Alpina Register (Chronographs & Pre-war)

Vintage.View · Jan 7, 2022

I'm an avid vintage collector of the Swiss brand Alpina. Especially chronographs and pre-war time only pieces.

Therefor I'm building a register to identify all the variations and dates of manufacturing which I'd like to share publicly if I have enough material to show conclusions.

So I need your help! Do you own an Alpina chronograph from the 50's or older and would you like to add it to the register? Or do you own an Alpina watch with an engraved date please let me know so I can add dates to specific serial numbers.

Thank you in advance!

Below two pieces from my collection. A black Triangle logo dial Alpina with Angelus 215 and a very rare cased Alpina with 943 movement.

arturo7 · Jan 7, 2022

Those are both gorgeous!

Tony C. · Jan 7, 2022

I owned this sweet cal. 13CH for a while, but sold it to a Japanese dealer friend.

Vintage.View · Jan 9, 2022

Tony C.
I owned this sweet cal. 13CH for a while, but sold it to a Japanese dealer friend.

Hey Tony! You showed me this piece on WUS forums. Insanely well made piece. I wish I could have bought it from you...

From what I have learned so far is that the 13CH was the best of the best Alpina untill they made there own movement, the Alpina 943.

Vintage.View · Jan 10, 2022

This are as far as I know the only advertisments by Alpina about their chronographs. Funny how Alpina (the owners of the brand right now) mentioned in their own heritage book that the Alpina 4 chronograph is from 1959 but all serials I have found are pre-1946.

Another advertisment from 1943 with a case shape very similair to the one above but couldn't verify if this is indeed the same screwback case.

Please let me know if you have any other catalogues, brochures or ads from Alpina chronographs!

Tony C. · Jan 10, 2022

Assuming originality, this (40mm) must be a very rare bird...

https://www.horare.com/products/1930s-alpina-oversize-chronograph

Vintage.View · Jan 10, 2022

Tony C.
Assuming originality, this (40mm) must be a very rare bird...

https://www.horare.com/products/1930s-alpina-oversize-chronograph

Well... the dial and case combination is very questionable. The serial is plausible for the era but especially this era always has a Alpina signed case AND Alpina signed dial. The only variation where this isn't the case is with the anonymous A logo dials like mine in the first post.

Tony C. · Jan 10, 2022

the_vintage_ad
The serial is plausible for the era but especially this era always has a Alpina signed case AND Alpina signed dial.

I'm not sure what dates encompass the era that you are referring to, but my chrono (above) did not have a signed case, nor did the one or two others of the same style that I have seen.

Also, those pushers are the same style as mine were.

Vintage.View · Jan 10, 2022

Tony C.
I'm not sure what dates encompass the era that you are referring to, but my chrono (above) did not have a signed case, nor did the one or two others of the same style that I have seen.

Also, those pushers are the same style as mine were.

The 13CH variants are 40xxx serials which are way earlier then the Alpina you showed me. 90xxx should be around 1936 and this is confirmed to have Alpina dial in Alpina signed cases. I've never seen another example without a signed case later then '36.

Tony C. · Jan 10, 2022

The oversized example is not a 13CH, and given how few you (or anyone) have seen, I don't find the argument that all of those produced after a certain year must necessarily have been signed to be compelling.

The case on the oversized one is consistent with other Alpina chronos, as are the pushers, and the movement appears to fit correctly. If that is a "frankenwatch", whoever put it together is an impressive artist.

DirtyDozen12 · Jan 10, 2022

the_vintage_ad
From what I have learned so far is that the 13CH was the best of the best Alpina untill they made there own movement, the Alpina 943.

Correct me if I am wrong, but Alpina's caliber 943 is just a Valjoux VZ/23 and not their own movement.

Photos from: https://www.catawiki.com/en/l/38350...-943-valjoux-22-men-schweiz-1946#&gid=1&pid=7

Vintage.View · Jan 10, 2022

Tony C.
The oversized example is not a 13CH, and given how few you (or anyone) have seen, I don't find the argument that all of those produced after a certain year must necessarily have been signed to be compelling.

The case on the oversized one is consistent with other Alpina chronos, as are the pushers, and the movement appears to fit correctly. If that is a "frankenwatch", whoever put it together is an impressive artist.

Not saying it is a Frankenwatch but with all the pieces I have seen this is more likely to have featured a A anonymous dial then Alpina signed dial.

DirtyDozen12
Correct me if I am wrong, but Alpina's caliber 943 is just a Valjoux VZ/23 and not their own movement.

