Press release: Embargo May 21st 2026

Watch Angels x Alpina Startimer Pilot IFR Chronograph

14 May 2026

A new horological function for a complete and fully operational pilot’s watch

Watch Angels and Alpina are proud to unveil a world first devoted to one of the most critical IFR flight phases. For decades, pilots’ watches have paid tribute to the world of aviation without really providing any support for pilots’ operational decisions – but now the Startimer Pilot IFR Chronograph changes all that. The collaboration timepiece introduces a new, fully mechanical horological function designed to correctly fly a holding pattern – a moment in which accuracy and discipline are vital.

"With the Startimer collection, Alpina has always celebrated authentic aviation heritage. Through our collaboration with Watch Angels, we had the opportunity to push that legacy further by exploring new functional ideas. This project stands as a highlight of the new Startimer line and reflects our shared ambition to expand the boundaries of pilot watch innovation.”

Oliver van Lanschot Hubrecht, Alpina Brand Director.

Watch Angels x Alpina Startimer Chronograph IFR Limited Edition

A fully-fledged aviation instrument

As well as introducing a never-before-seen function, the Watch Angels x Alpina Startimer Pilot IFR Chronograph brings together the three defining pillars of mechanical flight instruments:

1. Action: a unique mechanical function enabling the wearer to instantly determine the correct entry into a holding pattern and how to fly it;

2. Measurement: an integrated chronograph with 15min and12-hour counters, crucial to time holding pattern legs, monitor longer phases of flight, and to support time-speed-distance and consumption calculations;

3. Reference: a second UTC/24h hour hand to keep track of the world-wide aviation time that allows pilots, controllers, and dispatchers to operate according one consistent timing globally, eliminating confusion from time zone changes and local daylight saving.

From a known input to a mechanically calculated output

The timepiece’s bidirectional 360° compass bezel and a purposely developed inner multilevel turning case component - that function independently and in conjunction with each other during operation - allow the pilot to enter two pieces of know data: the heading to "the fix" of the holding pattern (from the plane's heading indicator) and the inbound course (from the flight chart). The watch then instantly provides the following information:

> The type of entry in the holding pattern (direct, parallel or teardrop)

> All the required holding pattern headings and courses to fly it correctly

An intuitive colour code visible through the dial apertures at 12 o'clock, ensures information can be read off instantly and unambiguously. This operational data, and the comprehensive set of aviation functionalities, makes the Watch Angels x Alpina Startimer Pilot IFR Chronograph one of the most complete pilot’s watches ever designed.

Translating an IFR procedure into a watch

IFR vs VFR

In the aviation world, there are two different types of standard flight rules. One is VFR (Visual Flight Rules), the type of flight practiced by almost all private pilots. VFR flight, possible when visibility is adequate, requires pilots to be able to fly their aircraft based on visual data with the aid of basic instruments (a radio, a chart and a compass). The second type of flight is IFR, standing for Instrument Flight Rules. IFR takes over where VFR is no longer possible or in more complex flight environment such as cross-border flights, approaches to major airports and flights carrying passengers.

IFR flight is a major component of a professional pilot’s licence and is always applied to holding patterns even if visibility is adequate

Watch Angels x Alpina Startimer Chronograph IFR Limited Edition

A critical phase of IFR flight: the approach and the holding pattern

The most demanding aspect of IFR flights is the approach. The technique involves adjusting the aircraft’s flight to the environment of the destination airport, taking into account natural features, existing infrastructure details and most importantly, other air traffic bound for the same destination. IFR approaches are governed by strict procedures designed to safely control air traffic around an airport

A holding pattern is a predetermined, oval loop-shaped flight path that an aircraft flies while waiting for clearance from Air Traffic Control (ATC) to proceed. It serves as an aerial "traffic light" for airplanes, allowing them to safely wait in a designated airspace when they cannot land due to congestion, poor weather, or an ongoing emergency.

From standard procedure to mechanisation

While each airport has its own holding patterns, the procedures for entering them are standardised, a little like motorway slip roads: each is different, but the process of joining the motorway is almost always the same.

Anywhere in the world, from New York to Tokyo, from Geneva to Dubai, the procedure follows the same standardised IFR logic. The geometry is fixed, the rules are fixed, the sequence is fixed, and most importantly: the two key input variables are always known.The inbound course is published on the flight chart and the heading is immediately available from the aircraft heading indicator.

