Introducing: The Longines Spirit Flyback In Steel And Gold, Green, And Brown
Since its introduction in 2020, the Longines Spirit collection has become very popular. That’s understandable due to its modern design and great finishing. It also helps that many different versions cater to anyone’s needs. In 2023, Longines added a Spirit Flyback alongside its regular Spirit Chronograph. Upon its release, the Spirit Flyback was available in stainless steel with a black or blue dial and matching bezel inserts. A black-dial/bezel version in titanium then debuted last October. Now the legendary Swiss brand is adding two steel and gold versions, with one featuring rose gold and brown and the other donning yellow gold and green.
Apart from the Longines Spirit Flyback and Chronograph, time-only and GMT versions are also available. The Spirit collection spans multiple sizes too. You can get a Longines Spirit as small as 37mm and as big as 42mm. The new Spirit Flyback in steel and gold only comes in a 42mm case, just like its steel and titanium counterparts. Last week, Longines also announced the Spirit Zulu Time in titanium alongside these two new versions of the Spirit Flyback. Let’s take a look.
The Longines Spirit Flyback in steel and gold
The 42mm case of these new two-tone versions is made of stainless steel. Between the circular brushing on top and the horizontal brushing on the side, there’s a sharply polished bevel. This high level of finishing gives the Longines Spirit its distinctive character. Depending on which version you choose, the bidirectional bezel is capped with either 18K rose or yellow gold. The screw-down crown and pump pushers, however, are solid rose or yellow gold, each with an inner steel tube, just like on the two-tone Spirit Zulu Time.
The rest of the dimensions are the same as those of the previous versions of the Spirit Flyback. The lugs span 49.5mm from tip to tip, and the watch measures 17mm thick, including the front and rear sapphire crystals. That’s quite thick indeed, but both Lex and RJ agree that the Spirit Flyback is still a very wearable watch.
Yellow gold and green or rose gold and brown
This yellow-gold-accented version of the Spirit Flyback comes with a dark green ceramic bezel insert and a green dial. The dial has a dégradé effect and becomes brighter and more yellowish toward the center. It matches the yellow gold diamond-cut numerals and hands nicely. The two sub-dials each feature an azurage effect and a yellow gold polished frame. A similar frame also surrounds the flanged chapter ring, which features indentations for the hour markers. Along with the “Longines,” “automatic,” “flyback,” and “chronometer” printing, you’ll find an applied winged-hourglass logo at 12 and the Spirit’s signature five-star emblem at 6 o’clock.
The rose-gold-accented version of the Spirit Flyback has a dark brown ceramic bezel insert and a brown dial. This dial, too, has a dégradé effect, going from dark brown to light brown or even pinkish. Just as with the yellow gold and green version, the colors complement the rose gold hardware very well. Each version comes on a matching green or brown leather strap with Longines’s nicely executed folding clasp, which allows on-the-fly micro-adjustment.
A chronometer-certified flyback chronograph
Another nice detail is the winding rotor, which matches each version’s golden elements and is visible through the exhibition case back. In case you’re unaware, Longines introduced the first wristwatch with a flyback movement in 1925. Therefore, it makes total sense to offer a flyback chronograph in the successful Spirit collection. ETA makes the L791.4 movement exclusively for Longines.
Based on the Valjoux 7753, this caliber features 28 jewels, runs at a 28,800vph frequency, and holds a power reserve of 68 hours. The chronograph complication actuates through a column wheel and, of course, features a flyback function for when you need to start timing a new event instantly. The column wheel and the movement screws are all blued, while the bridges display a perlage finish. In addition, the silicon balance spring makes the movement more resistant to magnetic fields. Finally, once encased, the movement is certified as a chronometer by COSC, meaning it should run between -4 and +6 seconds a day.
Final thoughts
We were big fans of the steel and gold Longines Spirit Zulu Time because of its attractive design. The same is very true for these new versions of the Spirit Flyback. The green and brown hues go very well with the different colors of gold. The finishing is impressive, and so are the specs. Did I mention that the Spirit Flyback is water resistant to a depth of 100 meters? That combined with the chronometer certification, the ample power reserve, and the five-year warranty make the Longines Spirit Flyback a great package.
Yes, the watch is quite thick, especially if you wear it on a NATO strap, which adds extra bulk. But as long as you wear it on the included leather strap, you should be fine. I’m usually not the biggest fan of gold-tone accents and dégradé dials, but in this combination, I must say they look quite attractive. At €6,850, the two-tone Longines Spirit Flyback seems fairly priced. For more information, check out the official Longines website.
Let me know in the comments below what you think of the new Longines Spirit Flyback in steel and gold.
