The Alpina 642 watch movement is equipped with a manual wind mechanism and features a sub-second function. The movement has several recorded variations in balance staffs, although their differences are generally minor and allow for the use or adaptation of various staffs. Additionally, there are multiple catalog designations for different bridge shapes associated with models identified as 186, 188, 198, 215, 216, 221, and 223, but specific differences between them are not known.