Alpina Caliber AL-860

Brand	Alpina
Caliber Number	AL-860
In-House?	No
Base Caliber	Sellita SW500
Movement Type	Automatic, self-winding mechanical, chronograph
Lignes	13.25”’
Diameter	30mm
Height	7.9mm
Jewel Count	25
Beat Rate	28,800 vph, 4 Hz
Lift Angle	50 degrees
Power Reserve	~46 hours
Rotor Style	Ball-bearing system
Rotor Winding Direction	Uni-directional
Hand-Windable?	Yes
Anti-Shock Device	Incabloc
Hand Count	5
Functions	Central hours; central minutes; central chronograph seconds; small running seconds at 9:00; 30 minutes chronograph counter at 3:00
Hacking Seconds?	Yes
Country of Manufacture	Switzerland, Swiss made
Known Models	Alpina Startimer Pilot Chronograph (AL-860B4S6) (Add your watch to the comments below…)

The Alpina caliber AL-860 is an automatic chronograph movement based on the Sellita SW500. According to Alpina, the AL-860 is not just a stock SW500 with a branded rotor, Alpina actually makes modifications of their own to make the movement function the way they desire for certain models.

In Alpina’s own words:

“Based on the Sellita SW500 chronograph movement, the AL-860 chronograph calibre has been modified by Alpina to feature a “Bi-Compax” counter configuration for maximum readability, suitable for professional aviation requirements. Thoughtfully designed by our engineers and machined in Geneva on our CNC machines, this modification is then carefully assembled in our Plan-les-Ouates workshops by our team of skilled watch makers.” –Source

At the time of this post, no watches powered by the AL860 were found on Alpina’s website.

Additional Resources:

• Alpina official user manual (pdf)
  

*AL-860 specific instructions are on page 76 of the user manual