Not all images were able to load for printing. Please close the print window and try again. The Cool New Green Version of the Alpina Seastrong Diver 300 Heritage
An accessible and cool dive watch inspired by a 1960s Super Compressor piece.
A brand owned by Citizen and the sister company of Frédérique Constant, Alpina is all about making accessible, robust sports watch with either a highly modern or vintage vibe, depending on the collection. When it comes to retro-inspired models, there’s hardly a better watch than the Seastrong Diver 300 Heritage, a piece that is modelled after the 10 Seastrong, the brand’s very first Super Compressor. Although modernized in terms of proportions and case architecture, the Seastrong Diver is a cool watch that has been presented in various editions, such as the recent “gilt” model. Today, the brand adds a new and cool edition, with a green strap/dial combo.
Alpina is a long-lasting brand, founded in 1883 and part of Frédérique Constant since 2002. While the latter has long focused on accessible luxury and elegant watches, Alpina has been positioned as the sporty side of the group, which goes well with the brand’s history – which is mostly known for the Alpina 4 from 1938, one of the brands signature collections. In 1967, Alpina introduced its landmark diver watch, the Alpina 10 (also referred to as the Alpina 10 Seastrong in 1969), a professional diving watch with 200m water-resistance and an automatic calibre. Like many dive watches of the period, the Seastrong had a super compressor case with two crowns – one to adjust the internal bezel, the other to adjust the movement. The case, constructed by Ervin Piquerez SA (EPSA), was water-resistant to 200 metres thanks to its patented spring mechanism built into the screw-down caseback that made the watch more watertight the deeper it went.
Now, in 2016, the brand revived this watch with the Seastrong Diver 300 Heritage here, yet modernized and simplified – if the watch took inspiration from Super-Compressor models with an internal bezel and two crowns, it had a classic case construction with a screw-in crown and caseback – like most of the recent Compressor-oriented watches available. Nevertheless, the taste of the past was there, and the watch has now become an integral part of the brand’s collection. With an important update on the latest versions, the absence of a date.
The modern Seastrong Diver 300 Heritage recreates the look of the 1960s Alpina 10 Seastrong with updated dimensions. The steel case is now 42mm in diameter with a thickness of 12.30mm; not overly large for today’s standards, but certainly larger than the original. The bezel and top part of the lugs are polished while the case bands are brushed. The crown at 4 o’clock to set the time and wind the movement is engraved with the Alpina triangle, while the crown at 2 o’clock to adjust the rotating bezel reveals the grid pattern of early EPSA super compressor cases.
As explained, the Seastrong Diver 300 Heritage is a modernly constructed watch, with a classic screw-down crown and a screwed caseback, both guaranteeing a solid 300m water-resistance. Adding to the vintage look, the watch is topped by an ultra-domed sapphire crystal. Like the original rotating dive bezel, the elongated markers are interspersed with dots and Arabic numerals at 15, 30 and 45.
What’s new this year is the addition of a green (not really a surprise knowing the current trends, but still a pleasant looking piece) dial and strap. The dark green colour of the dial is enlivened by a sunray-brushed finish and a glossy surface. Playful under certain light conditions, but maybe not the best for legibility. Contrary to the previous version with gold accents, this green model keeps things clean and discreet with silver-coloured hands and markers. Complementing the dial colour, this edition is worn on a green textured rubber strap with a steel pin buckle.
Inside the case and keeping the price reasonable, the Seastrong Diver 300 is powered by the Calibre AL-520 – an automatic Sellita SW200-1 without date. It runs at 4Hz and stores up to 38 hours of energy when fully wound.
The new Alpina Seastrong Diver 300 Heritage Green is released as part of the permanent collection and will be priced at EUR 1,495. For more details and online orders, please visit alpinawatches.com.
