You have probably already seen Alpina's recent Startimer ref. Al-860GB4S6. Slightly oversized, the "aviator" features that trendy bi-compax design and elegant overall styling of its dial. For this year, the Swiss watchmaking brand introduces another version. Called Alpina Startimer Pilot Black Star Automatic Chronograph (Ref. AL-860GB4FBS6), it differs from the earlier version only with its black body finish.
For the year 2014, the company delivered yet another version inspired by aviator watches of the early 20th century. Called Zenith Pilot Montre d'Aeronef Type 20 GMT 1903 Limited Edition, the device bears the same layout and dimensions, but comes with a lot more appealing "vintage" styling.
On 11th November 2013, the German watchmaker started taking orders for its Stowa Flieger Black Forest Edition 1. There will be more models in this new range, which is named after the Schwarzwald mountain range, known not only for its fascinating landscape but also for the famous "Deutsche Uhrenstrasse": a 300-kilometers long route that includes numerous clock factories and other objects related to German watch- and clockmaking history.
First revealed before the Baselworld 2012 trade show, the Heritage Pilot resurfaces in an even more appealing version. Although with a total production run of 1883 pieces (just like the older model), the Alpina Heritage Pilot Limited Edition (Ref. AL-435LB4SH6) shouldn't be touted as a "limited" edition (there will be just too many of them in circulation for the model to become a rarity in any reasonable time), it still deserves our attention for the sheer beauty of it.
The limited edition Fortis B42 Phantoms Phorever Flieger Chronograph (ref. 635.10.91 F-4F L01) pays homage to the legendary McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II: a twin-engine combat aircraft that not only ensured US air superiority in Vietnam, but also fought in many other conflicts throughout the world, including numerous Arab-Israeli wars, the Iran-Iraq War and, of course, the Falklands War.
Christopher Ward, a brand that offers watches that are not only well designed but are also affordable and reliable (a rare mix in this segment), has finally started taking pre-orders for its new Chr. Ward C8 Regulator that was first announced back in June as "C800" model. Featuring an aviator-style design similar to their recently announced Chr. Ward Typhoon chronograph, the watch offers an extremely legible and surprisingly well-balanced dial layout.
