With the LONGINES PILOT MAJETEK, launched last year, the winged hourglass brand marked the return of a pilot’s watch with an emblematic design. In 2024, the LONGINES PILOT MAJETEK PIONEER EDITION comes in dark grey and black in a Grade 5 titanium version, limited to 1,935 pieces and chronometer-certified by the COSC (Contrôle Officiel Suisse des Chronomètres). This watch follows in the footsteps of the Longines precision instruments worn by the greatest pioneers during their legendary exploits.
On 1 April 1935, Longines registered the Pilot Majetek model with the International Bureau of Industrial Property in Berne, Switzerland. Initially designed for aviators, this timepiece has gradually won over a wider public looking for a reliable, robust and precise watch. Almost 90 years later, in 2023, the brand resurrected this singular pilot’s watch, with completely revamped technical and ergonomic features.
This year, the collection has been extended with a special series in Grade 5 titanium, an alloy that is both lighter and stronger than steel. The Longines Pilot Majetek Pioneer Edition is limited to 1,935 pieces, in reference to the model’s year of birth. Faithful to its predecessors and asserting its original character, this tool-watch is distinguished by a fluted bidirectional bezel mounted on its cushion-shaped case.
At 9 o’clock, the exterior of the 43 mm Grade 5 titanium case is fitted with an engraved “1935” commemorative plaque, housing an innovative gear mechanism. It guarantees water-resistance up to 10 bar (100 m) of the external fluted rotating bezel system coupled to the internal luminescent mobile triangle marker, or Starting Time Indicator. The latter is positioned under the sapphire crystal, from which it is independent, and above the dial. On the historic 1935 model, the bezel and the glass fitted with the marker rotated as a single unit. On today’s model, the sapphire crystal is fixed and contributes to the water-resistance of the new case.
Combining bold design and cutting-edge technology, the Longines Pilot Majetek Pioneer Edition is powered by the exclusive Longines calibre L893.6. Equipped with a silicon balance spring and innovative components, this movement offers a resistance to magnetism that exceeds the requirements of the ISO 674 standard by a factor of more than ten, and has a power reserve of up to 72 hours. The entire watch is chronometer-certified by the COSC (Contrôle Officiel Suisse des Chronomètres), an independent testing body. This certification process subjects the finished watch – case and operating movement – to a trial period of 15 consecutive uninterrupted days. The entire watch is subjected to a series of operating tests in different positions at three different temperature levels to confirm its accuracy.
This new model has a matt black-grained dial. The hours are indicated by struck Arabic numerals treated with grey Super-LumiNova® with bluish luminescence and accentuated by a railway-style minute track. Baton hands skim over them, also coated in grey Super-LumiNova® with bluish luminescence. The oversized sub‑second dial, recessed in the dial at 6 o’clock, is a reminder, together with the fluted bezel, of the original functional character of this pilot’s watch.
The Longines Pilot Majetek Pioneer Edition comes with a black technical fabric strap. This limited series comes in a special Heritage box in the same colour.
LONGINES PILOT MAJETEK PIONEER EDITION Technical Specifications
Ref. L2.838.1.53.2 – 5.250,00 €
Movement
- Self-winding mechanical movement
- Exclusive Longines calibre L893.6
- Complete watch officially chronometer-certified by the COSC
- 11½ lines, 26 jewels, 25,200 vibrations per hour
- Magnetism-resistant (ISO 764), with silicon balance-spring
- Power reserve: up to 72 hours
- Funtions: Hours, minutes and small seconds at 6 o’clock
Case
- ⌀ 43 mm ; thickness 13.30 mm
- Cushion shape, Grade 5 titanium
- Sapphire glass with multi-layer anti-reflective coating on both sides
- Bidirectional rotating bezel with Starting Time Indicator
- Screw-in crown
- Case back engraved with “PIONEER EDITION / ONE OF 1935”
- Plaque engraved with the inscription “1935” at 9 o’clock
- Distance between lugs: 22 mm
- Water resistance: Up to 10 bar (100 metres)
Dial
- Matt grained black
- Raised indexes and Arabic numerals with Super-LumiNova® treatment
- with a bluish luminescence
- Hands: Grey, with Super-LumiNova® treatment with a bluish luminescence
Strap
- Black technical fabric, with Grade 5 titanium tongue buckle
Starting Time Indicator
Associated with aviation and its pioneers for over 100 years, Longines also invented the rotating bezel in the early 1920s. Some Longines pilot’s watches, such as the Pilot Majetek, are fitted with rotating bezels with a moving luminescent index, the Starting Time Indicator. Its function: to display the departure time of a mission and accurately measure the flight time between each change of course. Like the flyback complication, also invented by Longines, this innovation played a key role in the conquest of the skies in the early 20th century.
About our movements
Backed by centuries of watchmaking expertise, Longines has pioneered many technical advances and still displays an unfailing will to innovate. Its constant pursuit of excellence has led Longines to equip all its automatic timepieces with cutting-edge movements whose features include a silicon balance-spring. Silicon is not only lightweight and corrosion-resistant, but also unaffected by normal temperature fluctuations and magnetic fields. Its unique properties boost the watch’s precision and longevity and allow Longines to guarantee these models for 5 years.
About Longines
Longines has been based in Saint-Imier in Switzerland since 1832. Its watchmaking expertise reflects a strong devotion to tradition, elegance and performance. With many years of experience as a timekeeper for world championships in sport and as a partner of international sporting federations, Longines has forged solid and lasting links with the world of sport over the years. Known for the elegance of its timepieces, Longines is a member of the Swatch Group Ltd, the world’s leading manufacturer of horological products. The brand with the winged hourglass as its emblem has outlets in over 150 countries.