

These cells capture the light and convert it into electrical energy.

This energy is then directed to a rechargeable battery, while an integrated circuit manages its use and storage to power the movement.

As long as the watch is regularly exposed to light during normal use, the system recharges automatically.

In practice, you hardly have to do anything. And that is probably the best way to use solar technology in a watch: to completely forget that it is even there.

Up to 10 months in the dark

Once fully charged, the Alpina Startimer Pilot Solarmetre can continue to run for up to ten months in total darkness.

This primarily means that there is obviously no need to leave the watch in the sun constantly. It simply recharges as it is worn thanks to the various light sources to which it is exposed.

And if you decide to store it for several weeks or months, its power reserve allows it to keep running.

In a watch designed around the idea of reliability and instrumentation, this technology ultimately makes a lot of sense.

 

La Joux-Perret behind the AL-140 caliber

The name La Joux-Perret also deserves a moment of attention. Because the AL-140 caliber is not just a solar movement bought from a catalog and then renamed by Alpina.

The Solarmetre technology was developed within the group by the Swiss manufacture La Joux-Perret. This is an important detail.

La Joux-Perret possesses genuine expertise in the development and production of watch movements, and its involvement allows Alpina to offer a solar solution designed specifically around its own collections—a solar solution that is already proving its worth for major brands, such as Tag Heuer, for example.

This is, moreover, what makes Alpina's current evolution particularly interesting.

The brand continues to offer mechanical movements across a large part of its catalog, but does not seem to consider quartz or solar as any less noble for it.

When the choice makes sense for the watch, it uses it. And in the case of a Startimer Pilot designed as a reliable, legible, and easy-to-live-with watch, the Solarmetre is ultimately quite logical.

 

A solar watch that doesn't look like a solar watch

This is probably our favorite detail about the project.

It would have been easy for Alpina to try to visually highlight the technology. The brand does almost the opposite. The grained dial is designed to let enough light through to the photovoltaic cells while maintaining its traditional appearance.

On the black version, for example, we find a true pilot's watch dial, with a grained finish, large indices, and immediate legibility.

You have to know the watch to understand what is going on behind the scenes. Solar therefore becomes a technical feature rather than an aesthetic element. And that is precisely what allows the Startimer Solarmetre to maintain its identity.

 

A new 38 mm case

The other very pleasant surprise is in the dimensions.

These new Alpina Startimer Pilot Solarmetre models adopt a brand new case of only 38 mm in diameter and 9.32 mm in thickness.

This is particularly compact for an aviation-inspired watch. Historically, pilot's watches have often been associated with large diameters, mainly for reasons of legibility.

Alpina has therefore made a different choice. The dial retains a large opening and highly legible indices, but the watch becomes much more universal on the wrist.

The result should work on a much wider variety of wrists, while maintaining enough presence not to lose the Startimer identity.

And at less than 10 mm thick, this new generation becomes, above all, extremely comfortable to wear. On paper, it is probably one of the evolutions we appreciate the most.

 

The three new Alpina Startimer Pilot Solarmetre models

Alpina is launching three configurations simultaneously. Same movement, same dimensions, and same main technical characteristics. But visually, each takes a quite different direction.

Black Alpina Startimer Pilot Solarmetre: the most classic

The first, reference AL-140BW3S26, is probably the one that best corresponds to the traditional image of a pilot's watch.

The 38 mm steel case surrounds a black grained dial, with large luminous indices and very marked contrast.

The black leather strap features white stitching, further reinforcing the instrumental aspect of the watch.

It is understated. Highly legible. And above all, immediately identifiable as a Startimer.

If you are looking for an Alpina Startimer Pilot that retains the traditional aviation aesthetic as much as possible while taking advantage of the new Solarmetre technology, this is probably the most obvious of the three.

Its official price is announced at €1,095.

Blue Alpina Startimer Pilot Solarmetre: the most modern

The second, reference AL-140BLW3S26, completely changes the mood.

The dial becomes navy blue, still with a grained finish, while the leather strap gives way to a matching Cordura textile strap. The whole thing immediately appears more contemporary.

This blue remains dark enough to maintain very good legibility, but gives the watch a personality that is less classic and probably easier to integrate into everyday use.

It is also a color that allows you to slightly break away from the military codes traditionally associated with pilot's watches.

If we had to choose the most versatile of the three, it would probably be this one.

It is also offered at €1,095.

Alpina Startimer Pilot Solarmetre champagne and beige: the most original

The third reference, AL-140BR3S25, is clearly different. And probably the most original.

Its steel case receives a champagne PVD treatment, while the dial adopts a grained brown color. The set is combined with a sand-beige NATO-type strap.

Technically, speaking of a "beige Alpina Startimer" would therefore be a shortcut: the dial is brown, the case is champagne, and it is mainly the strap that brings this sand tone.

Visually, on the other hand, it is easy to understand why this version might be sought after as such. The general atmosphere is much warmer and more neo-retro than the other two.

It retains the codes of an aviator watch but adds almost a dimension of exploration to them.

Alpina clearly positions it as the most adventurous version of the trio.

Its official price is €1,195, which is €100 more than the black and blue steel versions.

