Zach Blass
The Longines Spirit assortment has cemented itself as a go-to possibility for consumers in search of value-driven and sturdy every day wearers. The gathering has since grown, providing new supplies, colors, sizes, and issues. Up till this level, nevertheless, we had been restricted to time and date, normal chronograph, and GMT fashions. Longines has as soon as once more regarded to their wealthy heritage, notably with flyback chronographs, to current the brand new Longines Spirit Flyback.
Longines explains: “Longines really outfitted its first fashions with a flyback perform in 1925 and filed a patent for this on 12 June 1935. The patent went on to be registered on 16 June 1936: a world first. The actual benefit of flyback is that it provides pilots a sensible and quick manner of successively timing completely different flight levels, thus facilitating navigation.”
The case
The Longines Spirit Flyback, throughout all configurations, is cased in stainless-steel with a diameter of 42mm and a thickness of 17mm (about 3mm thicker than the Spirit Zulu Time GMT). The trade-off with the Spirit Flyback is that whereas it’s moderately beefy in thickness, the flyback chronograph is rated to a depth of 100 metres additional secured by its screw-down crown. That being stated, the pushers are usually not screw-down. So, positively don’t have interaction the pushers below water. Additionally, if the refined ergonomics of the 42mm Spirit Zulu Time GMT are any indication, the watch might carries a manageable lug-to-lug span.
Its case has a chic, vintage-inspired array of blended finishes, predominantly brushed, as is befitting of a instrument watch, however vintage-inspired in that it additionally carries polished bevels to the flanks and lugs of the case. Framing the dial is a bi-directional timing bezel, outfitted with a scratch-resistant ceramic insert that tonally matches the dial.
The dials
There are two color configurations at disposal, black and blue, every of which have a sunburst end that creates delicate textures of radiating strains and creates dynamic quadrants which is able to play below mild relying on the angle. The dials are in any other case an identical, every together with Longines branding at 12 o’clock, and “Flyback Chronometer” labelling with 5 stars at 6 o’clock. They every additionally make use of two counters at 3 and 9 o’clock, utilized Arabic hour numerals except for 3 and 9, and bronze accents for the arms and numerals.
Curiously, solely the primary handset, Arabics, and recessed diamond indices are crammed with SuperLuminova, so do you have to wish to see the operating seconds in darkness, and assuming you aren’t utilizing the chronograph perform whereas flying, you’ll have to interact the central chrono hand in sync with the operating seconds. Every counter has a concentric azurage texture that’s bordered with a sloped bronze ring – every of which helps heighten legibility and makes the counters simpler to discern. An analogous skinny bronze ring will be discovered on the outer border of the dial simply earlier than the hashed outer minutes observe.
The straps
The Longines Spirt Flyback is obtainable on each straps and case-matching bracelets. The bracelet follows the acquainted five-piece format, with three broader items richly brushed and two narrower middleman hyperlinks mirror polished, secured to the wrist through a triple-safety folding clasp. For the black dial configuration, the Longines Spirit Flyback could also be bought on a brown leather-based strap, beige NATO strap, or on the bracelet. The blue dial configuration, a minimum of on the level of buy, seems to be restricted to strictly a blue leather-based strap or the chrome steel bracelet. All the strap/bracelet choices embody quick-release tabs on their underside, which means you possibly can simply swap between them. With out figuring out the value of buying the bracelet individually, my advice could be to purchase the watch on the bracelet if doable as it’s simply US$100 costlier. Usually it’s cheaper to purchase straps individually, than to purchase the bracelet individually afterward.
The motion
Exhibited beneath the caseback is the Longines-exclusive automated flyback chronograph calibre L791.4. The L791.4 encompasses a column-wheel structure that removes the start-stutter cam-driven chronographs can have, providing a extra exact chronograph in addition to a extra nice participating expertise. The calibre boasts 68 hours of energy reserve, an anti-magnetic silicon steadiness spring, and COSC chronometer certification that ensures it leaves the manufacturing facility performing inside +6/-4 seconds per day.
The decision
Wanting on the watch head on, it has an attractively completed case and dial format. Its one Achilles heel is its moderately beefy 17mm case thickness. For these seeking to gown up this sportier watch, it will be exhausting to get away with sporting it with a extra tailor-made and tight-fitting sleeve. That being stated, its 100-metre depth ranking and weekend-proof, silicon escapement-equipped flyback chronograph calibre means this watch largely has extra benefits than disadvantages. Finally, if its thickness doesn’t deter you it’s good tech for good cash in my ebook.
Longines Spirit Flyback pricing and availability:
The Longines Spirit Flyback assortment is on the market now. Worth: ranging from A$7,100
Model
Longines
Mannequin
Spirit Flyback
Case Dimensions
42mm (D) x 17mm (T)
Case Materials
Chrome steel
Water Resistance
100m (screw-down crown)
Dial
Black or blue sunray dial
Crystal
Sapphire crystal and caseback
Bracelet/Strap
Brown leather-based or blue cloth strap with folding clasp and micro adjustment systemStainless metal bracelet with triple security folding clasp and push-piece opening mechanism,Beige NATO strap with buckle (L3.821.4.53.9)
Motion
Longines-exclusive automated calibre L791.4, based mostly on ETA A08.L11, silicon escapement, COSC-certified
Energy Reserve
68 hours
Features
Hours, minutes, operating seconds, flyback chronograph
Availability
Now
Worth
Ranging from A$7,100
