Longines Spirit Pilot and Spirit Pilot Flyback

With a legacy deeply intertwined with the golden age of aviation, Longines has long served as a crucial instrument maker for pioneers of the sky. The brand's timepieces have accompanied explorers on historic flights and perilous expeditions, earning a reputation for precision and reliability under extreme conditions. This rich heritage finds a modern voice in the Spirit collection, first introduced in 2020 as a tribute to the adventurers who placed their trust in Longines. For 2025, the collection expands, reinforcing its connection to aeronautical history with the introduction of the new Spirit Pilot and Spirit Pilot Flyback models, which refine the collection's core design while introducing enhanced functionality.

Longines’ connection to aviation is not a recent marketing narrative but a foundational element of its identity. The Swiss watchmaker was present during many of the 20th century's most significant aerial achievements, creating instruments that were essential for navigation and timing. These were not mere accessories but vital tools that performed flawlessly in the unpressurized, unforgiving cockpits of early aircraft. The brand's commitment to this field is evident in its development of specialized technologies, including the flyback chronograph, a complication born directly from the needs of pilots. The Spirit collection is a direct continuation of this lineage, designed for a new generation but built upon the same principles of performance and legibility that guided its historical predecessors.



The new additions to the Spirit line represent a careful evolution of an already successful formula. Rather than a complete overhaul, Longines has opted for thoughtful refinements that enhance both the aesthetics and the practical utility of the watches. The Spirit Pilot updates the classic three-hand configuration with a cleaner, more focused design, while the Spirit Pilot Flyback introduces a more compact case and a new countdown bezel to the sophisticated chronograph model. Both timepieces demonstrate a mastery of blending vintage-inspired design cues with thoroughly modern watchmaking technology, creating instruments that feel both nostalgic and contemporary.

Focusing first on the Longines Spirit Pilot, this new three-hand model presents a more streamlined and purposeful take on the collection's core design. Housed in a stainless steel case measuring a versatile 39 mm in diameter and a comfortable 11.5 mm in thickness, the watch is engineered for improved ergonomics and a refined presence on the wrist. The case architecture features a mix of brushed and polished surfaces that articulate its strong lines, while a prominent, easy-to-grip screw-down crown ensures practical operation and contributes to a robust water resistance of 100 meters. The construction is further solidified by a new screw-down case back, engraved with the "SPIRIT PILOT" designation, signifying a shift towards an even more robust build quality.

The dial of the Spirit Pilot is a study in functional clarity. The matt black surface serves as a high-contrast background, designed to eliminate distractions and prioritize immediate readability. In a significant design update, Longines has removed the five stars and the date window that were present on the original Spirit models. This deliberate simplification places the focus squarely on time-telling. The minute track has also been refined for greater precision. Gilt, or gold-colored, applied Arabic numerals mark the hours, their warm tone providing a distinct vintage character. These numerals, along with the matching gilt hands, are generously treated with Super-LumiNova®, ensuring that the watch remains perfectly legible in low-light conditions, a critical requirement for any true pilot's watch. A domed sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating on both sides protects the dial while minimizing glare.



Powering the Spirit Pilot is the exclusive Longines calibre L888.4, a self-winding mechanical movement that exemplifies the brand's commitment to technical excellence. This calibre is officially certified as a chronometer by the COSC (Contrôle Officiel Suisse des Chronomètres), a testament to its high precision and reliability. Its architecture includes a silicon balance spring, a component that provides exceptional resistance to magnetism, temperature variations, and corrosion. As a result, the movement offers magnetic resistance ten times greater than the ISO 764 standard, ensuring its accuracy is unaffected by the magnetic fields common in modern environments. Operating at 25,200 vibrations per hour, the L888.4 provides a substantial power reserve of up to 72 hours, allowing the watch to run for three full days without needing to be worn or wound.

Versatility is a key aspect of the Spirit Pilot, which is offered with several wearing options to suit different styles and activities. A robust stainless steel bracelet with a double safety folding clasp provides a classic, durable choice. For a more traditional aesthetic, a brown leather strap is available, also fitted with a folding clasp. Both the bracelet and the leather strap feature a micro-adjustment system for a perfect fit. A third option is a modern green textile-style rubber strap equipped with a simple pin buckle. The leather and rubber straps are designed with an interchangeability system, allowing for quick and easy swaps without the need for tools, further enhancing the watch's adaptability.

The centerpiece of the new releases is arguably the Longines Spirit Pilot Flyback, a chronograph that celebrates one of the brand's most significant historical contributions to watchmaking. Longines was a pioneer in the development of the flyback function, producing some of the earliest examples in the 1930s and securing a patent for the technology in 1935. This complication allows a user to reset and restart the chronograph with a single press of a pusher, rather than the three separate actions (stop, reset, restart) required by a standard chronograph. This instantaneous action was invaluable for pilots, who needed to time consecutive events with precision and speed during navigation.



This new Spirit Pilot Flyback is presented in a thoughtfully re-proportioned stainless steel case measuring 39.5 mm in diameter. With a thickness of just 13.4 mm, it offers a sleeker and more comfortable profile than many contemporary chronographs, making it suitable for a wider range of wrist sizes and occasions. A key functional upgrade is the bidirectional rotating bezel, which now features a black ceramic insert marked with a countdown timer. This practical tool, with its Super-LumiNova® treated numerals and reference triangle, allows for the timing of events in reverse, adding another layer of utility. The vintage aesthetic is enhanced by a box-shaped sapphire crystal, which recalls the acrylic crystals of historic pilot's watches while offering modern scratch resistance.

