Alpina has just released a new version of their Seastrong Diver 300 Heritage, compressor-style diver’s watch, a watch that is finally worthy of its ‘heritage’ name or is it?
When the Seastrong Diver 300 HERITAGE debuted back in the summer of 2019; it was supposed to hark back to a bygone era when men were men and dive watches –
well they diving instruments, integral components in any diver’s safety equipment. The only problem was the 2019 Seastrong Diver 300 Heritage didn’t feel that authentic.
The bonze models weren’t bronze at all, they were bronze PVD, and the dial had this awkwardly placed date window that looked off (at least to me).
For 2021, Alpina has unveiled a new reinterpretation of its famous Seastrong Diver 300 Heritage Automatic, which now brings the collection up to five models.
Water-resistant to 300 meters, this new 42mm design with its Stainless steel case has done away with any unnecessary complications such as a date;
however, naturally the rotating inner flange remains so that you can measure your immersion time in hours, minutes and seconds. The crown used for its operation is marked with cross-hatching.
Practical and timeless, its black lacquered sunray-brushed dial features gold plated luminescent hands, creating the contrast required to make it easy to read, even in the low light of the deep sea.
In order to ensure it is waster-resistant to 300 meters, the two push-buttons (movement winding and time setting at 4 o’clock, adjustment of the movable flange at 2 o’clock) are screw-down.
The Seastrong Diver 300 Heritage Automatic's engraved case back also alludes to its nautical vocation with a wave pattern and trident motif.
As a further update this new properly vintage looking model is equipped with an AL-520 movement, a modern automatic caliber with 38 hours of power-reserve.
Obviously, the traditional Hesalite glass used on the OG models has been replaced with modern anti-scratch, AR-treated, Sapphire crystal glass which I believe is also domed for that old school look.
The new model also comes with two straps, one in brown calfskin leather and the other in beige topstitched rubber. It has an MSRP in Switzerland of 1,650.00 CHF.
Thoughts? It’s night and day; this is the watch that Alpina should have debuted back in 2019. It’s no Longines Legend Diver but it stands proudly as a handsome looking Swiss compressor-style diver’s watch.
But what do you think?
A little late to the table as there are a half dozen compressor divers to hit the market, some them use real compression case backs. Plus, it is way overpriced.
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