Longines Reimagines Its Historic Flyback in 39.5 Millimetres

Saying Longines has had an illustrious profession within the subject of aviation is a gross understatement, provided that the watch model boasts milestones that stretch again greater than a century, from the primary high-frequency timer to measure one hundredth of a second at 360,000 beats per hour, in 1916, to the primary wristwatch to point a second time zone, in 1925. (For a extra detailed examination, learn the Legacy 2026 problem’s cowl story for a deep dive into the century-long historical past of Longines in aviation, particularly as creators of precision devices to assist navigation and timekeeping.)

This quarter, as a part of its replace of its Spirit assortment, Longines turned its consideration to the innovation that it invented within the early Nineteen Thirties after which patented in 1935: the flyback chronograph. The brand new Spirit Pilot Flyback contains a slew of delicate however highly effective enhancements condensed right into a smaller package deal. Measuring simply 39.5 millimetres, with a thickness of 13.4 millimetres, this stainless-steel mannequin is considerably smaller in contrast with the prevailing flyback chronographs within the Spirit assortment, which are available in at 42 millimetres and 17 millimetres as an alternative. The Spirit Pilot Flyback additionally sports activities a bidirectional rotating bezel with a black ceramic insert, now for the primary time with a countdown timer. And to amp up distinction and legibility, the watch is fitted with a field sapphire crystal with anti-reflective remedy and a matt black dial — collectively a tribute to classic aviation devices — and gold-coloured fingers and utilized numerals, all handled with Tremendous-Luminova.

The engine that drives the Spirit Pilot Flyback is the COSC chronometer licensed handbook winding Longines calibre L792.4, which owes its precision timing capabilities to its column-wheel chronograph mechanism with flyback perform, and its magnetic resistance to the silicon stability spring. An influence reserve of 68 hours and water-resistance of 100 metres be sure that the watch retains functioning underneath practically all situations. A see-through screw-down caseback and a stainless-steel bracelet or brown leather-based strap — interchangeable choices, each with a microadjustment folding clasp — full the timepiece.

In addition to the Spirit Pilot Flyback, the Spirit assortment, which launched in 2020, additionally welcomed the brand new Spirit Pilot. An replace of the three-hand mannequin, the Spirit Pilot contains a redesigned stainless-steel 39-millimetre case that boasts improved ergonomics, the omission of the date window and five-star emblem to prioritise performance and profit legibility, and a refined minute monitor. Collectively, these two novelties convey with them an abundance of utility in order that they continue to be devoted to their tool-watch heritage, all whereas staying true to the aesthetic codes established by the unique Spirit assortment. Word that the specs under are for the Flyback solely.

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