New arrival - a little bit different

[tertius]

Recently acquired this, an Alpina Avalanche Regulateur:







I've been looking a regulateur style watch for a while and liked the look of this one.

It has a nicely finished Unitas 64xx based movement, modified to a regulateur layout. About 44/45mm across (excl. crown) and a good 50mm lug to lug.

Unfortunately although it is a really nice watch its just not for me so will be on the block shortly.

Although it looks weird it is surprisingly easy to get used to the regulateur layout, so I shall just keep looking.

[anonymous-user]

Nice photos, I like the display back.

There are some unconventional number layouts going on aren't there?

[mcgus]

will pm you!

[Dominic H]

Nice.....
I had an Oris regulator years back, a nice watch but it drove me nuts. As I was so used to reading the time from a conventional layout dial/hands. I just couldn't get used to it. I replced it with a Breitling Cosmanaute, talk about frying pans and fires.

[tertius]

Dominic H said:

Nice.....
I had an Oris regulator years back, a nice watch but it drove me nuts. As I was so used to reading the time from a conventional layout dial/hands. I just couldn't get used to it. I replced it with a Breitling Cosmanaute, talk about frying pans and fires.

I was surprised but I got used to it very quickly. I came to the conclusion that one generally knows the hour so reading the minutes was the important bit - of course this is the rationale behind the regluator layout.

[sparkyhx]

I really like that

Give me a shout if you want to get rid - deffo be interested depending on price.

[tertius]

sparkyhx said:

I really like that

Give me a shout if you want to get rid - deffo be interested depending on price.

I've put it up for sale on RLT and TZ-UK. Though mcgus has first refusal at the moment.

[sparkyhx]

tertius said:

sparkyhx said:

I really like that

Give me a shout if you want to get rid - deffo be interested depending on price.

I've put it up for sale on RLT and TZ-UK. Though mcgus has first refusal at the moment.

That'll teach me to go to a meeting halfway thru a post

Edited by sparkyhx on Wednesday 9th July 16:29

[Dominic H]

tertius said:

Dominic H said:

Nice.....
I had an Oris regulator years back, a nice watch but it drove me nuts. As I was so used to reading the time from a conventional layout dial/hands. I just couldn't get used to it. I replced it with a Breitling Cosmanaute, talk about frying pans and fires.

I was surprised but I got used to it very quickly. I came to the conclusion that one generally knows the hour so reading the minutes was the important bit - of course this is the rationale behind the regluator layout.

You would have thought so. It still made me

Edited by Dominic H on Wednesday 9th July 16:57

[Asterix]

I like it.

I'm a big fan of this...



What are the odds they use the same movement?

[tertius]

Asterix said:

I like it.

I'm a big fan of this...



What are the odds they use the same movement?

Same base movement certainly - Unitas 6498 - the modifications are obviously slightly different as the Alpina puts the hour hand in a different place on the dial.

[cyberface]

Many of the mid-tier manufactures like modifying the Unitas 6xxx series, it seems - Sinn do, that Alpina looks like it (the two wheels on the bridge give it away), Glashütte Original do, that small indie watchsmith in Germany that I can't remember the name of use the base ébauche IIRC.

I don't really 'get' regulator dials TBH but my biggest beef with watches these days is that they're getting so damn big... but that's a rant for another thread...

[tertius]

cyberface said:

Many of the mid-tier manufactures like modifying the Unitas 6xxx series, it seems - Sinn do, that Alpina looks like it (the two wheels on the bridge give it away), Glashütte Original do, that small indie watchsmith in Germany that I can't remember the name of use the base ébauche IIRC.

I don't really 'get' regulator dials TBH but my biggest beef with watches these days is that they're getting so damn big... but that's a rant for another thread...

Dornblueth - though he does it with more panache than most.

With regard to using the Unitas base movement, you are right, you could also add Stowa, Ollech & Wajs, Debaufre, Benzinger, Panerai, Precista, Glycine, the list goes on.

One reason the Unitas based watches are big is that it was originally a pocket watch movement. However, I think its a little of a chicken and egg situation, the fashion is for big watches so a big movement makes sense.

[Asterix]

cyberface said:

Many of the mid-tier manufactures like modifying the Unitas 6xxx series, it seems - Sinn do, that Alpina looks like it (the two wheels on the bridge give it away), Glashütte Original do, that small indie watchsmith in Germany that I can't remember the name of use the base ébauche IIRC.

I don't really 'get' regulator dials TBH but my biggest beef with watches these days is that they're getting so damn big... but that's a rant for another thread...

Glashütte Orignal do?

Which model/s?

[cyberface]

Asterix said:

cyberface said:

Many of the mid-tier manufactures like modifying the Unitas 6xxx series, it seems - Sinn do, that Alpina looks like it (the two wheels on the bridge give it away), Glashütte Original do, that small indie watchsmith in Germany that I can't remember the name of use the base ébauche IIRC.

I don't really 'get' regulator dials TBH but my biggest beef with watches these days is that they're getting so damn big... but that's a rant for another thread...

Glashütte Orignal do?

Which model/s?

Nope - I was wrong - GO are all in-house movements now, I was getting confused. Apologies (I know you're rather fond of yours, as am I!!! )

[Asterix]

cyberface said:

Asterix said:

cyberface said:

Many of the mid-tier manufactures like modifying the Unitas 6xxx series, it seems - Sinn do, that Alpina looks like it (the two wheels on the bridge give it away), Glashütte Original do, that small indie watchsmith in Germany that I can't remember the name of use the base ébauche IIRC.

I don't really 'get' regulator dials TBH but my biggest beef with watches these days is that they're getting so damn big... but that's a rant for another thread...

Glashütte Orignal do?

Which model/s?

Nope - I was wrong - GO are all in-house movements now, I was getting confused. Apologies (I know you're rather fond of yours, as am I!!! )

I was about to get ever so slightly miffed!

[sparkyhx]

you have mail

[Clarkey boy]

That Alpine is a fine looking watch, who distributes or sells them in the UK. Ta.

[tertius]

Clarkey boy said:

That Alpine is a fine looking watch, who distributes or sells them in the UK. Ta.

I don't think they have a UK AD. I bought mine privately.

Their website is here