Victorinox Alpnach automatic chronograph pilot’s watch

Inspired by the design of the Alpnach-based Swiss Air Force Eurocopter AS532 Cougar helicopters, the new Victorinox Swiss Army Alpnach automatic chronograph aviation watchfeatures a unique-looking four-blade small seconds indicator resembling the 4-blade rotors of the European multi-mission choppers.

Just like any normal Swiss pilot’s watch, the Victorinox Alpnach combines high legibility with a multitude of functions.

Besides the usual hours, minutes and seconds, the timepiece also features a small date aperture at 6 o’clock, a full-fledged chronograph with a 12-hour counter at 6 o’clock and a 30-minute totalizer at 12 o’clock, countdown and tachometer functions.

The small hour markers above the Arabic numerals, as well as hour and minute hands are treated with Superluminova fluorescent coating in order to ensure better legibility during night flights.

The countdown function employs the same principle used by diving watches. If you want to measure a 25-minute interval, just align the “25″ numeral on the notched rotating bezel with the minute hand and wait till it reaches the small PVD-coated triangle, which is here for “00.”

Looks like a very useful feature for those doing interval training or practicing a music instrument.

The timekeeper’s ETA Valjoux 7750 automatic movement is encased in a 43mm (most probably measured without the protruding PVD-coated setting crown) two-tone stainless steel body with black PVD treatment and a transparent screw-down caseback.

By the way, the use of the 7750 ebauche here is a sort of pedigree sign, since most second-tier Swiss watchmakers often use simple automatic movements with add-on chronograph modules that, while helping to save a dollar or two on manufacturing costs, also make the watch look cheaper due to ill-aligned setting crow and chronograph push-pieces.

Another sign of good quality is the use of a sapphire crystal with triple antiglare coating that, too, increases legibility of the watch.

Photos: Victorinox Swiss Army

Victorinox Alpnach automatic chronograph watch specification:

Price range: $1400
Movement: Automatic, Valjoux 7750
Complications: date, chronograph, tachometer, countdown
Power reserve: 46 hours
Case material: Stainless steel, PVD
Case diameter: 43 mm
Case height: N/A
Dial: Black
Water resistance: 100m
Strap: Black leather with white stitching
Crystal: Sapphire crystal