Exploring the Longines Spirit Watch Collection

The winged hourglass brand draws upon its links with the aviation industry with a set of present-day pilot’s watches equipped with contemporary dials, colours, cases and movements.

Launched earlier last year, the Longines Spirit is an important collection for the St Imier-based brand, since it signifies a completely new design as opposed to a newer take on an older model or a modified timepiece from its historical catalogue. Instead, although not Heritage-inspired, these relatively new models feature modern dials, movements, cases and colours that exemplify the company’s chosen path both as a watch innovator and as a dedicated aviation timekeeping expert. Longines Spirit watches are dedicated to pioneering aviators both of the past, the present and the future. Paul-Emile Victor, Amelia Earhart and Elinor Smith are just a few examples of aviators that have worn a Longines watch on the wrist to keep precision time whilst taking to the skies.

One of the most illustrious names associated with Longines, however, is aviator Charles Lindbergh, who in 1927 achieved the first solo non-stop transatlantic flight using a Longines watch to time his record-breaking achievement. After this, Lindbergh worked alongside Longines to create the Hour Angle Watch. Like the collection, these aviation professionals, all with their own needs and requirements, seek-out and acquire a Longines pilot’s watch for reasons personal to them. No doubt it is the strength, precision and performance of Longines’ manufacture that keeps them coming back time and time again, however.

The Longines Spirit watch collection is home to quite a few different personalities, especially when you take into consideration the choice to be made between a leather strap and metal bracelet, which instantly changes the look of the watch from a casual yet classic timepiece to a companion for wearing alongside more formal attire. The collection offers a 40mm three-handed date version and a 42mm three-handed date version as well as a more masculine chronograph iteration. The smaller three-hand date will give you a more compact vintage-inspired option, whilst the larger 42mm is bolder and considerably more modern. Aside from the differences between the two sizes, the smaller three-handed date Longines Spirit watch replaces the 3 o’clock Arabic numeral with the date aperture, whereas the larger model features both elements side-by-side.

Of course, deciding on which Longines Spirit watch is best for you will depend on whether you’re in search of a simple and refined three-hander with a useful addition of a date at 3 o’clock, or whether your collection would benefit from a sportier, more technical chronograph watch. The former, of course, requires another decision to make between case diameters – 40mm or 42mm? To simplify the decision-making process – the three-handed date Spirit watch is available in three dial colours - a deep blue sunray brushed dial, a matte black dial or a silvered grey version. All three dial colours are available in both sizes and each variation comes on either the leather strap or the metal bracelet. All-in-all, there are 12 iterations to the design. The chronograph versions are all available in a 42mm diameter but are still offered in the three dial colours and a leather band or metal bracelet option. All are crafted from stainless steel, feature a sapphire crystal glass top, a sealed caseback and a 100-meter water resistance.

One particularly appealing quality of the Longines Spirit watch collection is the attention-to-detail carried out in the design of each timepiece, especially when you consider their affordability. The Longines watches from the Spirit collection all share an identical case which, for the most part is brushed, yet additional polished sides along the lugs and on the bezel add a luxurious finish to each model. Since it features most of the archetypal features of a bonafide aviation tool, the Longines Spirit watch can be classified as a pilot’s watch. Luminous central hands and Arabic numeral hour markers promise legibility, while a robust case and easy-grip mushroom crown that screws downwards helps the watch to uphold its water resistance. The bezel of the Longines Spirit watch is quite muscular, and adding depth and character to the dial are diamond cut-outs to emphasize each hour location. As the central second hand with a red-tipped diamond graces the dial, it eclipses over the cut-out when it aligns with the hour location before passing onto the next. The Longines Spirit Chronograph watches, however, have much more going on. The Arabic numerals and hands have been treated with the same luminous material used in the three-handed models and the trio of chronograph counters are positioned in the traditional 3-6-9 layout. These sub-scales offer 30-minutes, 12-hours and running seconds respectively. In addition to this, there is a date aperture at 4:30, a central chronograph seconds hand and 5 stars accompanying the “Chronometer” lettering on the centre of the dial. This rating refers to Longines’ COSC-certified movements which equip the heart of each model from the Spirit collection, entitling the wearer to a five-year warranty as opposed to the standard two years.

The Longines Spirit collection runs on two reliable movements. The Longines Calibre L888.4 governs the three-handed date models, equipped with 21 jewels and a power reserve of 64 hours. Its performs at a rate of 25,200 vibrations per hour. The Longines Spirit Chronograph is powered by the Calibre L688.4 with a column-wheel that replaces the original ETAs cam-lever device. A silicone hairspring and improved kinetic chain result in an overall better mechanical performance and a 60-hour power reserve.

The different dials, straps and case size options available within the Longines Spirit collection can be explored in more detail here at Jura Watches. Alternatively, you can discuss your interests with a member of our sales team on 01335 453453 or email us at help@jurawatches.co.uk.