The dial of the Flyback maintains the matt black, high-contrast theme of the collection. The bi-compax layout features two subdials: a 30-minute counter at 3 o’clock and a running small seconds indicator at 9 o’clock. Applied gilt Arabic numerals and gilt hands, all treated with Super-LumiNova®, ensure that visibility is never compromised. The layout is balanced and intuitive, delivering a wealth of information without appearing cluttered. The chronograph is operated by two polished pushers flanking the screw-down crown, providing crisp and satisfying tactile feedback.



Visible through a transparent screw-down case back is the exclusive Longines calibre L792.4, a hand-wound mechanical movement that is a marvel of engineering. This movement is built around a column-wheel chronograph mechanism, a sophisticated architecture favored by enthusiasts for its smooth and precise pusher action. As a COSC-certified chronometer, its accuracy is assured. Like its three-hand counterpart, it incorporates a silicon balance spring for superior magnetic resistance. The hand-wound nature of the L792.4 creates a more direct and engaging connection between the watch and its owner, while offering a power reserve of up to 68 hours. The finishing on the movement, including blued screws and Geneva stripes, is a visual delight that underscores the quality of the timepiece.

The Spirit Pilot Flyback is available with either a stainless steel bracelet or an interchangeable brown leather strap. Both options are equipped with a micro-adjustable folding clasp, ensuring a secure and comfortable fit. The inclusion of the interchangeability system on the leather strap provides the flexibility to easily alter the watch's character, shifting from a rugged tool watch on a bracelet to a more classic pilot's watch on leather. This blend of historical significance, advanced mechanical performance, and thoughtful design makes the Flyback a compelling flagship for the expanded Spirit collection.

The 2025 Spirit Pilot collection continues the proud tradition established by Longines in Saint-Imier, Switzerland, since 1832. These watches are instruments of achievement, built for individuals who see the world as a place to be explored. They prove that a deep respect for heritage can coexist with a forward-looking approach to horological engineering. For a new generation of adventurers and watch enthusiasts, the Spirit Pilot collection offers the same promise of performance and reliability that has guided Longines for nearly two centuries.



The new Longines Spirit Pilot models are available now. The 39 mm three-hand version is offered in three variations: reference L3.809.4.53.6 on a stainless steel bracelet is priced at $3,100.00; reference L3.809.4.53.2 on a brown leather strap is priced at $2,850.00; and reference L3.809.4.53.9 on a green rubber strap is priced at $2,700.00. The 39.5 mm Spirit Pilot Flyback is available in two variations: reference L3.721.4.53.6 on a stainless steel bracelet is priced at $5,550.00, and reference L3.721.4.53.2 on a brown leather strap is priced at $5,350.00.

Longines Spirit Pilot

Case: Ø 39 mm, 11.5 mm thickness, stainless steel, domed sapphire crystal with multi-layer anti-reflective coating on both sides, screw-down crown and case back, 20 mm lug distance, water-resistant to 10 bar (100 metres).

Movement: Exclusive Longines calibre L888.4, self-winding mechanical, COSC chronometer-certified, silicon balance-spring providing high magnetic resistance, 21 jewels, 25,200 vibrations per hour, power reserve up to 72 hours.

Dial: Matt black with 12 applied gilt Arabic numerals and gilt hands, both featuring Super-LumiNova® treatment.

Strap: Stainless steel bracelet with micro-adjustable folding clasp; interchangeable brown leather strap with micro-adjustable folding clasp; interchangeable green rubber strap with pin-buckle.

Price: $3,100.00 (Bracelet), $2,850.00 (Leather), $2,700.00 (Rubber).

Reference Number: L3.809.4.53.6 (Bracelet), L3.809.4.53.2 (Leather), L3.809.4.53.9 (Rubber).

Notes: The dial design is simplified compared to previous Spirit models, with the date and five stars removed for a cleaner look. The movement's magnetic resistance is 10 times greater than the ISO 764 standard.



Longines Spirit Pilot Flyback

Case: Ø 39.5 mm, 13.4 mm thickness, stainless steel, box-shaped sapphire crystal with anti-reflective treatment, bidirectional rotating bezel with black ceramic countdown timer insert, transparent screw-down case back, 20 mm lug distance, water-resistant to 10 bar (100 metres).

Movement: Exclusive Longines calibre L792.4, hand-wound mechanical column-wheel chronograph, COSC chronometer-certified, silicon balance-spring providing high magnetic resistance, flyback function, 23 jewels, 28,800 vibrations per hour, power reserve up to 68 hours.

Dial: Matt black with 10 applied gilt Arabic numerals, gilt hands with Super-LumiNova®, small seconds at 9 o’clock, 30-minute counter at 3 o’clock.

Strap: Stainless steel bracelet with folding clasp; interchangeable brown leather strap with micro-adjustable folding clasp.

Price: $5,550.00 (Bracelet), $5,350.00 (Leather).

Reference Number: L3.721.4.53.6 (Bracelet), L3.721.4.53.2 (Leather).

Notes: Features a flyback chronograph complication, a technology Longines patented in 1935. The hand-wound movement is visible through the transparent case back. The bezel features a countdown scale on a ceramic insert for the first time in the collection.