This repeatable procedural structure is what made it possible for Watch Angels and Alpina engineers to mechanically translate it into watch.

In fact most procedures can never become mechanical watch complications. They involve too many changing variables, too many external inputs and too much unpredictability.

The holding pattern and the watch

The point at which an aircraft enters a holding pattern depends on the direction from which it approaches (the east, the north, the south or the west); this direction is expressed in degrees and is known as the heading.

Once this heading is known, pilots will have to enter the hold in one of three ways: a direct entry, a teardrop enrty, or parallel entry. A hold may involve right turns (Standard) or left turns (Non-Standard), and is entered at a point known as the fix, a known location shown on IFR flight charts.

The Watch Angels x Alpina Startimer Pilot IFR Chronograph enables a pilot on approach to use the watch bezel, dial ring and dial, to gain a clear picture of the holding pattern and how to fly it.

The case-back with the engraved holding pattern entry types: direct, parallel or teardrop

How it works

On this watch, the pilot uses a simple two-step process involving just the bidirectional bezel to correctly fly a holding pattern.

How it works infographic

First step: the pilot sets the inbound course which he reads on his flight chart by pressing down the bezel in the bottom position and aligning the degrees of the inbound course on the bezel with the orange diamond shaped outbound indicator on the turning dial ring.

Second step: the pilot sets the heading (to the holding pattern fix) which he reads on his heading indicator by releasing the bezel in the top position and aligning the heading degrees on the bezel with the heading indicator triangle at 12 o'clock. Nb. during this operation the bezel and the inner ring turn together.

After setting these two parameters and reading the type of holding pattern for the airport (standard or non-standard) from the flight chart, the watch automatically displays all the information the pilot requires to execute the holding pattern:

> The type of entry required: direct, teardrop or parallel. The pilot reads this information in the two apertures at 12 o'clock: orange for direct, red for teardrop and blue for parallel;

> All courses and headings to fly the hold: outbound course, inbound course, heading to fix, and first leg heading.

Two apertures at 12 o'clock show the type of entry into the hold the pilot has to fly

Ingenious construction

The particularity of this system is that it is fully mechanical and that it resides in the case components, a so called "habillage complication". The entire calculation and display system is housed in the case body, a push-release coupling bezel, dial ring and dial and is powered by two connected turning components, the bezel and an inner multi-level component which serves as a dial ring and also as an entry pattern calculator below the dial.

The case design adopts the style codes of the new Startimer collection launched in 2026 at Watches & Wonders. All the edges of the case are bevelled between the lugs and where it joins the frame; the lugs and frame themselves feature vertical satin polishing, while the bevelling is mirror polished. The blue sunburst dial features hand-applied luminous polished Arabic numerals and a running indicator by disk at 9 o’clock.

Like any pilot’s watch worthy of the name, it displays local and UTC time (the latter being used in all air traffic communications) and features a chronograph, essential for timing holding pattern legs, and all other aviation time-speed-distance-consumption calculations.

"This collaboration with Alpina is a natural continuation of our philosophy at Watch Angels: applying rigorous R&D to the functional side of mechanical watchmaking, with particular attention to case and case component engineering . By translating the logic of holding patterns into a mechanical logic, we have created a pilot’s watch that is not only inspired by aviation, but actually shaped by it.”

Guido Benedini, CEO Watch Angels.

Developed by Watch Angels in partnership with Alpina, just 300 of this limited edition will be produced, encapsulating the essence of aviation in a piece of Swiss watchmaking excellence. Time measurement, spatial orientation and redundancy are all fully mechanical here. Directed at private pilots and avgeeks everywhere, the watch is much more than a timepiece; it’s a genuine collector’s item, the embodiment of a real step forward in pilots’ watches: not so much inspired by aviation as directly derived from its actual requirements.

Technical Specifications

The 44.50 mm diameter stainless steel professional pilot watch encases a high performance Swiss made Sellita 531b (15min counter variant) column wheel chronograph caliber with 62h power reserve, 25 jewels, and beating at 28'800 bph.

