Five years after its launch, the Spirit line which grew to include GMT’s and Chronographs has been finessed and fettled into this new Spirit Pilot. This refresh takes the already familiar design aesthetics and delivers a cleaner & leaner feel coupled with a number of subtle yet significant changes.
The Longines Spirit Pilot features a redesigned stainless steel 39 mm case with improved ergonomics and a refined aesthetic keeping the charm of the case profile and complementing brushed and polished surfaces. Rather than being secured by 6 screws the new caseback is screwed down into the case. Speaking of which, the case height has been reduced from 12.2mm to 11.5.
The clean matt black dial has done away with the 5 stars and replaces them with two lines of text: “Chronometer – Officially certified” along with the removal of the date window at 3. The Spirit Pilot is powered by the same Longines self-winding calibre L888.4, featuring a silicon balance-spring that provides magnetic resistance 10 times greater than the ISO 764 standard.
This is available on stainless steel bracelet featuring a double safety folding clasp with micro-adjustment, a brown leather strap on Longines deployant clasp which features an on the fly integrated micro adjustment, or a new textile-style green rubber strap with pin buckle.
CALIBRE
• Longines automatic calibre L888.4
• COSC Certified Chronometer
• Silicon balance-spring – resistant to magnetic fields (ISO 764)
• 11½ lines, 21 jewels, 25 200 vibrations per hour
• Power reserve: up to 72 hours
CASE
• Ø 39 mm; thickness 11.5 mm
• Domed sapphire crystal with multi-layer anti-reflective coating on both sides
• Screw-down crown
• Screw-down case back
• Distance between lugs: 20 mm
Water Resistance
• 100m / 10 bar
We first saw this watch earlier this year at an invitation only event held by Longines under embargo. Embodying the clean aesthetics from the titanium version but now in steel and at a size suitable for a broad range of wrist sizes this stood out as an immediate favourite of the event – along with the white 39mm legend diver also revealed at the same event. We only hope that like the legend diver Longines will also choose to release this is a white dialled variant.
With its 100m water resistance, simple yet classy aesthetics, ideal proportions and high-performing COSC movement this is a frankly stunning value proposition that could equally serve in both formal and more casual social settings alike – a perfect GADA (Go Anywhere Do Anything) watch.
The Longines Spirit Pilot is available now at www.longines.com from £2150
