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Continuing to purify the pilot watch aesthetic, Longines has expanded on the clean lines of the Spirit Pilot collection with new blue dial references.

Longines has built an exceptional reputation for itself in the modern watch world. Primary to its standing is an openness to consistency, maintaining a high standard of quality at a relatively accessible price point. In recent times, its prestige has increased on two fronts.

On one hand, it’s begun to modernise its standard references, such as the Conquest and HydroConquest lines. On the other, Longines has nodded towards its heritage to refresh unique complications like the Central Power Reserve and monopusher chronograph. But while these aspects are certainly great on their own, only a single collection truly walks the line between modern and heritage appeal. Serendipitously, it all comes back to the brand’s extensive aviation heritage with the Longines Spirit collection.

Long a favourite of veteran collectors and budding enthusiasts alike, it’s consistently defined itself as an elegant yet no-nonsense everyday watch for almost any scenario. But while the sporty edge it possesses still keeps it relevant in the watch world, fans of the brand have asked for a purer distillation of the pilot’s watch DNA.

Thus, in 2025 came the Spirit Pilot line, which presented in classic black and gilt befitting its heritage-inspired aesthetic. This year, they expand the line with a pair of new watches in a more modern dial tone.

Flyin’ High…

These two new watches, the Longines Spirit Pilot and Spirit Pilot Flyback, are ostensibly the exact same watch with a slight versatile twist. Since it’s been nearly a year to the day since the originals were released, allow me to give you a refresher.

Beginning with the three-hand Spirit Pilot, it’s sized up to a 39mm case diameter, with a 47.2mm lug-to-lug and an 11.5mm thickness. The chronograph reference, the Spirit Pilot Flyback, clocks in at a slightly larger 39.5mm case diameter, 47.4mm lug-to-lug, and 13.4mm thickness.

The fact that these watches wear so similarly to each other is an achievement in itself. The choice of whether to pick one over the other no longer relies entirely on which one wears better, but what functionality and look you’re wanting to go for.

The only major difference is that one’s a chronograph with a bidirectional bezel, and the other is a regular three-hand model. Interestingly, the Spirit Pilot Flyback also uses a cleaner countdown bezel instead of the count-up seen on other Spirit Flyback models.

Both watches come with one of two strap options. First is the steel bracelet, which includes a folding clasp and micro-adjustment system that ensures the perfect fit every time. Otherwise, there is also an interchangeable rubber strap available in a textured blue, terminating on a steel pin buckle with no micro-adjustment. I personally think that the three-hander looks much better on the strap than the chronograph, but whether you agree is entirely up to you.

I will say, though, that not including one of the brand’s various micro-adjustable clasp systems on the Spirit Pilot’s straps feels like a bit of a missed opportunity, but it’s nowhere near the end of the world. Either way, you’ll be getting a watch with 100m of water resistance that will certainly carry you through any occasion.

…In A Friendly Sky

But of course, the centrepiece of the new release isn’t about the case silhouette but the dial itself. Foregoing the older-looking black-and-gilt of the originals, this new pair of Spirit Pilots mixes things up with a matte blue finish instead. Exciting, I know, but it does provide a new option where one previously didn’t exist. What I do find interesting is how Longines is still able to play with depth in an otherwise tool-forward watch.

Perhaps the most obvious way in which they’ve done so is with the bold, applied Arabic numerals, a staple of the Spirit line since its 2020 introduction. But looking outwards to the periphery of each watch, the minute track is slightly raised, interrupted only by the triangular cut-outs that accommodate the lumed rhomboids on the lower level.

Bordered by a polished chamfer, the track lends the watch a certain sharpness, ultimately ensuring the dial doesn’t feel entirely flat. Satisfyingly, both lumed handsets also have a rhomboid on their second tip that perfectly aligns with each rhomboid on the dial.

Between the two, the only distinctive difference is the addition of the chronograph layout. The Flyback, naturally, has both a 60-second subdial and 30-minute register. These do end up cutting off several of the Arabic numerals, but they add another layer to the dial by being slightly sunken in. Finally, the minute track around the Spirit Pilot Flyback also accounts for every sixth of a second, in accordance with the watch’s chronograph seconds hand and beat rate.

Chronometer-Certified Copilot

Speaking of which, turning each watch around yields varied results. In the three-hand Spirit Pilot, you get nothing but a closed, brushed caseback. Somewhat unfortunate, considering it hides the automatic Cal. L888.4 from view. A long-serving veteran of both the Record and Spirit collections, the movement is Longines’ signature workhorse based on ETA’s famous 2892-A2 architecture.

It’s important to note, though, that the base movement’s official listing is ETA A31.L11, which is the ébauche (unfinished or raw) of the 2892-A2. Thus, Longines is able to more definitively modify and finish it on its own terms, with a 72-hour power reserve, the brand’s odd 3.5Hz (25,200VpH) beat rate, and COSC Chronometer certification for accuracy.

The Spirit Flyback, meanwhile, uses the Cal. L792.4, or a heavily modified ETA/Valjoux 7750 classified as the ETA A08.L11 ébauche. As opposed to the automatic, cam-and-lever-operated chronograph of the 7750, the Cal. L792.4 is a manual-wind with both a smoother column wheel and flyback functionality. This means the watch can still be reset while the chronograph is running, important for timing several sections of, say, a race or aerial navigation. In any case, it still possesses the same luxury-standard 4Hz (28,800VpH) beat rate, whilst getting a boosted power reserve from 42 to 68 hours.

Initial Thoughts

Though this watch is hardly a surprising release, blue always felt like the natural progression beyond the classic colours of the original Spirit Pilot duo. While some might feel disappointed about what is just a colour change rather than a whole new watch, I think Longines is doing the right thing.

By maintaining and updating its cleaner Spirit Pilot lineup, it’s shoring up the frontline of what is presented to the budding enthusiast. Watches like these help get them through the door where the black-and-gilt of last year didn’t, prompting them to explore other, perhaps more esoteric, models.

It’s not a monopusher chronograph or Central Power Reserve, but the new Spirit Pilot watches in matte blue aren’t supposed to be. Instead, they continue doing what Longines has always done best: effective, consistent mechanics, with a design that walks the line between old-world character and modern style.

References & Specifications

Australian Retail Price: $4,000 (Strap) / $4,550 (Bracelet)

Australian Retail Price: $8,000 (Strap) / $8,375 (Bracelet)

Availability (All): Available now, at Longines boutiques, authorised retailers, or online at Longines.com