alpina AL-240 Startimer Pilot Quartz Watch Instructions
- June 4, 2024
- alpina
Table of Contents
alpina AL-240 Startimer Pilot Quartz Watch
SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS
FUNCTIONS: HOURS, MINUTES, 10 MIN. COUNTDOWN
One minute has passed.
COUNTDOWN
Before starting the countdown, the 5 apertures are the same color as the dial.
Each aperture represents one minute. When the gun is fired, start the counting
(press button 1 ).
After 1 minute, the first aperture becomes blue and the next 4 are still the
color of the dial. After 5 minutes, the second hand is at 12 o’clock and the 5
apertures are blue. The race official fires again to confirm the continuation
of the start.
If the countdown is stopped, simply stop
7 minutes 30 seconds have passed.
the counting on the watch by pressing button 4 and restarting it when the
countdown resumes, by pres-sing button 4 again. After 6 minutes, the first
aper-ture becomes orange and the next 4 are still blue. After 9 minutes, 4
apertures are now orange and the blue of the final aperture has started to
disappear. You should then organise the start of your boat to pass the line
when the 5 apertures are orange and the second hand is at 12 o’clock.
OTHERS FUNCTIONS
UNIDIRECTIONAL ROTATING DIVING BEZEL Only for:
AL-525xxVx – AL-525xxVGx
An essential feature of all Alpina diving watches is the unidirectional, anti-
clockwise, rotating bezel, used to control immersion time. The bezel is fitted
with a graduated scale divided into minutes. The bezel’s working principle is
both simple and reliable. At the beginning of each immersion, the zero on the
bezel must be aligned with the minute hand. A simple glance at the position of
the minute hand with respect to the bezel will show the diver at any moment
how much time has elapsed since the start of the dive (in minutes). The
unidirectional anti-clockwise rotation of the bezel is a safety feature that
ensures that any accidental movement of the ring will always cause the
remaining diving time to reduce with respect to the effective remaining diving
time.
BIDIRECTIONAL ROTATING DIVING BEZEL Only for:
Seastrong Diver 300 Heritage AL-520 – AL-520x4Hx AL-525 – AL-525x4Hx
An essential feature of all Alpina diving watches is the bidirectional
rotating bezel, used to control immersion time. The bezel is fitted with a
graduated scale divided into minutes. The bezel’s working principle is both
simple and reliable. At the beginning of each immersion, the zero on the bezel
must be aligned with the minute hand. A simple glance at the position of the
minute hand with respect to the bezel will show the diver at any moment how
much time has elapsed since the start of the dive (in minutes). Our watch is
equipped with a screw-down crown so the bidirectional internal bezel cannot
move unless the crown is unscrewed. This is a safety feature to avoid any
accidental movement of the bidirectional internal bezel that could make the
diving time incorrect.
MEASUREMENT SCALES
Measurement scales are scales that establish a relation between elapsed time and another variable. The desired information in terms of speed (tachymeter), distance (telemeter) or units (pulsometer, productivity meters) is read off between the central seconds hand of the chronograph and the corresponding scale, over a maximum duration of 60 seconds. For the telemeter, it is possible to make use of the minutes counter by adding 20 km to the distance indicated by the central seconds hand for each minute elapsed.
TACHYMETER SCALES Only for
AL-725xARx – AL-727x4NHx
TACHYMETER SCALE USE
Example 1: calculating the speed of a car.
Measure the time it takes the car to cover a distance of 1 km. Read off the
speed indicated by the central chronograph seconds hand on the tachymetric
scale. In our example, the car is travelling at 90 km/h.
TELEMETER SCALES Only for
AL-750xS4E6 – AL-760x5AQ6 – AL-860x4Hx –
AL-860x4SPx
TELEMETER SCALE USE
Example 2: calculating the distance between your position and an upcoming
storm. Start the chronograph when you see the lightning; then stop the
chronograph when you hear the thunder. Read off the distance indicated by the
central chronograph hand on the telemetric scale. In our example the storm is
5 km away from your position.