 

Why the Alpina triangle is turning blue

If you are already familiar with Alpina watches, a small detail should quickly catch your eye.

The traditional red triangle associated with the brand changes color here. On Solarmetre models, it becomes azure blue, notably on the second hand and certain elements of the dial.

This choice is intentional.

Since solar technology remains practically invisible, Alpina wanted to give Solarmetre watches an identifiable hallmark. Blue is therefore gradually becoming the color associated with this technology.

It is subtle. But distinctive enough to allow connoisseurs of the Alpina brand to identify the watch.

 

Black, blue, or champagne: which Startimer Solarmetre should you choose?

Technically, the question is very simple: they all work in the same way.

The choice will therefore essentially be based on style.

The black Startimer Pilot Solarmetre is the most traditional. It is the one we would recommend to someone looking primarily for a classic pilot's watch that is highly legible and easy to pair.

The blue version is probably the most versatile. It remains sufficiently understated while bringing a more contemporary personality.

The champagne, brown, and sand beige version is, finally, the most distinctive. It will better suit someone who wants a watch with a vintage aesthetic and much more character.

And as is often the case, we strongly advise you to see them on the wrist. With three technically identical watches, the color changes the perception enormously.

 

Solar or automatic: which Alpina Startimer to choose?

This is likely a question that these new Startimers will quickly raise.

And the answer depends mostly on what you are looking for in a watch.

If your pleasure comes from the mechanical movement, the oscillating weight, the winding, and the operation of a traditional caliber, a Startimer Pilot Automatic will obviously remain better suited.

The Solarmetre offers something else. It prioritizes precision, autonomy, and simplicity. You pick it up, you wear it, the light recharges it, and it keeps running. 

There is, therefore, no real competition between the two philosophies.

An automatic Startimer and a Solarmetre Startimer simply address two different ways of enjoying a watch. And we find it quite interesting that Alpina offers exactly this choice.

 

2026, an important year for the Alpina Startimer collection

These new Solarmetres are not an isolated launch. Alpina is working extensively on its Startimer collection in 2026.

The range has already undergone a significant evolution with the arrival in April 2026 of new Startimer Pilot Automatics, which are more compact and equipped with a new generation of movement.

A few months later, the brand is going even further with this solar variation of just 38 mm.

There is, therefore, a real desire to modernize the Startimer without abandoning what makes it identifiable.

 

The Solarmetre technology does not start with the Startimer

Even though this new generation is the first solar Startimer, the AL-140 caliber does not come completely out of nowhere.

Alpina had already begun exploring this technology on its Alpiner Extreme Solarmetre.

It is therefore now a true technological family that is beginning to be built at Alpina.

The Alpiner Extreme uses it in a much more contemporary and sporty watch.

The Startimer now integrates it into a more traditional aviation universe.

And who knows, perhaps next year, it will be the Seastrong's turn to have a solar version! 

And this second application is probably even more interesting, since it shows that the Solarmetre is not simply linked to a single design. Alpina really seems to want to make it one of the technological pillars of its catalog.

 

Alpina: much more than the Startimer Pilot

If these new Alpina Startimer Pilot Solarmetres are your first encounter with the brand, you should know that the Alpina catalog today is much broader.

Founded in Switzerland in 1883, Alpina has built its identity around sports watches and the idea of watchmaking designed to accompany demanding activities.

This philosophy is found today in several major collections.

The Startimer Pilot obviously represents the aeronautical universe.

The Seastrong focuses more on diving watches.

The Alpiner Extreme adopts a more contemporary and sporty approach, with its easily recognizable cushion case.

And the Heritage range allows Alpina to revisit a part of its history with watches that have a more vintage character.

It is precisely this diversity that we appreciate at PAUSE Montres.

Alpina is capable of offering a 38 mm solar pilot's watch a few months after a diver or a much more traditional mechanical piece, while maintaining a certain coherence.

 

Why we like offering Alpina at PAUSE

Alpina is one of those brands that is sometimes much better known by enthusiasts than by the general public. And that is precisely what makes it interesting to present.

Behind a historical Swiss name, the catalog often offers a lot of technical content for prices that remain relatively reasonable on the scale of Swiss watchmaking.

Some references prioritize automatic movements. Others explore more original constructions. And today, the Solarmetre opens yet another new path.

We also particularly appreciate the fact that Alpina does not try to lock all its watches into the same style.

A Startimer does not look like a Seastrong.

An Alpiner Extreme possesses an immediately different identity.

And the Heritage collections tell yet another story.

This allows us above all to offer Alpina watches to very different profiles.

 

Where to buy an Alpina Startimer Pilot Solar in France?

The three new Alpina Startimer Pilot Solarmetres join the Alpina selection offered at PAUSE Montres.

You can look at the different references directly on our online boutique and compare their features, their straps, and their colors.

The first deliveries are currently announced by Alpina during November 2026.

And if you wish to discover Alpina in a way other than through photographs, our physical boutique in Toulouse also allows you to discover the models of the brand available at PAUSE and take the time to try them on.

This is particularly interesting with these new Startimers.

Between the black, the blue, and the champagne version, the sensations are truly different even though the technical sheet remains almost identical.

If you order online, we obviously remain available to advise you before purchase, send you more information, or help you choose between several Alpina references.

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