Chronographs by Alpina
A brand name that still is being used, has presence in the vintage watch world, but never really got the attention it deserves. And one part in particular. The chronographs made by Alpina in the first half of the 1900’s.
Why? Quality, Rarity and Diversity.
——— THIS PAGE is UPDATED and MODIFIED FREQUENTLY ———
The Foundation of the name “Alpina”
Before the name Alpina the “Corporation d'Horlogers Suisse” (Swiss Watchmaker Association) was founded in 1883 by Gottlieb Hauser, and was located in Biel from 1890. From 1901, the association was called “Union Horlogère” (Watch Association). There were factories in Geneva, Biel and in French Besançon.
The name “Alpina” was initially used by “Union Horlogère” to designate internally-developed calibres and officially registered in 1901. In later years it became the staple of quality. So cases, movements and dials where signed “Alpina”.
Serial Numbers
Alpina Valjoux 13 serial number 1355
There’s continuity in the serial numbers of Alpina wrist watches. The important factors for these criteria are; wrist watch, steel (gold merges in the serial range around 1938) and men size.
1xxx serials
The first known wrist chronograph known has serial number 1355. Dating to approx. 1932.
60xxx serials
Commonly seen on Aegler movement Alpina’s that are dated to approx. 1934.
90xxx serials
The first known Alpina 943 (Modified Valjoux 23) dating to approx. 1937.
100xxx serials
Seen on the cylindrical case chronographs with cal. Alpina 943 produced approx. 1939
Alpina 943 serial number 159275
172xxx serials
Alpina 4 chronographs (Spillman screw backs) are advertised in 1942-1943 and stamped with serials in 172xxx ranges.
190xxx serials
Post war serials from 1946. Commonly seen on Anonymous logo Alpina chronographs with Angelus 215 movement.
200xxx serials
The last serial number known for an early chronograph is 209252 dating to approx. 1948.
310xxx to 400xxx serials
Serials dating from 1948 to 1954.
The First Chronographs
Alpina Valjoux 13
Under the name “Alpina” several chronograph pocket watches where sold. Known for competing with the best of the Swiss watch industry at the time.
The first wrist chronograph known in my personal archives is a steel cushion cased mono pusher with serial number 1355.
33mm case and silver or black sector dials.
Powered by a Valjoux 13 with the pusher on the crown.
4 steel and 1 gold example known of a Valjoux 13 Alpina.
Alpina Lemania 13CH
The only chronograph made by Alpina with a Lemania chronograph movement.
The next chronographs made by Alpina are found in the 40xxx range dating back to the early 1930’s.
33mm click back case and breguet dial with blued hands.
Powered by a Lemania 13CH with two pushers.
2 examples known of a Lemania 13CH Alpina in this configuration.
Photo by http://www.shellman-online.jp/
Alpina Geneva Sport 23.7
A rare movement made by Geneva Sport seen in Geneva Sport branded chronographs but also used by Rolex. A direct competitor tot the Valjoux 69 which where very compact chronograph movements.
The chronographs featuring the Geneva Sport 23.7 are thus far all numbered by an 51xxx serial. Found in different case shapes and dial variations.
29mm-30mm click back cases.
Powered by a Geneva Sport 23.7 signed Alpina with mono pusher crown.
3 examples known with Geneva Sport 23.7.
Alpina Minerva
Alpina is known for using various calibers of Minerva with early chronographs from the 1920’s dating back before the chronological serial range.
Minerva Swivel case
One distinct model in the Minerva calibre series is the swivel lugs.
The chronographs featuring the modified Minerva 13-20, with the balance cock modified it’s also known as the Alpina 890.
33mm click back cases with swiveled lugs
3 examples known in the serial range from 77033 to 86609.
Alpina 943 (Based on Valjoux 23)
The Alpina 943 is a movement by Alpina based on the Valjoux 23. They show many similarities but not all parts are interchangeable (Eventually I’d like to do a side by side comparison to see all parts customized by Alpina.).
Within the introduction of the Alpina 943 you can dissect it in different era’s. Mainly the Cylindrical case and Screw back case.
Alpina 943 Cylindrical case
The Alpina watches seen as “Cylindrical” are chronographs with non-integrated lugs. The movements of these pieces comes out the front of the watch.
Serial range known from 105xxx to 159xxx. Found in different case (Thin Lug, Fat Lug, Flat Back) and dial variations.
