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I lately went hands-on with the Longines Spirit three-hand watch, one among two within the inaugural releases for this new pilot’s watch assortment from the model. Right here, I’m going hands-on with the extra difficult sibling with a chronograph and its personal design touches. The Spirit Chronograph is one other preferrred instance of what Longines does finest — verify off extra bins than simply about anybody else whereas providing critical worth. You may (like many, many others) do loads worse than a good-looking and well-finished COSC-certified chronometer with a column-wheel chronograph at only a hair over $3,000. There are some first rate chronographs on the market for that value however, once more, not straightforward to search out one which checks all these bins.
Similar to the three-hander Spirit I lined, the Spirit Chronograph seen right here is the blue-dial model, although it additionally is available in white and black. The Spirit is “vintage-inspired,” however I see this watch as a extra modern and mainstream choice within the Longines chronograph catalog, whereas one thing just like the Avigation BigEye clearly leans all the way in which in that course. Whereas I really like the BigEye, I don’t love its 30M of water resistance, particularly when in comparison with the Spirit Chronograph’s 100M.
The case right here measures 42mm-wide and a considerable 15mm-thick, so anybody looking for a smaller-wearing chronograph ought to look elsewhere. With the chronograph pushers and the pusher at 10 o’clock for fast date-change, Longines was clearly aiming for actual wrist presence, and it actually succeeded at that. I do additionally suppose the design staff at Longines wished to ensure the Spirit Chronograph has its personal character and identification, well avoiding mixing in too simply with each different chrono on the market. The additional pusher and people 5 stars on the dial instantly let you understand that it is a Spirit Chronograph, regardless that it’s the inaugural mannequin. Good on Longines.
One be aware in regards to the pusher at 10 o’clock: It’s screw-down to keep away from any accidents. It’s easy sufficient to make use of; every push advances the date ahead. Truthfully, it’s fairly useful to have round if this isn’t your on a regular basis put on. Contemplating the 100M water resistance and total toughness of the case construct, I can see this being a fantastic weekend watch in addition to a fairly stable decide for a primary chronograph.
The dial shares lots of the identical visible components because the three-hander however with much more occurring. The five-star emblem borrowed from the classic Admiral assortment is moved up from 6 o’clock, making a full stack with Longines wings emblem, “Chronometer” textual content beneath that, and the 5 stars beneath that. I don’t thoughts it, however I do know there are individuals who get a bit triggered by that type of design component. What does irk me a bit is the date window. Whereas I really like a date window at 4:30, the 4 and 5 hour numerals surrounding it make me wish to go up for air. It’s just a bit too cramped for me.
That mentioned, the lumed utilized numerals and diamond indices are actually high-quality, and the refined guilloché work on the chronograph subdials (operating seconds, 12-hour, and 30-minute) add a pleasant little bit of visible polish in addition to some texture to the dial. The lumed hour and minute fingers are good and lengthy, simply as on the three-hander, and legibility leaves nothing to be desired. The mannequin seen right here has radial brushing and a sunburst navy blue dial, although the opposite two have fairly distinctive identities of their very own. The black-dial mannequin is extra matte, whereas the white dial has a granular end. They every actually do appear to have distinct personalities, slightly than copy/paste variants with colours switched out.
Turning the watch round reveals the enclosed metal caseback with the Longines wings emblem engraved. I’ve mentioned it earlier than and can say it once more: If the motion isn’t one thing actually value admiring, spare the exhibition caseback/value of motion ending and go the financial savings right down to the patron. The motion right here is the COSC-certified L688.4 caliber, which is an ETA-based automated column wheel chronograph with silicon hairspring. It operates at 28,800 vph and has a 64-hour energy reserve. It’s a stable motion that’s the results of Longines being underneath the Swatch Group and all of the assets and advantages that gives.
Although the Spirit Chronograph I wore got here on the matching blue calfskin leather-based strap, it is usually obtainable on a metal bracelet, and each have the identical value of $3,100. You possibly can study extra at longines.com.
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