2.1359 ALPINA “KM 592” KRIEGSMARINE MILITARY ISSUE, SWISS-GERMANY 1940s

An original military-issue Alpina wristwatch supplied for the German Kriegsmarine during the 1940s. Its defining feature is the K.M. 592 marking on the dial: “K.M.” denotes Kriegsmarine service, while “592” identifies the Alpina calibre fitted inside.

This compact naval service watch follows the functional requirements associated with Kriegsmarine wristwatches of the period: a light and highly legible dial, simple black Arabic numerals, luminous hour plots and hands, subsidiary seconds, fixed strap bars, a screw-down stainless steel caseback, and a reliable 15-jewel lever movement with shock protection. Documented Alpina K.M. watches were characteristically small, generally around 31–33 mm, with silver or cream dials designed for clarity rather than decoration.

The watch has a strong and honest wartime appearance. Its cream dial has developed a dense mottled patina, while the plated brass case shows extensive age-related wear and exposed base metal around the bezel and lugs.

Specifications

• Brand: Alpina
• Model: K.M. 592 Kriegsmarine military issue
• Year: 1940s
• Origin: Swiss-made for German naval service
• Movement: Alpina calibre 592, mechanical manual-wind, 15 jewels
• Shock protection: Shock-protected balance
• Case: Plated brass case with fixed strap bars
• Caseback: Screw-down stainless steel caseback
• Case number: 323961
• Crystal: Domed mineral crystal
• Dial: Cream military dial with subsidiary seconds
• Indices: Black Arabic numerals with luminous hour plots
• Hands: Dark brass hands with luminous infill
• Lume: Safe non-radioactive luminous compound (replaced)
• Strap: Hand-made genuine leather strap in vintage military style

About the Alpina K.M.

Alpina was among the Swiss manufacturers that supplied service wristwatches to the German Kriegsmarine during the Second World War. Surviving examples are recognised by the K.M. designation on the dial, accompanied on Alpina watches by the number 592/586, referring directly to the hand-wound calibre inside. Alpina later drew on this historical model when creating its modern KM-710 reinterpretation.

The configuration of this example corresponds closely to documented Alpina K.M. watches and to the models illustrated in Konrad Knirim’s standard reference literature on German military timepieces.

Servicing and Warranty

• Fully serviced with disassembly in our Bristol shop
• Mechanics in full working order
• 12-month movement warranty
• Warranty Terms and Conditions
• No water resistance warranty