32-33mm click back cases.
Powered by an Alpina 943 signed Alpina.
12+ examples known within the “Cylindrical” design case.
Cylindrical “Thin Lug”
Known as the “Thin Lug” design. A narrow lug on a cylindrical case. The form of the lug seems to vary in shape.
Seen as from 105834 to 150395 serials.
Rounded case back.
Photo by https://www.antiquewatch-carese.com/ | Serialnumber: 115142
Cylindrical “Fat Lug”
Known as the “Fat Lug” design. Similar case to the “Thin Lug” but with beefier lugs.
Seen as 159xxx serials. Three examples known.
Rounded case back.
Cylindrical “Flat Back”
Known as the “Flat Back” design. Similar design but more height to the case because of it’s case in case design.
Seen as 117xxx serials. Two examples known.
Flat case back.
Cylindrical comparisons
“Thin Lug” rounded case back
“Fat Lug” rounded case back
“Flat Back” flat case back
“Thin Lug”
“Fat Lug”
“Flat Back”
“Thin Lug” and “Fat Lug” without dust cover
“Flat Back” with dustcover
“Fat Lug” vs “Thin Lug”
Alpina 943 Screw back case
The Alpina watches seen as “Screw back” are chronographs with the Alpina 4 vision. Which stands for; 100% waterproof, anti-shock, anti-magnetic and stainless steel.
Cases made by Spillman featuring a screw back case and protected fat chrono pushers.
These watches are the only chronographs advertised as seen in the advertising examples below.
Serial range 133xxx (1 example), 150xxx (1 example). Serial range 172xxx (10+ examples).
Alpina Chronograph Advertisements
“Only 3 adverts are known that feature Alpina chronographs. All dating to 1942-1943. Made and signed by the most famous René Bleuer, famous in the Swiss advertising world.” (Joel de Toulouse, collector of vintage advertisements)
René Bleuer, 1942
René Bleuer, 1943
René Bleuer, 1942
The advertisement to the left has also been featured in “The Book” by Alpina. A book covering most of Alpina’s history. There are some inconsistencies like dating this advertisement to 1959, which is incorrect.
Alpina 943 (First 943)
The first serial known that features the Alpina calibre 943. A 32mm flat bezel stainless steel watch. Square pushers and faceted lugs. Black gilt dial and golden leaf hands. Case maker unknown.
One example known with serial 92712 and dating to 1937.
Alpina 941 (based on Valjoux 22)
The Alpina 941 is a movement by Alpina based on the Valjoux 22. They show many similarities but not all parts are interchangeable.
The Alpina 941 is seen in Spillman watch cases and one known in a 38mm cylidrical case.
1 example known with a cylindrical watch case in 37mm with serial 150407.
4 (3 steel, 1 gold) examples known with angled Spillman watch cases.
Picture by Private Eyes. Serial 209252
Alpina 943 (gold cases)
Alpina is known to make early examples of gold cased chronographs with an Minverva movement. However there are examples known that feature cases made by Gindraux & Co (Poinçons de Maître, Hammer 119) and make use of the Alpina 943 movement.
Alpina Anonymous
Angelus 215
Alpina wrist chronographs without the Alpina logo written out but with the anonymous “Triangle” logo.
My personal theory for this “Anonymous” chronograph is the association of Alpina and the military watches made by Alpina for the Deutsche Heer (German Army) in the Second World War.
Found in the serial range of 193xxx.
Angelus 215 movement.
Unsigned case (except serial), movement and dial.
More to be added later…
Venus 170
One example known of a Venus 170 powered chronograph with rotating bezel in 32mm.
The serial of this model is 1 which is not in line with the chronological order of Alpina chronographs of this era.
Valjoux 55 VBR Split Second
One example known of a Alpina Split Second chronograph in 42mm.
One of one known example with Alpina dial signature. Other examples with the exact configuration are Minerva reference 17000.
Read more about this model at Auktionen Dr. Crott.
Sources:
https://www.watch-wiki.net/doku.php?id=alpina
https://www.ha.com/
http://www.shellman-online.jp/
https://www.hodinkee.com/
JoeldeToulouse@chronomania.net
If you have any information regarding to Alpina and their chronographs please let me know!
If you own an example or Alpina parts? I would like to use it in my research.