Welcome, Alpina enthusiasts! Have you ever found yourself marveling at your exquisitely crafted Alpina watch, only to realize that you’re unsure about the proper winding technique? Worry not, because today’s blog post is here to guide you through the delicate intricacies of winding an Alpina watch with precision and care, ensuring its longevity and enhancing its already mesmerizing allure.

How to Wind an Alpina Watch Correctly: A Simplified Guide

Identifying Your Watch Type

Alpina has a remarkable range of watches, from hand-wound and self-winding models to quartz options. While most of their collection focuses on self-winding and quartz model watches, they also offer hand-wound models for those who prioritize accuracy with minimal maintenance.

The Extreme Automatic collection, in particular, offers a variety of styles and designs, so there’s truly an Alpina for everyone.

Before winding your watch, it’s essential to know its type. Alpina manual-wind watches need regular winding to maintain their power, while self-winding models stay wound through natural wrist movement or by using a watch winder.

1. Wearing the Watch Daily

When you wear your Alpina watch frequently, your arm’s natural movement winds the watch’s movement, ensuring accurate timekeeping without manual winding.

2. Manual Winding – Rotating the Crown

To manually wind your watch, set the crown to position 0, and wind it clockwise 20 to 30 times. This initial winding will activate the movement, which can then continue to self-wind as you move throughout the day.

Note: Some models have a screw-down crown. Be sure to unscrew it fully before winding, and once you’re finished, screw it back in to maintain the watch’s water resistance.

3. Automatic Winding – Using an Alpina Watch Winder

If you own multiple luxury watches or don’t wear your Alpina daily, a watch winder can be a practical solution. Reputable brands like Mozsly and Wolf make winders that mimic wrist motion, keeping your watch wound without the need for manual winding.

How Does an Automatic Watch Winder Work?

Not familiar with a watch winder? Think of it as a jewelry box with a motor that gently rotates your watch at intervals, simulating the wrist’s natural motion. This keeps your watch fully wound, accurate, and ready to wear.

Watch winders offer multiple rotation settings—clockwise, counterclockwise, or both—depending on your watch’s specific needs. If you own more than one watch, a multi-watch winder with alternating rotations is a convenient way to keep them all wound.

For Alpina watches, which usually require 650 to 820 turns per day (typically in a clockwise direction), most high-quality winders have the settings needed to keep your timepiece in perfect condition.

Alpina Winding Parameters

Here are the key terms to know when using your winder:

• CW – Clockwise
• CCW – Counterclockwise
• Both – Combined mode (Clockwise + Counterclockwise)
• – – Undefined

MODEL, DESCRIPTION	MOVEMENT / CALIBER	WINDING DIRECTION	TURNS PER DAY (TPD)
12 hours of Sebring		Both	800
12 hours of Sebring Chrono GMT		CW	800
Alpina 130 Heritage Pilot Chrono		CW	800
Alpiner		Both	650
Alpiner 4 Chrono		CW	800
Alpiner 4 GMT		Both	650
Alpiner GMT		Both	650
Avalanche	AL650 (Auto)	Both	650
Avalanche Automatic Chrono		CW	800
Avalanche Extrme Automatic		Both	650
Avalanche Extrme Diver		Both	650
Avalanche Extreme Regulator 1883 Double Digit “Full Black”	AL850	CW	800
Avalanche Extreme Regulateur Automatic Ceramic – Ladies		CW	800
Extreme Automatic	AL525	Both	650
Extreme Chrono Double Digit	AL850	CW	800
Extreme Diver 1000m	AL525	Both	650
Extreme Diver 300m		Both	650
Extreme Diver 300m Chrono		CW	800
Extreme Diver 300m Orange		Both	650
Extreme Regulator	AL650	Both	650
Extreme Tourbillon Regulator	AL980	CW	820
Heritage Automatic		Both	650
Heritage Automatic Chronograph	AL850	CW	800
Heritage Chrono Calendar		CW	800
Heritage Chronograph		Both	650
Heritage Gold Automatic Chronograph	AL850	CW	800
Manufacture Regulator	AL950	Both	650
Racing “12 Hours of Sebring”	AL525	Both	650
Racing “12 Hours of Sebring”	AL725	CW	800
Racing “12 Hours of Sebring” Automatic GMT	AL750	CW	800
Racing “12 Hours of Sebring” World Time Chronograph	AL750	CW	800
Sailing Chrono		CW	800
Sailing Yacht Timer		CW	800
Startimer Automatic		CW	800
Startimer Chronograph		CW	800
Startimer Chronograph BlacK Star		CW	800
Startimer Chronograph GMT		CW	800
Startimer GMT Automatic Chronograph	AL750	CW	800
Startimer Pilot		Both	650
Startimer Pilot Chrono		Both	650
Startimer Pilot Small Second		Both	650
Startimer Pilot Sunstar		Both	650
Tourbillon Manufacture Regulator	AL980	–	–
Yacht Timer		CW	800
	AL525	Both	650
	AL550	Both	650
	AL650 (Auto)	Both	650
	AL725	CW	800
	AL750	CW	800
	AL850	CW	800
	AL950	–	–
	AL980	–	–