360° ROTATING COMPASS BEZEL Only for
AL-860x5AQx – AL-880x4V6
Alpina watches featuring a 360° rotating compass bezel can roughly determine
directions – a particularly useful feature for orientation sports and other
adventure or alpine sports.
COMPASS USE INSTRUCTIONS ON ALPINER 4 CHRONOGRAPH AND ALPINER 4 GMT*
Precautions in using a compass bezel:
- Do not use the compass in situations where accuracy is critical. The compass only gives a rough indication of direction.
- Use the compass where the sun is visible or its location known.
- Your watch must be set to winter time. If daylight savings time (summer time) is in effect in your area, you must set your watch one hour behind before using the compass bezel.
OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS
-
IN THE NORTHERN HEMISPHERE
-
Set the (=360°=North) on the rotating compass bezel facing the current time on the 24H ring.
-
While keeping the dial level, point the hour hand in the direction of the sun.
-
Now the compass is activated and you can read the directions on the rotating compass bezel. The 36, 09,18, 27 indicate North, East, South and West, respectively.
Example 1: It is 8 am in your area. Set the n° 36 facing the 8 on the 24H scale of the dial. Now point the hour hand (keeping the dial level) in the direction of the sun and your compass is activated.
Example 2: It is 6 pm in your area. Set the n° 36 facing the 18 on the 24H scale of the dial. Now point the hour hand (keeping the dial level) in the direction of the sun and your compass is activated. -
IN THE SOUTHERN HEMISPHERE
- Set the “18” (=180°=South) on the rotating compass bezel facing the current time on the 24H ring.
- While keeping the dial level, point the hour hand in the direction of the sun.
- Now the compass is activated and you can read the directions on the rotating compass bezel. The 36, 09,18, 27 indicate North, East, South and West, respectively.
Example 1: It is 8 am in your area. Set the n° 18 facing the 8 on the 24H scale of the dial. Now point the hour hand (keeping the dial level) in the direction of the sun and your compass is activated.
Example 2: It is 6 pm in your area. Set the n° 18 facing the 18 on the 24H scale of the dial. Now point the hour hand (keeping the dial level) in the direction of the sun and your compass is activated.
-
When using the Alpiner 4 GMT you can also use the 24H hand to operate the compass. To do this, the 24H hand must indicate your local time.
- A) In the northern hemisphere put the “36” (=North) facing the 24H hand. Point the hour hand (keeping the dial level) in the direction of the sun and your compass is activated.
- B) In the southern hemisphere put the “18” (=South) facing the 24H hand. Point the hour hand (keeping the dial level) in the direction of the sun and your compass is activated.
COMPASS USE INSTRUCTIONS ON SEASTRONG YACHT TIMER
- IN THE NORTHERN HEMISPHERE
- Set the (=South) on the rotating compass bezel to the middle of the arc between the marker (=12 o’clock) and the hour hand.*
- in the AM period, set the to the left of the marker (=12 o’clock) and in the PM period to the
- While keeping the dial level, point the hour hand in the direction of the sun.
- Now the compass is activated and you can read the directions on the rotating compass bezel. The triangle at “60”, the 90 marker, the S and the 270 marker indicate North, East, South and West, respectively.
Example 1: It is 10 am in your area. Set the “S” facing the “5” on the dial (=half way between 12 o’clock and the hour hand). Now point the hour hand (keeping the dial level) in the direction of the sun and your compass is activated.
Example 2: It is 6 pm in your area. Set the “S” facing the “45” (=3 o’clock) on the dial (=half way between 12 o’clock and 6 o’clock). Now point the hour hand (keeping the dial level) in the direction of the sun and your compass is activated.
ANTI-MAGNETISM Only for
AL-525xAQx – AL-760xAQx
Magnetic fields can significantly impact the precision of your watch. There
are many sources of magnetic fields, such as mobile phones, iPads, computers,
loudspeakers, refrigerators and other electronic devices. The more powerful
the magnetic field the higher the impact on your watch. All Alpina watches
designated by “4”, i.e. the “Alpiner 4”, are anti-magnetic. This means that
they have a minimal deviation when exposed to a certain level of magnetic
field.
