First doesn’t always mean best, however, sometimes both accolades unite. Continuing its penchant for reviving heritage pieces, Longines has revisited its seminal flyback function almost a century after its first use. In 1925, heritage Swiss watch manufacturer Longines produced its first models with a flyback function, going on to file a patent for this a decade later. The flyback function is valued by pilots for its ability to time different flight stages — the press of a pusher instantly restarts timing from zero, with a single press enabling three operations (stop, reset, and restart). In contrast, conventional chronographs require the stop and reset functions to be activated before restarting the timing function.
You’ll also enjoy:
Longines Returns To The Skies With A Reimagined Take On The 1935 Pilot Majetek
Go Small Or Go Home; H. Moser & Cie. Has Dropped Two 40mm Arctic Blue Pioneer Watches
Seiko Has Released A Trio Of Weekend-Proof GMT Dive Watches
Over the decades, Longines has graced the wrists of many a pioneer. Most notably, American officer and explorer Richard Byrd; the first person to fly over the South Pole. Equipped with a solar compass and Longines instruments, Byrd succeeded in his mission, traversing 1290km over 19 perilous hours.
Emblematic of this heritage, the new Longines Spirit Flyback incorporates contemporary technology in the form of a new in-house calibre. Resistant to magnetism and equipped with a silicone balance spring, the movement comes with a power reserve of 68 hours and is certified as a chronometer by COSC (Contrôle Officiel Suisse des Chronomètres). The movement is visible through the exhibition caseback and features a personalised weight engraved with the globe representative of the Longines Spirit collection.
Bridging the gap between old and new, the Longines Spirit Flyback takes on a refined approach to aesthetics. A combination of satin, matte, and polished finishes add depth to the 42mm stainless steel case, while the bidirectional bezel takes shape in coloured ceramic with luminescent markers. Available with a blue or black sunray dial, the Longines Spirit Flyback features bronze-shaded hands and Arabic numerals coated in Super-LumiNova for legibility.
The timepiece is presented on either a stainless steel bracelet or a brown leather or blue fabric strap, each with a folding clasp fitted with a new micro-adjustment system to ensure the perfect fit. To emulate the rugged explorer aesthetic, there’s also a beige NATO strap available.
Words by AR Staff
