Arms-On Debut: Longines Spirit Flyback Watch

For the reason that line’s preliminary introduction in 2020, the Longines Spirit assortment has swiftly grown to change into one of many trendy cornerstones of the model, with a sporting look that feels timeless with out instantly echoing anybody classic Longines reference. Prior to now three years, the sequence has expanded to incorporate a broad vary of case sizes, supplies, and problems, starting from diminutive three-handers to traditional pilot’s chronographs and the wildly in style Zulu Time GMT mannequin. For its newest launch, Longines goals to mix the Spirit platform with certainly one of its signature problems: the flyback chronograph. For these which are unaware, Longines made the first-ever two-pusher flyback chronograph in 1925, and has held patents surrounding the idea for the reason that legendary 13ZN motion of 1936. Whereas including this unique complication to the Spirit line is a sizeable step ahead already, the model additionally takes this chance to visually refine the Spirit platform at massive, addressing many frequent group speaking factors round each the sequence and trendy Longines releases as a complete. Consequently, the brand new Longines Spirit Flyback is probably the most full Spirit launch to this point, combining a formidable bespoke motion, enticing ending, and a neatly balanced structure right into a handsomely refined tackle the traditional pilot’s chronograph.

Though the 42mm-wide chrome steel case of the Longines Spirit Flyback just isn’t small by any means, the model makes this design put on impressively effectively by a sequence of considerate design choices. The general silhouette is deceptively easy, with athletic tapering lugs, a broad steady polished case aspect chamfer, and a gear-toothed rotating bezel. Whereas these are all deeply acquainted sports activities watch cues, Longines performs with the general proportions right here to make this a balanced and surprisingly compact sporting expertise. Some of the frequent complaints leveled towards trendy Longines is that the model’s lugs are excessively lengthy, resulting in ugly overhang and a ponderous stance on many wrists. The model has taken this criticism to coronary heart with the Spirit Flyback, and even in comparison with prior Spirit releases these lugs are remarkably well-proportioned. Moderately than tapering long gone the spring bar attachment level, Longines cuts these lugs off abruptly with a suitably tool-esque squared tip that includes a gently angled reduce that additional reduces the obvious size of those lugs on the wrist. Likewise, the obvious top of the case sides is minimized right here due to each the vast polished chamfer, and the graceful utilitarian brushing of the broader case surfaces. As well as, the majority of the case is break up deftly between the case aspect itself, the bezel, and the deeply domed caseback. On paper, this case measures in at a complete thickness of 17mm, which is immense even by pilot’s chronograph requirements. In observe, nevertheless, the model’s design wizardry permits this to put on nearer to 13.5mm or 14mm-thick on the wrist. It’s nonetheless not a skinny watch, nevertheless it’s way more wearable than the armchair pundits would have you ever consider.

Past the proportions, there’s commendable consideration to element within the Longines Spirit Flyback’s case. The matte blasted crown with its complicated polished reduction signature is a microcosm of the model’s ending philosophy right here, nevertheless it’s the bezel insert that actually steals the present. This shiny black ceramic insert options lumed numerals and sq. markers at five-minute intervals, however Longines additionally works with visible depth right here. Every of the black sq. minute markers is deeply engraved into the ceramic floor, including a second layer to the bezel design and breaking apart the in any other case uniformly shiny insert with matte accents. Longines caps off the caseback with a sapphire show window, and charges the look ahead to a stable 100 meters of water resistance.

Just like the case, the dial of the Longines Spirit Flyback massages and refines earlier Spirit sequence ideas right into a extra cohesive, balanced entire. The acquainted Spirit sequence hallmarks are right here, such because the slender straight sword handset, the polished accent ring punctuated by diamond-shaped hour markers, the utilized Arabic numerals, and the five-star chronometer branding at 6 o’clock, however Longines tweaks most of those acquainted cues to work collectively extra harmoniously. Probably the most quick change is to the dial {hardware}, which abandons the normal polished yellow gold of earlier iterations in favor of a hotter, extra charismatic bronze tone. This bronze hue unifies the palms, the subdial rings, the utilized numerals, and extra whereas shifting the entire Spirit design in a extra classic route, all with out resorting to doubtlessly divisive khaki lume. Moreover, the dial floor itself takes on extra nuance than earlier Spirit iterations. From most viewing angles, it is a traditional matte black pilot’s watch dial, however harsh lighting situations reveal a faint, nuanced sunburst texture that rewards shut viewing. Longines makes use of a clear, balanced two-register structure for the chronograph right here, and each the three o’clock chronograph minutes and the 9 o’clock working seconds subdial nestle neatly between the encompassing numerals with none divisive cutoff designs. In the same vein, the no-date structure of the Spirit Flyback is prone to be a preferred one amongst fanatics, and it leaves the dial kind of completely symmetrical.

The L791.4 computerized flyback chronograph motion contained in the Longines Spirit Flyback is made by Swatch Group sister firm ETA completely for Longines, and like the remainder of the watch, this new powerplant represents a big step ahead for the sequence. After all, the complicated and attention-grabbing flyback chronograph complication is a rarity by itself at this value level, however the L791.4 takes issues additional with an ultra-modern silicon stability spring, a column wheel, and COSC chronometer certification for accuracy. A 68-hour energy reserve at a 25,200 bph beat price rounds out a formidable listing of efficiency figures. Visually, the L791.4 can also be a step ahead for Longines, with a beautiful mixture of finishes all through. Not solely are many of the distinguished screws attractively blued, the L791.4 presents its column wheel entrance and middle in an identical blued end for added visible impression. The plates and bridges add tight perlage to the combination, whereas the rotor builds upon a base of Omega-esque arabesque waves with a gilt engraved globe motif and a central blued bearing screw. To finish the look, Longines matches this explicit Spirit Flyback with a traditional mahogany brown leather-based deployant strap that includes shiny white field stitching. Like many trendy Longines straps, nevertheless, it is a weak level for the Spirit Flyback as a complete, with a stiff sporting expertise that tends to pinch the perimeters of the wrist.

With the launch of the Spirit Flyback, Longines builds upon the inspiration of earlier Spirit releases whereas refining the sequence to new heights. From its new chronograph complication to the tweaked and balanced presentation, it is a main step ahead for the Spirit sequence and factors to a shiny future for the road as a complete. The Longines Spirit Flyback is offered now by approved sellers. Beginning MSRP for the Longines Spirit Flyback stands at $4,450 USD as of press time. For extra data, please go to the model’s web site.