Meet the new Longines Pilot Majetek Watch
Friday - 24 February 2023
Before the opening of the 2023 Watches & Wonders event this year, Longines travels back in time to recall a special military pilot’s watch from its archives – the Longines Pilot Majetek watch, complete with new crown guards and a special engraved case side plaque, as well as a choice of three strap options.
If you often find yourself delving into Longines’ archives to research some of its most iconic pilot’s watches and explorer’s watches from a bygone era, you might jump at the chance to own the new Longines Pilot Majetek watch? The winged hourglass watchmaker has revisited a special timepiece from 1935 and used that as the core inspiration for a new Longines pilot’s watch, bearing some of the company’s cutting-edge technical features and harnessing its spirit of adventure.
The new Longines Pilot Majetek watch is based on the 1935 Majetek watch, short for “Majetek Vojenské Správy” which means “Property of the Military”. The wristwatch was made to order by Longines for the Czech Air Force, beginning production in the mid-1930s and continuing through to the middle of World War II. There have been several revivals of this watch over the years, yet this latest model brings to the wrist something that appeals to a newer generation of watch enthusiasts, albeit with that all-important vintage element. It carefully considers a reimagining of the core concept of the 1935 Majetek watch whilst building on its quality and reliability to create a new and intriguing presence on the wrist.
What’s new for the design of the 2023 version of the Longines Pilot Majetek watch?
The new Longines Pilot Majetek watch has revised proportions, a slightly curved cushion-shaped case and a set of rounded lugs that honour (although not identical) the original model whilst keeping with modern sensibilities. That said, any watch enthusiast today will enjoy a similar wearing experience with a large-wearing 43mm diameter as opposed to the 40mm diameter of the original, which for its time, was significantly large. The lug design is perhaps one of the more noticeable differences between the new and original versions. This Longines Pilot Majetek watch has short, broad lugs that are wedge-shaped as opposed to the original model’s long, sloping lugs. Aside from this, the watch remains true to form with its rounded-square profile and upper case chamfers that are beautifully polished.
The new Longines Pilot Majetek watch for 2023 also features new crown guards. These are broad and angular, creating a beefier aesthetic. The 9 o’clock side of the case features a special engraved case side plaque too. It pays homage to the original release of the 1935 Majetek watch. The coin-edge bezel has also been redesigned. Instead of rotating the bezel, the glass and the internal pointer as a whole, the new version now features a smooth inner bezel ring between the dial and the rotating bezel, enabling for the crystal to remain fixed. The back of the model’s 100-meter water-resistant case is beautifully brushed and features several engraved lines done in an understated way to keep the watch feeling as military as possible.
The most interesting feature of the new Majetek watch has to be its pointer feature – a design that was used in the original model that still serves as an alternative to an external rotating bezel. It was designed long before the modern dive bezel and instead adds a unique personality to the design – one that Longines has thankfully decided to keep. The unique rotating internal bezel enables you to track elapsed time on the wrist. The watch does this with a khaki-coloured lume-filled triangle pointer that glows richly in the dark.
The dial of the new Longines Pilot Majetek watch features a grained matte black colour adorned with straight sword-shaped hands that replace the popular cathedral-shaped hands of the original 1935 model. This transition occurred over the years of remakes, creating a more clear and more concise dial to read the time from quickly. Raised printed Arabic numerals are also present, as is a railroad minute track. The hour track is executed in old radium Super-LumiNova, whilst the southern hemisphere of the dial features a small second sub-dial just like the original.
The Longines L893.6 Calibre, which performs at the heart of the new Longines Pilot Majetek watch has considerable magnetic-resistant qualities thanks to features like a silicone balance spring. It also offers a useful 72-hour power reserve once fully wound and is chronometer-certified. Completing its military pilot watch style, the new Longines Majetek watch comes on three different band options. The reference L2.838.4.53.0 features a brown leather strap with beige contrast stitching, whilst the reference L2.838.4.53.2 is fitted on a dark green leather strap with beige stitching. The reference L2.838.4.53.8 features a khaki green NATO strap that compliments the old radium lume on the dial and the model’s overall retro styling. The NATO strap is made from recycled material and all three models enclose upon the wrist with a stainless steel buckle.
If you’d like more information on the new Longines Pilot Majetek watch, you can view the models here, or call and speak to a member of our Jura Watches sales team today on 01335 453453
