With its Comtesse (refs. AL-525APWD3CD3B and AL-525APW3CD6B) series, Alpina targets a wide array of customers, both in terms of exterior styling and price.
While some may find this “one for everyone” concept too undiscriminating, the logic behind it is undeniable. After all, Alpina is here for the money and there is nothing more cost-effective than offering a model that, as generic as it is, allows the brand to make so many nice variations without investing too much money in designing the new collection.
Delivered in five varieties, the new Alpina Comtesse somewhat disappoints with its nonspecific, elusive appearance. Looking at it for more than thirty seconds gives you a mild case of deja vu: you just can’t stop wondering where you have seen this design before. You roll your eyes, snap your fingers, and make those um and ah sounds, but can’t remember because, like those cheap models from Invicta and Fossil, the timepiece could have been delivered with just about any logo on its dial.
Yes, if you look closer, there is a certain family resemblance to other Alpine watches that make it a bit more recognizable.
Among those released during the last couple of years, at least a couple has donated their parts to the Comtesse. The hour and minute hands are borrowed from this year’s Alpiner AL-750SG4E6B chronograph, while the Arabic numerals and the applied triangular logo probably come courtesy of their new Startimer collection.
The rest… Well, the rest you could possibly see on just about any Swiss-made timekeeper, be it an affordable Longines or an expensive Girard-Perregaux.
Still, if you don’t obsess with “originality” and are not after a truly unique timekeeper, but are simply in search of a reasonably priced accessory that also happens to measure time, this new three-hander may be a nice choice.
For starters, it is powered by a dependable Sellita SW200 automatic movement. Not as widespread as the good old ETA 2824-2 caliber, which it is basically a clone of, it will probably soon become a new industry standard as ETA blank movements are getting increasingly more difficult to come by (at least, for smaller brands like Alpina).
Then again, its slightly generic look is, counterintuitively, a product of good design. The 34 mm stainless steel body is well-sculpted, while its dial with the white mother-of-pearl background is easily readable and, especially the version in steel where the applied Arabic numerals alternate with teardrop-shaped hour markers instead of set diamonds, is actually quite pleasant to look at.
The size of the case is, too, well-chosen: the timepiece will look quite good on just about any wrist, even on the thinnest ones, yet there is a large enough dial opening for time to be easily read.
Also, the price is right. I have seen several timekeepers selling online from $2500 for a two-tone version with diamonds to a more comfortable $900 for a Comtesse in plain steel.
See also: TAG Heuer Link Lady Is A Gorgeous Trinket
Photos: Alpina Watches
WWR verdict
Originality 3/5
Build quality: 4.5/5
Usability: 5/5
Legibility: 5/5
Value for money: 3/5
Alpina Comtesse Automatic (refs. AL-525APWD3CD3B and AL-525APW3CD6B) specification
Price: $950 – $2500
Movement: Automatic, Sellita SW200, Swiss Made
Number of jewels: 26
Movement frequency: 28,800 vph
Power reserve: 38 hours
Functions: Hours, minutes, seconds, date
Case and Crown: Stainless steel / Steel with gold-plated bezel
Bezel: Steel / Gold-plated / 48 diamonds (refs. AL-525APWD3CD3B and AL-525APW3CD6B)
Shape: Round
Size: 34.00 mm
Dial: White mother-of-pearl
Numerals: Arabic
Hour markers: Applied
Hands: Luminous
Water resistance: 50 meters
Strap: Two-tone stainless steel bracelet with gold color PVD coated central link / Grey leather strap with off-white stitches / stainless steel bracelet
Crystal: Sapphire
Back: Solid, engraved