Photos from: https://www.catawiki.com/en/l/38350...-943-valjoux-22-men-schweiz-1946#&gid=1&pid=7

Yes it is based on a V23 but it's not the same. As example you can't simply use the balance of a normal V23 for a Alpina 943.

DirtyDozen12 · Jan 10, 2022

the_vintage_ad
Yes it is based on a V23 but it's not the same. As example you can't simply use the balance of a normal V23 for a Alpina 943.

Thank you for the response. I am curious to know how the balance differs from a normal Valjoux VZ/23, and what other parts are not the same?

DirtyDozen12 · Jan 10, 2022

For those who are not familiar, here is a visual comparison of a Valjoux VZ (precursor to the Valjoux 23) and an Alpina 943.

Photos from: https://www.cliniquehorlogere.ch/fr/base-chronos/valjoux-reymond-freres-les-bioux/valjoux-vz.html and https://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/1940-vintage-alpina-943-valjoux-22-453819071

Vintage.View · Jan 10, 2022

DirtyDozen12
Thank you for the response. I am curious to know how the balance differs from a normal Valjoux VZ/23, and what other parts are not the same?

It’s technical beyond my knowledge. But a few years back I brought in a 943 at a proper watchmaker.

He mentioned a few differences which I don’t recall aside from the balance. They tried a V23 balance but that simply did not work. For him this was actually a step up from a generic V23 so I think it’s fair to call the 943 by its name.

DirtyDozen12 · Jan 10, 2022

the_vintage_ad
He mentioned a few differences which I don’t recall aside from the balance. They tried a V23 balance but that simply did not work. For him this was actually a step up from a generic V23 so I think it’s fair to call the 943 by its name.

I think that a distinction must be made between the Valjoux 23 and its predecessor, which is often referred to as the Valjoux "VZ". Below is a comparison between a "type I" VZ, a "type II" VZ, and a 23. Further below is a comparison of two 943 movements. The one on the left closely resembles a "type I" VZ, whereas the one on the right closely resembles a "type II" VZ. Neither 943 closely resembles a 23, I believe. So, the question remains, did your watchmaker merely notice differences between a VZ and a 23, or did he notice differences between a VZ and a 943?

Photos from: https://www.cliniquehorlogere.ch/fr/ and https://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/1940-vintage-alpina-943-valjoux-22-453819071

Vintage.View · Jan 11, 2022

DirtyDozen12
I think that a distinction must be made between the Valjoux 23 and its predecessor, which is often referred to as the Valjoux "VZ". Below is a comparison between a "type I" VZ, a "type II" VZ, and a 23. Further below is a comparison of two 943 movements. The one on the left closely resembles a "type I" VZ, whereas the one on the right closely resembles a "type II" VZ. Neither 943 closely resembles a 23, I believe. So, the question remains, did your watchmaker merely notice differences between a VZ and a 23, or did he notice differences between a VZ and a 943?

Photos from: https://www.cliniquehorlogere.ch/fr/ and https://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/1940-vintage-alpina-943-valjoux-22-453819071

Yeah your correct that I have never seen the Alpina 943 as the "23" example. Either VZ 1 or VZ 2. I'm not sure if my watchmaker is correct but I do know he has these parts in stock.

I think I'll just go and investigate this myself since I have spare 943's and make it a full breakdown.

DirtyDozen12 · Jan 11, 2022

the_vintage_ad
Yeah your correct that I have never seen the Alpina 943 as the "23" example. Either VZ 1 or VZ 2. I'm not sure if my watchmaker is correct but I do know he has these parts in stock.
I think I'll just go and investigate this myself since I have spare 943's and make it a full breakdown.

I would be curious to hear your findings. Thanks for the discussion.

Vintage.View · Aug 10, 2022

I have put in some work to research all variations in Alpina chronographs. It's far from done but already wanted to share this:

I've been trying to get a sense of time with the chronological Alpina serials. Noting all the movements used by Alpina chronographs and various case variations.

More at: https://www.vintage-view.com/blog/chronographs-by-alpina

goos123 · Aug 20, 2025

Vintage.View
I'm an avid vintage collector of the Swiss brand Alpina. Especially chronographs and pre-war time only pieces.

Therefor I'm building a register to identify all the variations and dates of manufacturing which I'd like to share publicly if I have enough material to show conclusions.

So I need your help! Do you own an Alpina chronograph from the 50's or older and would you like to add it to the register? Or do you own an Alpina watch with an engraved date please let me know so I can add dates to specific serial numbers.

Thank you in advance!

Below two pieces from my collection. A black Triangle logo dial Alpina with Angelus 215 and a very rare cased Alpina with 943 movement.

I have an alpina identical to your 943. I am looking for more information. Can you help me?