Alpina “4” anti-magnetic watches conform to the international ISO 764 standard
which defines the resistance of watches to magnetic fields. According to ISO
764 a watch must resist exposition to a direct current magnetic field of 4,800
A/m. The watch must keep its accuracy to ± 30 seconds/day as measured before
the test in order to be recognised as a magnetic-resistant watch.
WATCH CARE & WARRANTY
TAKING CARE OF YOUR ALPINA WATCH
PLEASE FOLLOW THE BELOW RECOMMENDATIONS, TO ENSURE THAT YOUR ALPINA WATCH WILL
SERVE YOU LOYALLY AND WITH EXCELLENCE THROUGHOUT THE YEARS.
- Swimming in salt water: take care to rinse your watch with fresh water immediately after your swim.
- Magnetism: avoid placing your watch on iPads, computers, loudspeakers, mobile phones or refrigerators. These devices generate powerful magnetic fields that can affect the precision of your watch.
- Shocks to the watch: different types of shocks – whether chemical, thermal, physical, magnetic or other – can affect your watch. Take care to avoid them.
- Screw-in crown: to prevent water or humidity from entering the case, make sure the crown is always tightly screwed into the case. Do not use chronograph pushers under water.
- Normal crown: to prevent humidity from entering the case, make sure the crown is always pushed back in the wearing position. Do not use chronograph pushers under water.
- Care and cleaning of metal bracelets, rubber straps and water-resistant metal cases: clean with soapy water and a toothbrush and dry with a soft cloth.
- Chemical products: avoid direct contact with chemical cleaning agents, solvents, detergents, cosmetics and other chemical products, as they may damage your case, bracelet or rubber gaskets.
- Temperature: avoid exposure to temperatures greater than 60°C (140°F), or below 0°C (32°F). Also avoid extreme changes in temperature, such as putting the watch in extremely cold water after prolonged exposure to the sun.
- Water-resistance: a watch’s water-resistance cannot be guaranteed in all situations or for ever. The water-resistance can be affected by a shock to the crown, the ageing of gaskets (for example, due to the action of chemical products), etc.
SERVICE ANDSERVICE INTERVALS
Like any other mechanical precision instrument, it is important to service a
watch at regular intervals to make sure it performs correctly in time. As a
general rule, and depending on how you use your watch and the conditions in
which you use it, we advise you to have your watch serviced every 4 to 5
years.
You can find the list of our Official Retailers and Service Centres at www
.alpina-watches.com.
MECHANICAL WATCHES
The balance wheel in an automatic Alpina watch swings 28,800 times an hour and
the gear train moves forward 691,200 times in 24 hours. In four years, this
represents over one billion impulses!
We advise you to bring your watch every 3-4 years to an official Alpina
Retailer or Service Centre, where a trained watchmaker will meticulously
inspect it before thoroughly cleaning and lubricating the movement.
WATER-RESISTANCE
The water-resistance rating of your watch was determined and checked when it
was manufactured at our workshops. It does not imply a lifetime guarantee
against water entering into the watch.
Your watch is water-resistant only when the crown is fully pushed-in against
the case. If your watch has a screw-in crown, it must be tightly screwed into
the case. Your watch is not water-resistant if the crown is in the winding or
time-setting positions. Likewise, pushers should not be operated while the
watch is wet or in water.
Ageing and normal day-to-day handling affect the water-resistance of your
watch. Avoid temperature extremes (immersing the watch in cold water after a
prolonged period in the hot sun) that can damage the gaskets as well as any
other shocks – chemical, physical or other – which might compromise the
technical integrity of the watch case.
We advise you to bring your watch to an Official Alpina Retailer or Service
Centre for a water-resistance check every 2-3 years.
LEATHER STRAP CARE
We recommend you adhere to the following indications to keep your leather strap in good condition for as long as possible:
- Avoid contact with water and humidity to prevent discoloration and deformation.
- Avoid prolonged exposure to the sun to prevent discoloration.
