Steel-and-Gold and Gradient Dials for the Longines Spirit Flyback

Presented last year by Longines as the flagship model in its recent pilot-oriented collection, the Spirit Flyback paid tribute to an important function for the brand, the retour-en-vol chronograph. While the authorship of the flyback complication is a topic that is still discussed, the winged hourglass brand produced its first model equipped with a flyback function in 1925, then filed a patent which was registered on 16 June 1936. As the top of the range model in the Spirit collection, this large and higher-end chronograph now comes back in two warm and luxurious versions, mixing steel and gold, with green or brown tones. 

Just like the Spirit Zulu Time has to be seen as the bigger brother of the classic 3-hand models, the same could be said about the Spirit Flyback next to the classic automatic chronograph. A sportier take on the brand’s vision of a classic, highly precise pilot’s watch, this 42mm model features an external rotating bezel, something that the classic chronographs don’t have. Advanced materials inside and out, certifications, modern features and traditional mechanical solutions. Fully equipped, and now even more luxurious, with colourful dials and bezels.

First seen in classic steel versions with black or blue dials and bezels, the Longines Spirit Flyback comes back this year with steel-and-gold options. The base remains the same, with a large case of 42mm, an unmistakable height of 17mm, an undeniable wrist presence and a 100m water-resistance. What’s new here is the addition of yellow or rose gold on the bidirectional bezel, the screwed crown and the pushers. The gold alloy depends on the colour; 2N yellow gold is paired with green, 5N rose gold is paired with brown. These colours are found on the bezel’s ceramic insert, which retains the cool recessed squared minute markers and the lumed numerals, here in old-radium tone.

This no-date, two-counter Longines Spirit Flyback adds some fun on the dial too, with gradient green and brown options, paired with gold-toned applied Arabic numerals and hands, all filled with vintage-coloured Super-LumiNova. Not the most discreet colour schemes, but surely charming and characterful choices. Both models are available with green or brown leather straps to match the colour of the dial. Each has a double-security folding clasp with micro-adjustment system.

Inside the case, and visible through the back, is the calibre L791.4, a deeply modified Valjoux 7753 exclusive to Longines. It is now equipped with a column wheel, a flyback function, a silicon balance spring (with anti-magnetic properties), a 4Hz frequency and a comfortable 68-hour power reserve. The decoration includes perlage and blued elements, as well as the collection’s signature globe logo engraved on the rotor, now in yellow or rose gold tones. Finally, the movement is certified chronometer by the COSC.

Released as part of the permanent collection and now available, both new steel-and-gold versions of the Longines Spirit Flyback are priced at EUR 6,800. For more details, please visit www.longines.com.