DIAL:

Sunray blue dial with silver outer ring and black minutes track; Polished metallic applied arabic numerals filled with white luminescence; Black hour and minutes hands filled with white luminescence; Black seconds hand with red triangle; Black 12-hour counter at 6 o’clock; Black 15-minute counter at 12 o’clock; Working indicator by disk at 9 o’clock; 2nd time zone for UTC (GMT) function by central hand.

CASE:

World first mechanical IFR (Instrument Flight Rules) system concealed within the bezel and inner flange.

Stainless steel 3-parts case; Black matt ceramic bidirectional bezel; Vertical satin-brushed lugs and brushed case body; Mirror-polished lug chamfers; Anti-reflective convex sapphire crystal.

Dimensions: Diameter of 44.5 mm, Height of 15.8mm (13.95mm visible) mm, Lug-to-Lug of 51mm.

Water resistant up to 10ATM/100m/330ft.

Engraved case back with holding entry patterns.

STRAP:

Each limited edition watch comes with two straps. A light grey genuine leather pilot strap with stainless-steel pin buckle and an additional camel brown genuine leather pilot strap with stainless-steel pin buckle.

Quick release strap system.

Sales information

The order window open on the 21st May 2026 exclusively on Watch Angels at a price of CHF 4'295.00 (incl. shipping, local VAT and import duties).

Limited edition of 300 pieces

About Watch Angels

HOROLOGICAL WONDERLAND. Founded in 2019 and based in the watchmaking village of Arogno in Switzerland, Watch Angels is both a watchmaking platform and an R&D lab dedicated to innovation in time measurement. By bringing together independent watchmaking expertise and an international community of collectors, Watch Angels enables enthusiasts to be directly involved in the creation of outstanding timepieces. Each project is guided by a clear vision: putting utility and meaning back at the heart of watches. As a research and development lab, Watch Angels explores new functional approaches and designs innovative horological functions in partnership with acclaimed brands, engineers and specialists to produce timepieces that are not only collectable but also fully relevant in terms of practical applications. Combining limited-edition production, transparent development and direct relations with its community, Watch Angels embodies a new approach to contemporary watch design at the crossroads of innovation, functionality and horological culture. Website

About Alpina

THE ORIGINAL SPORTS WATCH SINCE 1883. Alpina designs each of its watches to be the perfect companion for exploration of all kinds. The brand’s sports ethos reflects a desire to scale new heights with genuine team spirit, ‘roped together’ like mountaineers, supporting each other and sharing risks and success alike. It’s a philosophy grounded in absolute trust between those moving forward together, bound by the same ambition. The Manufactory sets radically demanding standards and brooks no compromise. Alpina was born in Switzerland in 1883 when founder Gottlieb Hauser decided to bring together various players in the watchmaking industry in what was then known as the Union Horlogère Suisse. Based on the principle that ‘unity makes strength’, his idea was to get different horological trades working together, creating an unrivalled environment in which innovation and reliability could flourish. Since its earliest days, the brand has been determined not to compromise on its vision of creating timepieces capable of withstanding all extremes. In the early twentieth century, a time when new ideas of all kinds were emerging everywhere, Alpina itself developed a whole series of major advances in robustness and fine workmanship. With a horological focus on watertightness, corrosion resistance, anti-magnetic properties and impact resistance, Alpina became one of the brands pioneering attributes that went on to define modern watchmaking. Today, each watch is still designed to withstand even the most demanding environments, a commitment that is upheld in three different realms: the air (the Startimer collection), the sea (the Seastrong collection) and the Earth, with the Alpiner collection. Launched in 2023, the Heritage collection further expands the range with a series of tributes to the brand’s legacy and its most iconic models. Alpina embodies personal achievement and the call of the great outdoors. The brand has built up robust partnerships aimed at supporting outstanding athletes and adventurers, pushing their limits in their quest for further accomplishments. Rooted in a no-nonsense approach and fierce loyalty to its values, Alpina is moving forward without compromise alongside those who dare to reach for the extreme. Alpina is part of the Frédérique Constant Group, which joined the Japanese group Citizen in 2016 to pursue its international expansion and develop new synergies. Website

Guido Benedini

CEO at Watch Angels SA

+41 79 356 64 34

Samuel Pio

PR Manager Alpina at Alpina Watches

+41 (0)79 762 60 11