====== Alpina ======
{{wst>menue|Alpina}}

**Alpina** is a German and Swiss watch brand. In existence since 1883, the Alpina brand is part of [[Citizen]] as of [[2016]].

{{wst>image_r|Hauser,_Gottlieb|Gottlieb Hauser, founder of the //Corporation d'Horlogers Suisse//}}
===== Corporation d'Horlogers Suisse and Union Horlogère =====
The association, "Corporation d'Horlogers Suisse" (Swiss watchmaker Association) was founded in [[1883]] by [[Hauser, Gottlieb|Gottlieb Hauser]], and was located in [[Biel]] from [[1890]]. The aim of this merger of leading manufacturer and traders was cost-effective production and distribution of watches. From [[1901]], the association was called "Union Horlogère" (Watch Association). There were factories in [[Geneva]], [[Biel]] and in French [[Besançon]].

The name "Alpina" was initially used to designate internally-developed [[calibre]]s. Alpina was a developer and manufacturer of [[ebauche movement]]s at the [[Duret & Colonnaz]] factory in [[Geneva]]. The brand name "Alpina" was officially registered in [[1901]].

{{wst>image_r|Alpina_Union_Horlogere_Logo|Logo of the //Alpina - Union Horlogère//}}
===== Members of the Union Horlogère =====
The "Union Horlogère" included related producers and companies 

  * [[J. Straub & Co.]]
  * [[Kurth Frères]], [[Grenchen]] (later [[Certina]])
  * [[Duret & Colonnaz]], [[Geneva]] ([[ebauche movement]]s)
  * [[Huguenin Frères|Huguenin]] - Robert (Gehäuse)
  * [[Schwob Freres & Co]], [[La Chaux-de-Fonds]] ([[Cyma]])
  * [[Robert Frères]], [[Villeret]] ([[Minerva]])
  * [[Assmann, Julius|J. Assmann, Glashütte]] from [[1904]] for the German market

Thus, the cooperative was based in Germany with representatives in Eastern and Northern Europe. The North American watch manufacturers [[Green]] and [[Hamilton]] appeared in [[1905]]. This brought about the formation of [[Alpina Gruen Guild|Alpina Gruen Guild SA]].

===== Alpina in Germany =====
From about [[1909]] a branch of Alpina appeared in [[Glashütte]] named "Präcisions-Uhrenfabrik Alpina". The products manufactured here were watches equipped with Swiss movements. Later these movements were used by [[UROFA]].

In [[1917]], the Deutsche Uhrmachergenossenschaft Alpina ("German watchmaker cooperative Alpina") was founded in Eisenach by the merger of the watch manufacturers [[Biel]]-[[Geneva]] and [[Glashütte]]. Their headquarters was moved to Berlin in [[1927]].

In [[1938]] Alpina presented the model "Alpina 4", which, as its name indicates, combined four important quality characteristics [[Anti-magnetic]], [[water resistant]], [[Incabloc]] [[shock protection]], and a case in [[stainless steel]]. In addition, the Alpina 4 was equipped with the [[manual winding]] Alpina 592 movement, one of the most reliable available at that time. Thanks to ongoing technical improvements, Alpina sports watches enjoyed great success for several decades.

===== Dugena =====
During World War II, the Allies prohibited the Union Horlogère to continue sales in Germany under the name "Alpina". Therefore, in [[1942]], Alpina was renamed "[[Dugena|DUGENA - German watchmaker cooperative Alpina]]". As a trademark, the circle in the triangle is selected under the new brand, and achieved a high level of awareness.

===== Alpina Watch International =====
"Alpina Union Horlogère" was renamed in [[1972]] to "Alpina Watch International". In the 1970's and 1980's, the [[quartz crisis]] came and left this company, like so many others, in dire straits. Eventually there was only one German sales office, in Cologne. In [[2000]], the brand disappeared from the market.

{{wst>image_cl|Alpina|Manufacture Regulator}}

===== Revival of Alpina in Switzerland =====
Interest in the famous brand remained in Switzerland, and in [[2002]], the Alpina name was acquired by the founders of [[Frederique Constant]] of [[Geneva]]. Their owners, the couple [[Stas, Aletta & Peter|Aletta and Peter Stas]], had created a sensation with the rapid rise of their own brand and wanted to rebuild Alpina as well.

The new "Alpina Watches International SA" refers their workshops and offices in [[Plan-les-Ouates]], a suburb of [[Geneva]].

In [[2003]] Alpina was reintroduced at the Basel Fair with a complete model lineup. The image of the brand is oriented again to the "spirit of alpinism". Accordingly, the new models have a sporty and robust appearance. The sports watch collection uses the strong expressive name "Avalanche".

Although the movements were initially purchased from [[ETA]], in [[2008]] a proprietary, in-house [[manufacture]] movement appeared, the [[AL-950]] with [[automatic]] winding. Later the brand added other movements, [[AL-980]], [[AL-718]], and [[AL-710]], although the company continues to also use branded versions of the [[Valjoux 7750]], [[Sellita SW500]], and [[Unitas]] ebauches.

In [[2008]], for the 125th anniversary the brand, already more than 200 dealers offered Alpina watches all over the world. Like [[Frederique Constant]], Alpina is priced as an "affordable" brand, albeit with true [[manufacture]] movements.

In [[2016]], [[Frederique Constant]] was acquired by [[Citizen]] of Japan, including the Alpina brand.

===== Address =====
Alpina Watch International S.A.\\ 
8, Chemin de la Galaise\\ Plan-les-Ouates\\ CH-1228 Genf\\ Tel +41 22 860 0180\\ Fax +41 22 860 0464

===== Weblinks =====
  *[[http://www.alpina-watches.com|Alpina]]


{{tag>Organizations_and_institutions Watch_brands Watch_brands_Switzerland Manufactures Citizen_Holdings Plan-les-Ouates}}