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Outbyte Driver Updater FREEFix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →The Alpina Startimer Pilot Heritage GMT is the AL-555-powered, 42 mm steel GMT model introduced around 2018—not the newer Startimer Pilot Automatic. Its central rotating GMT disc, operated by a second crown, sets it apart from watches with a conventional 24-hour hand. The launch price was USD 1,395, EUR 1,295 or CHF 1,295; those are historical figures, not verified current prices.
What the Startimer Pilot Heritage GMT is
The Heritage GMT combines a vintage-leaning pilot-watch design with a central display for a second time zone. Its two crowns and central disc may initially suggest an alarm watch, but the model is not an alarm watch. The 2018-era introduction describes its design as drawing on the look of 1970s watches with domed plexiglass; this model instead uses a box-shaped sapphire crystal.
The documented references cover four dial and strap combinations:
| Reference | Dial | Strap |
|---|---|---|
| AL-555DGS4H6 | Dark grey | Light brown leather |
| AL-555LNS4H6 | Light blue | Light brown leather |
| AL-555N4H6 | Navy blue | Black leather |
| AL-555RGS4H6 | Rose gold | Light brown leather |
These variants are documented in Monochrome Watches’ model review. Check the reference, dial and strap in any listing rather than relying on a general product name.
#1 Best Overall
- The Startimer Pilot Quartz Worldtimer features a brushed and polished stainless steel 2-part case with a diameter of 41mm
- Hours, Minutes, Seconds, GMT, Worldtimer, Date at 3 o'clock
- Silver-Tone Stainless Steel
- Anti-Reflective Sapphire Crystal
- 100M Water Resistant
Specs at a glance
| Specification | Heritage GMT |
|---|---|
| Case | Stainless steel, 42 mm by 40.75 mm (Monochrome Watches’ 2018-era review) |
| Movement | Automatic Alpina AL-555, described by the review as based on a Sellita movement |
| Jewels | 26 (Monochrome Watches) |
| Frequency | 4 Hz / 28,800 vibrations per hour (Monochrome Watches) |
| Power reserve | 38 hours (Monochrome Watches; also reported by Professional Watches’ 2018 introduction) |
| Functions | Hours, minutes, seconds, GMT and date |
| Crystal | Box sapphire |
| Water resistance | 100 m (Monochrome Watches’ 2018-era review) |
| Caseback | Screw-in, engraved |
| Crown | Screw-down; dual-crown configuration |
The dial has applied silver hour markers, printed white numerals and markings, white sword-shaped hour and minute hands, an orange central seconds hand, a date at 3 o’clock and the GMT disc. The technical specifications and dial details are reported in Monochrome Watches’ review; the dual crowns and second-time-zone display are also described by Professional Watches.
How the central GMT disc works
Instead of using a separate GMT hand, the watch indicates a second time zone on a central disc marked with an arrow and indices. A dedicated crown controls the disc. Read the arrow against the dial’s hour markings to track the second zone; the available descriptions establish this as a GMT display, not a city-ring worldtimer.
Rank #2
- The Alpina Startimer Pilot Quartz Chronograph Big Date, inspired by its heritage look and incomparable precision.
- Hours, Minutes, Seconds, Chronograph, Big Date
- Silver-Tone Stainless Steel
- Anti-Reflective Sapphire Crystal
- 100M Water Resistant
The dual-crown layout is therefore functional, not an alarm setting. The cited descriptions do not provide a complete step-by-step setting sequence, so consult the watch’s manual or confirm the procedure with Alpina or a qualified watchmaker before changing the time or date.
Price and availability
Monochrome Watches recorded launch pricing of EUR 1,295, CHF 1,295 and USD 1,395 for the Heritage GMT. These are historical launch prices, not present-day quotes. A verified current retail price, live stock status or sufficiently supported resale range is not established here; current cost depends on seller, condition and market. Check the exact reference, condition, included documentation and seller terms on any live listing.
Rank #3
- The Alpina Startimer Automatic, inspired by its heritage look and incomparable precision.
- Hour, Minute, Second, Date
- Black Titanium Stainless Steel Case
- Anti-Reflective Sapphire Crystal
- 100M Water Resistant
Alpina’s current Startimer collection provides range context but does not establish that the Heritage GMT remains available new. The collection page describes a newer Startimer Pilot Automatic with a 40 mm steel case, AL-525 movement and 68-hour power reserve. Those specifications belong to that newer generation, not the AL-555 Heritage GMT.
What to check before buying
- Reference and variant: Match the reference number to the dial and strap combination; several look similar in listing titles.
- Condition and completeness: Ask for clear photographs and details of wear, service history, box and papers. The cited sources do not establish current service costs or long-term durability.
- Seller and price: Compare like-for-like examples, accounting for condition, warranty and seller terms rather than treating launch pricing as a current valuation.
- Fit and replacement straps: The reviewed specifications do not establish lug width or replacement-strap compatibility. Confirm measurements before ordering an alternate strap.
Heritage GMT versus the newer Startimer Pilot Automatic
The shared Startimer Pilot name can cause confusion, but these are different generations. The official collection page describes the current Pilot Automatic as a 40 mm model with an AL-525 movement and 68-hour reserve; the Heritage GMT reviewed here is a 42 mm by 40.75 mm AL-555 model with a 38-hour reserve. Do not apply the newer model’s specifications or availability to the Heritage GMT.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- The Alpina Startimer Automatic, inspired by its heritage look and incomparable precision
- Hour, Minute, Second, Date, Swiss Automatic
- Silver-Tone Stainless Steel
- Anti-Reflective Sapphire Crystal
- 50M Water Resistant and 3 Year Limited Warranty
Rank #4
- The Startimer Pilot Quartz Chronograph Big Date comes on a brushed and polished 41mm stainless steel case featuring a chronograph at 3 o'clock, a seconds counter at 6 o'clock along and a chronograph with 30 minutes counter at 9 o'clock.
- Chronograph at 3 o'clock, a seconds counter at 6 o'clock along and a chronograph with 30 minutes counter at 9 o'clock
- White dial has printed black Arabic numbers, silver-tone hour and minute hands filled with silver-tone luminous treatment, a silver-tone chronograph second hand with the signature Alpina red triangle, and a big date window at 6 o'clock
- Anti-Reflective Sapphire Crystal
- 100M Water Resistant
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