- Avoid contact with greasy substances, cosmetic products and any other chemical agent. Leather is an organic and permeable material and therefore will not last for ever in its original condition. However, if you adopt the steps above it will last for many years. You can replace your leather strap at any Official Alpina Retailer.
ANTI-REFLECTIVE TREATMENT OF THE SAPPHIRE CRYSTAL
The anti-reflective treatment of the sapphire crystal improves the visibility and contrast of your watch’s dial. Normal daily use and wear and tear may cause marks to appear on the coating. These are considered normal and are therefore not covered by the warranty.
GENUINESS
We are often asked to check if a Alpina watch is genuine. Official Alpina
retailers attest the genuineness of every Alpina watch and provide expert and
dependable after-sales servicing, thanks to their expertise and professional
skills, and to specially adapted equipment.
Alpina Watch International S.A. disclaims any relationship to, or
responsibility for, any timepiece or other item bearing the Alpina name,
brand, logotype or symbol offered for sale by anyone not being an official
Alpina retailer.
Purchasing such an item from an unauthorized party
SCREW-IN CROWN
Some Alpina watches have a screw-in crown, which must be unscrewed to change
the time or the date. After use, the crown must be pressed against the case
and screwed in tightly. Failure to do so will compromise the water-resistance
of your watch.
is therefore at the buyer’s sole risk, particularly in the case of counterfeit
or substandard products and in case of products purchased on the Internet.
No explicit or implicit warranty or servicing or any other obligation shall
ensue for Alpina or for any of its authorized representatives for products
sold by unauthorized parties and not accompanied by a duly stamped Alpina
international warranty certificate.
For the above reasons and in your own interest, you are invited to acquire
only genuine Alpina timepieces available exclusively from a legitimate Alpina
official retailer.
INTERNATIONAL WARRANTY
Your Alpina watch is guaranteed for a period of two years (24 months) starting from the purchase date, covering all manufacturing defects during regular use as stated in the following terms: Alpina Watch International S.A. will replace free of charge any defective component due to a manufacturing error, duly noted by our technical services. Your watch is under warranty for a period of two years from the date on the Warranty Certificate, signed and stamped by an authorised Alpina Retailer.
THIS INTERNATIONAL WARRANTY DOES NOT COVER:
- Theft, loss or acts of God or the consequences of natural disasters;
- The lifetime of the battery;
- Normal wear and tear and ageing (e.g. scratched crystal; alteration of the color and/or material of non-metallic straps and chains, such as leather, textile or rubber; peeling of the plating);
- Any damage on any part of the watch resulting from mistreatment or improper use, lack of care, negligence, accidents (knocks, dents, crushing, broken crystal, etc.), incorrect use of the watch and non-observance of the operating instructions provided by Alpina;
- Indirect or consequential damages of any kind resulting from use, such as non-functioning, defects or inaccuracy of the Alpina watch;
- Defects or damage resulting from any handling or tampering of the watch by any party whatsoever other than a service center duly authorized by Alpina (such as for battery replacement, services or repairs), or altering of its original condition beyond Alpina’s control;
- The use of batteries other than those indicated by Alpina.
This warranty is valid only for wristwatches accompanied by the guarantee certificate duly signed, dated and stamped by the authorized Alpina Retailer. Both the reference and the individual registration numbers of the Alpina watch must be written on the certificate. Any servicing or repair work to your Alpina watch must be carried out solely by an Alpina-approved service and repair center or the International Warranty is no longer valid.
The International Warranty does not in any way cancel, restrict or otherwise affect any legally recognized consumer rights or privileges in the country of purchase of your Alpina watch.
SERVICE CENTERS
For an updated list of our authorized service centers and official retailers please consult our official web site www.alpina-watches.com
References
- Buy the Best Alpina Outdoor Watches Online – Alpina Watches
- Alpina Watches (@alpinawatches) • Instagram photos and videos
- Buy the Best Alpina Outdoor Watches Online – Alpina Watches
- dtsc.ca.gov/hazardouswaste/perchlorate