In 1925, Longines pioneered the flyback chronograph, revolutionising how pilots of the period navigated their journeys. A chronograph that could be reset with a single gesture meant less time spent getting the hands back to zero, greatly reducing the margin of error incurred in measuring different legs of a flight.
Now, nearly a century later, Longines has launched the Spirit Flyback Titanium, taking this cornerstone of the brand’s heritage and updating it for the bold-spirited adventurers of today. Clad in dark grey titanium, the piece is an updated version of the steel Spirit Flyback, first released in 2022.
The Spirit collection as a whole was launched in 2020, drawing inspiration from the renowned voyagers whose wrists Longines timepieces have adorned over the past two centuries — think Amelia Earhart, Howard Hughes and Paul-Emile Victor, all of whom donned pieces from the brand. Notably, American aviator Richard Byrd completed the world’s first flight over the South Pole in 1929 wearing a Longines flyback watch.
Similar to the steel versions, the Spirit Flyback Titanium has a 42mm-wide case (49.5mm lug to lug) with a thickness of 17mm; both also rely on the calibre L791.4, a movement by ETA made exclusively for Longines. Distinguishing the new model is its lightness, which comes from the titanium build, so it stays a comfortable piece on the wrist despite its imposing measurements.
Longines certainly hasn’t compromised on materials in this watch, opting for grade 5 titanium here instead of the other class, grade 2. Grade 5 titanium is harder, thanks to the incorporation of 6% aluminium and 4% vanadium. Besides being about 40% lighter than steel, titanium is also less heat-conductive which is especially advantageous in Singapore’s hot climate.
The Spirit Flyback Titanium’s sunray dial, rendered in dark anthracite, complements the titanium’s darker tone. Flashes of red — seen on the seconds hand and model name on the dial — further the sporty vibe brought by the satin-polished metal. The bidirectional rotating bezel, meanwhile, has a scratch-resistant ceramic insert that tonally matches the dial.
Adding a subtle luxe shine and contrast to the otherwise matte surface are the gilt gold details, seen on the markers, sub-dial and flange outlines, stars, Longines’ iconic winged hourglass logo, numerals and hands. The latter two and the diamond-shaped hour markers are coated with Super-LumiNova for solid legibility in all environments.
Also on the dial are a small seconds sub-dial at 9 o’clock and a 30-minute counter at 3 o’clock. This clean bi-compax layout, which notably leaves out a date window, keeps the watch symmetrical. The crown is flanked by two similarly polished pushers at 2 o’clock and 4 o’clock, and screws in to keep the piece water-resistant up to 100 metres.
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Further supporting that water resistance is the case back, which is held in by six screws. A transparent sapphire in the centre reveals the movement inside the Spirit Flyback Titanium. In addition to the function that gives the watch its name, the calibre L791.4 features a COSC-certified chronometer, column wheel, anti-magnetic silicon balance spring, 4Hz frequency and 68-hour power reserve. The oscillating weight is engraved with the Longines logo, a globe representing the Spirit line, and the model name.
The Spirit Flyback Titanium has two strap options: a titanium bracelet (reference 3.821.1.53.6) and a black-and-grey NATO strap with a matching titanium tongue buckle (reference 3.821.1.53.2).
The titanium version has a double-safety folding clasp, a push-piece opening mechanism, and an interchangeability system that makes switching a breeze. The Nato version’s two-toned nylon is surprisingly comfortable on the wrist and adds an understated, rugged texture to the watch.
Taken together, the Spirit Flyback Titanium is certainly one for the books. It draws from its heritage inspiration and updates it for the 21st century with a sporty yet sleek aesthetic that balances Longines’ technical mastery with its keen eye for elegance.
