Longines has, throughout its fabled history, balanced a spirit of innovation with reverence for its deep-rooted traditions; this year, the maison presents two exemplary offerings that reflect both the romantic ethos of adventure and the hard-nosed discipline of technical progress: the Ultra-Chron Classic and the new Spirit Pilot series. With each launch, Longines manages to distil decades of expertise into forms that not only echo the past but are undeniably poised for the present, illustrating an horological journey that is as much about the pursuit of precision as it is about the artistry of timekeeping.
Examining the dials of these remarkable watches reveals the exercise of restraint and a play on contrasts that is very much in the Longines idiom. The Ultra-Chron Classic celebrates its 1960s origins through a domed silver sunray dial whose surface dances with the light, punctuated by applied silver-polished indices and hands that maintain an authentic period character. A trapezoidal date window nestled at three o’clock is an affectionate nod to the original, rendered in vintage typography, while the rest of the dial composition exudes lucid elegance with an undercurrent of sportiness. The Spirit Pilot, meanwhile, opts for clarity above all, its matt black dial dispenses with superfluous elements in favour of bold, gold-coloured hands and applied Arabic numerals that radiate vintage aviation allure. For the Flyback, the visual language is one of cockpit instrumentation, with Super-LumiNova elements ensuring maximum legibility and a bidirectional bezel introducing a countdown timer, a subtle yet functional innovation.
Beneath these distinctive dials beat movements that encapsulate the maison’s technical prowess and relentless search for chronometric excellence. The Ultra-Chron Classic revives the epoch-defining high-frequency calibre L836.6, operating at 36,000 vibrations per hour and equipped with a silicon balance spring engineered for magnetic resistance that exceeds the ISO 764 standard tenfold. Such a tempo, at 5 Hz, guarantees not only improved positional stability under shock but an ability to maintain precision in the face of environmental adversity, all while delivering a highly respectable power reserve of up to 52 hours. Notably, the entire watch, rather than just its movement, bears chronometer certification from TIMELAB, subjected to tests in three positions and at three different temperatures in accordance with ISO 3159. Turning to the Spirit Pilot, the three-hander is powered by the L888.4 calibre, with a silicon balance spring and a formidable 72-hour power reserve; the Flyback variant houses the hand-wound L792.4, notable for its column wheel and integrated flyback chronograph architecture, offering 68 hours of endurance and exacting COSC chronometer standards. Both embody technological muscle veiled in the quiet elegance for which Longines is renowned.
Turning to their exteriors, the cases of both families are elegantly engineered for ergonomic appeal and functional robustness. The Longines Ultra-Chron Classic offers its distinctive round silhouette in finely finished stainless steel—available in both 37 mm and 40 mm sizes, with thickness kept impressively under 11 mm, which evokes the taut lines of the 1967 original yet feels refreshingly current. Practicality is quietly advanced by water resistance to 5 bar and a bracelet or leather strap, each detail finessed to enhance comfort and secure fit. In the Spirit Pilot, the svelte 39 mm steel case delivers a harmonious blend of modern form and aviation heritage. The Flyback iteration amplifies contemporary convenience with a 39.5 mm profile, measuring just 13.4 mm thick and featuring a transparent screw-down case back through which the movement can be admired. Both models provide versatility in bracelet or strap options, with micro-adjustments and polished finishing underscoring Longines’ commitment to wearability and refinement.
Ultimately, the 2025 Longines Ultra-Chron Classic and Spirit Pilot exemplify how a storied maison can honour its past whilst carving a progressive path forward. The Ultra-Chron Classic seduces with historical purity and technical bravura; the Spirit Pilot and its Flyback sibling recall the fevered imagination of early aviation, yet remain utterly relevant thanks to movement innovation, modern ergonomics and a commitment to legibility. Longines, once again, succeeds in creating not only watches, but living instruments that whisper of journeys past and adventures yet to come, a fitting tribute to those who measure time in moments, not minutes.