How to Properly Use and Set the Alpina Watch Winder?

If for some reason you don’t have access to your watch’s user guide, here are some more detailed tips to help you set up the Alpina watch with your automatic watch winder:

Step 1: Manual Wind First

Since your winder will not wind a watch that is completely stopped, start by turning the crown 20 to 30 times to manually wind the Alpina.

Step 2: Secure the Watch in the Winder

Carefully place the watch into the winder, making sure it is fully seated in the holder. Then adjust the TPD to the lowest setting and select bidirectional rotation mode.

Step 3: Turn it on & Adjust Settings

Turn on the winder. During the next 48 hours or so, periodically check that the watch is still keeping accurate time. 

Generally speaking, an automatic watch has about 40 hours of reserve time since it is wound. Here’s what to do depending on your situation:

• If Time is Accurate After 2 Days: You’ve found the right setting! Your watch is good to go, and there’s no need to adjust further.
• If Time is Incorrect: Increase the Turns Per Day (TPD) setting to the next level, reset the winder, and let it run for another 48 hours.
• Still Wrong? Try Clockwise Only: If the watch is still losing or gaining time, set the winder to rotate clockwise only. After another two days, check again.
• Last resort – Counterclockwise Only: If the time is still off, switch the setting to counterclockwise only and monitor again for two days.

Does Alpina Recommend using a Watch Winder?

Alpina has not explicitly stated whether it recommends the use of watch winders.

Although not endorsed, many professional watchmakers agree that the use of a reliable watch winder from a reputable watch winder brand (e.g. Wolf, Mozsly, Barrington) can effectively wind an Alpina automatically. The correct TPD setting is essential to avoid over-winding the movement.

So, to summarize – regular wear is the best option, but a quality watch winder can provide a convenient solution for in-between wearing.

What is the Best Watch Winder for Alpina?

If you are considering a watch winder, it is vital that you choose a high quality that meets the specific requirements of your Alpina watch. 

Here are two recommended options:

MOZSLY® Single Watch Winder – Black Leather

Material: Wooden Box, PU Leather, Acrylic Board

Dimensions: 4.4 x 6 x 4.4 inches

Features: 4 modes with TPD settings from 650 to 1500, multiple winding directions, upgraded Japanese Mabuchi Motor, anti-magnetization design, dual power type, 3-year warranty, 100% handmade

MOZSLY® Double Watch Winder -Orange Leather

Material: Wooden Box, PU Leather, Acrylic Board

Size: 8.8 x 5.9 x 4.7 inches

Features: Supports two watches simultaneously, quiet motor, adjustable settings, upgraded Mabuchi motor, and 3-year warranty

MOZSLY watch winders use high-quality upgraded Japanese Mabuchi motors, a well-known brand that manufactures precision motors. These motors keep the noise below 10 db so it will give you a very quiet experience even if you put it in your bedroom. The internal motor is closed and can be separated from the watch so that the Alpina will not be magnetized and affect the running time.

Mozsly watch winders come with a 36-month warranty and friendly customer support, making it easy to buy with confidence!

In Conclusion

Choosing a Mozsly watch winder is a smart choice for Alpina owners who want to preserve the accuracy and longevity of their timepieces.

Just make sure to select the right TPD and rotation settings, following Alpina’s guidelines for best results. With a Mozsly winder, you’ll enjoy the elegance of your Alpina, always ticking perfectly, year after year.