Introducing the New Longines Spirit Flyback
After having added the chronograph version to its Spirit line in 2020, a line that evokes the spirit of aviation and is guided by classic and elegant lines, the Longines now brings us the Spirit Flyback, a refined chronograph.
As its name implies, the new chronograph is equipped with the flyback function, which in a simple way means that it allows you to determine the time of successive laps immediately, just by pressing a single button. In traditional chronographs, the measurement of a new lap requires an operation of at least three acts, first pressing the Stop, followed by the Reset and finally activating the Start again.
Thus, the latest member of the Spirit family is dressed in a stainless steel case measuring 42mm in diameter, with a bidirectional ceramic insert bezel, screwed-on crown at three o’clock flanked by two push-buttons that control the chronograph function, sapphire glass front and now also on the case back through which it is possible to observe the engraved globe of the Spirit line, and finally, 100m of water resistance.
It is in the tone of the dial of the new Spirit Flyback that the two variants are distinguished, one in black and the other in blue whose tones extend to the bezel, and both featuring a sunbursh finish and gilt accents.
In addition to the tonalities, the dial remains true to the trace of the line, keeping the Arabic numerals applied and the pencil hands filled with Super-Luminova and which now also extends to the 60-minute scale of the bezel, unlike the chronograph version it comes with just two registers, a 30-minute counter at 3 o’clock and a running seconds counter at 9 o’clock, and with no date window.
Inside there are also novelties, debuting the new automatic movement, the In-house Caliber L791.4, a column-wheel chronograph with a silicon balance spring that makes it resistant to magnetism, which is COSC certified and which offers up to 68 hours of power reserve.
The chronograph is offered with an interchangeable stainless steel bracelet, brown leather strap, blue fabric strap or beige NATO strap, with prices ranging from €4,900 to €5,000 for the strap or bracelet options respectively.
Our Opinion
It is undoubtedly a good surprise and one that, in our opinion, adds a lot to the Spirit collection, increasing the number of options for the public.
Within the line, Spirit Zulu Time continues to be the star of the collection for us, but the new Flyback doesn’t seem to owe much to it.
The size continues to be the biggest issue for us, and if, for example, the 42mm seems exaggerated in the aforementioned Spirit Zulu, in the new Spirit Flyback it seems more understandable.
Read more here.
General Specifications:
Brand: Longines
Model: Spirit Flyback
Reference: L3.821.4.53.2 (black on a leather strap), L3.821.4.53.6 (black on a bracelet), L3.821.4.53.9 (black on a NATO strap), L3.821.4.93.2 (blue on a strap), L3.821.4.93.6 (blue on a bracelet)
Dial: Black, blue
Lume: Super-LumiNova
Case Material: Stainless steel
Case Dimensions: 42 mm Diameter, 17 mm thick
Crystal: Sapphire
Case Back: Sapphire
Water Resistance: 100 Meters
Strap: Brown leather strap, green NATO strap, blue fabric strap or stainless steel bracelet
Caliber: L791.4
Functions: Hours, minutes, small-seconds, flyback chronograph
Winding: Automatic
Frequency: 25,200 vph
Jewels: 28
Power Reserve: 68 Hours
Chronometer Certified: Yes, COSC
Price: € 4,900 (on a strap), € 5,000 (on a bracelet)
Limited Edition: No
