The AL-525VG4E6 (dark grey dial with rose gold colour) is always out of stock. For me it is this one or the blue dial. But I've been eyeing them both for a year, just never been able to find the dark grey one!!!
It really depends on the manufacturer as the Sellita SW200 is a decent movement but it does have reliability and quality control issues. If the manufacturer carefully checks each movement and then properly installs it there are less issues. I have had several watches with the SW200 and some have been great and others have had problems. I have had more problems with the SW200 than I have had with the ETA 2824-2. I really don't know enough about Alpina to know if they really inspect and correctr each movement. Oris modifies the Sellita SW200 in their watches so it can't be a bad movement.
Im new to watches. my alpina startimer auto chronograph is my first real watch, and i bought it because alpina renowned for having very little issues with warrenty and needing repairs. The al-525 in my watch is apperently based on a valjoux, not sallita, so i dont know if that is a major difference, i just know my watch is amazing, qnd have never had any faults with it.
NikoToscani
May 5, 2018
Technerd108I don't know where you got the info that Oris modifies the Sellita SW200 but that's not accurate, at least for watches like the Divers 65 and the Chronoris. They slap on a red rotor and call it a day. As far as I know - and according to my watchmaker - the movements are not regulated or modified in any appreciable way. I own the two Oris models mentioned and an Alpina - with their in-house manufacture movement - and can say the Alpina is a better made watch.
I'm happy the lug to lug clocks in at over what I like to wear otherwise Massdrop may have just dinged my wallet one more time. That blue face on the brown strap is right in my wheelhouse.
For those interested I believe that Alpina bases their movement on the SW 200.
http://calibercorner.com/sellita-caliber-sw200/
Vintage1982BenzSome say that SW200 is not as great as ETA2824 and they came with an upgraded caliber named SW200-1 as there were some issues with SW200. Info from forums if you google for "SW200 problems"