Longines Spirit Pilot COSC automatic black dial leather strap 39 mm

Aviation Heritage and the Renewal of the Spirit Pilot

From the early decades of the 20th century, Longines played a crucial role in the conquest of the skies. As aviation was still in its infancy, the Saint-Imier-based Maison established itself as a trusted partner for pilots and explorers. Its onboard instruments and wrist chronographs accompanied pioneers through their challenges: transatlantic crossings, distance records, and scientific expeditions.

Among the legendary figures equipped by Longines were Amelia Earhart, the first woman to fly solo across the Atlantic in 1932, and Howard Hughes, renowned for his record-breaking round-the-world flight in 1938. These achievements cemented a lasting reputation: that of a brand capable of producing precise, reliable, and robust navigation instruments, built to withstand extreme environments.

The Spirit collection, launched in 2020, was born of this heritage: it pays tribute to the pioneers of the skies and exploration who helped shape Longines’ image. It conveys the spirit of adventure in a contemporary watchmaking language, blending cockpit-instrument-inspired design with modern technologies.

In 2025, Longines unveils a new generation of the Spirit Pilot, marking a return to the very essence of the pilot’s tool watch. Several key updates reinforce its identity:

• A 39 mm stainless-steel case, now more compact and ergonomic, offering optimal comfort for daily wear as well as for travel.
• A matte black dial with a cleaner aesthetic, stripped of the date window and the iconic five stars of earlier Spirit models, to emphasize legibility and functionality.
• Applied Arabic numerals and gold-toned hands enhanced with Super-LumiNova®, evoking the vintage style of aviation instruments while ensuring clear readability day or night.
• A robust construction built for adventure: domed sapphire crystal with double-sided anti-reflective coating, screw-down caseback, and water resistance up to 10 bar (100 m).

This new generation preserves the spirit of the Longines watches worn by pilots in the 1920s and 1930s while meeting contemporary demands for precision, comfort, and versatility.

By combining the historic legacy of aviation pioneers with a modernized, ergonomic design, the Spirit Pilot 2025 embodies the Longines DNA more than ever: a precise, legible, and reliable tool watch, designed to accompany the explorers of yesterday and today.

A Vintage Aesthetic Designed for Today

The Spirit Pilot L3.809.4.53.2 captivates with its vintage elegance, recalling the tool watches worn by pilots in the 1920s and 1930s.
Its 39 mm stainless-steel case retains the new ergonomic design of the Spirit line, offering improved comfort and a harmonious fit on the wrist.

The matte black dial, deliberately pared back, highlights the applied Arabic numerals and gold-toned hands, all coated with Super-LumiNova® for strong contrast and optimal visibility, staying true to the cockpit-instrument DNA.

Water-resistant to 100 m, the model is protected by a domed sapphire crystal with double-sided anti-reflective coating and a screw-down caseback — hallmarks of robustness and reliability.

The distinctive touch of this reference lies in its brown leather strap, which brings a warm, classic aesthetic. Fitted with a double-security folding clasp and micro-adjustment, it combines retro charm with modern comfort.
Thanks to the quick-change system, the leather strap can be easily swapped for a stainless-steel bracelet or a rubber strap to suit any occasion.

A Contemporary Movement for a Legendary Heritage

For more than a century, Longines has placed precision and reliability at the heart of its creations. Even during the era of great aerial expeditions, the brand supplied instruments capable of withstanding variations in pressure, shocks, and temperature changes — qualities essential for pilots.

Today, this technical heritage lives on in the automatic caliber L888.4, developed exclusively for Longines and powering all three Spirit Pilot 2025 references. This movement embodies the union of traditional Swiss watchmaking and contemporary innovation.

Among its key features:

• A silicon balance spring, a material that is lightweight, resistant to corrosion, and unaffected by temperature fluctuations or magnetic fields. Thanks to this technology, the Spirit Pilot offers magnetic resistance ten times greater than the ISO 764 standard — a valuable advantage for modern users exposed to electronic devices and magnetic environments.
• A comfortable 72-hour power reserve, allowing the watch to be set aside over the weekend without the need for resetting on Monday.
• COSC chronometer certification, guaranteeing strict precision of −4/+6 seconds per day, meeting professional standards and worthy of the navigation watches that built Longines’ reputation.

The L888.4 caliber symbolizes the brand’s ability to honor the pioneering spirit of its origins while meeting contemporary needs: a reliable, durable mechanism designed to accompany both modern-day explorers and discerning watch enthusiasts.