Longines Spirit Watch Collection Overview

Cookies · 2021-02-11T23:33:27Z

Discover why the Longines Spirit captivated collector Cookies. Explore its finishing, dial details, and how it compares to IWC, Zenith, and Rolex Air-King.

Cookies' initial skepticism about the Longines Spirit, given the crowded aviator watch market, quickly transformed into admiration upon experiencing the watch firsthand. His detailed observations highlight the tactile and visual elements that distinguish this piece, offering a valuable perspective for collectors considering a modern pilot-style watch. This article delves into the specific design choices and finishing details that captivated Cookies, providing insights into why the Longines Spirit stands out.

This piece was released a few months ago, and it caught my attention slowly. I wasn’t immediately drawn to it, because of the crowded market for aviator-styled watches.

Today, I went to the AD to collect my Tudor bracelet, and curiosity got the better of me.

When I saw the sandwiched markers, and the lovely lume, it got my heart rate raised. And when I felt the finishing of the case, and lovely sunburst reflections on the blue dial, I got hooked.

The dial is deep and detailed. Sunken markers filled with lume line the minute markers. The crown is a screw-down onion-shaped crown, which is pleasing to use.

The lume really caught my attention. The design is highly legible at a quick glance.

Key Points from the Discussion

The author considered several pilot-style alternatives before settling on the Longines Spirit, including the Sarpaneva SUF pilot watch, IWC series, Zenith pilot series, and the Rolex Air-King, each with specific reasons for exclusion such as availability, perceived value, bulkiness, or existing ownership.
The Longines Spirit's finishing is noted as superior to older Longines stock, such as the military 1938 model, and even surpasses the finishing on the Longines Legend Diver (LLD), suggesting an improvement in the brand's quality at a similar price point.
The author also considered the Longines Very High Precision (V.H.P.) quartz piece, praising its advanced quartz technology, which is considered to rival the Citizen Chronomaster, and its smartphone synchronization feature.
Another collector acquired a Longines Conquest V.H.P. GMT with a modern wave dial made of Zirconium (ZrO2), noting the similar dial aesthetics to the Spirit and expressing interest in the Spirit's blue leather strap for their Conquest.
The discussion touches upon the appeal of the Longines Legend Diver in bronze and green, with the author expressing interest but noting wrist size as a potential constraint for larger models like the SLC.
The author mentions inheriting an Omega Seamaster 300 from their father, which requires restoration, indicating a personal connection to vintage pieces and a gap in their current collection.

The Discussion

amanico

Feb 11, 2021

Very happy for you, my friend. Enjoy.

Feb 11, 2021

Thanks my long time mentor

Before I got this, a few other models came to my mind: 1) Sarpaneva SUF pilot watch Could not order this easily and never got the chance to see it in real life, so I skipped. 2) IWC series I tried the IWC pieces many times and almost got a titanium piece, but the strap was too long at the AD, and they had to re-order a new strap. My friend stopped me, saying it was overpriced for it’s specifications. It’s still on my mind. Zenith pilots series Very beautiful but it is too bulky for work use. It

amanico

Feb 12, 2021

The Air King is the King, here. ;)

Feb 12, 2021

Yes it is

I really like it. Thanks for recommending this piece. It is definitely a future classic.

George Gently

Feb 11, 2021

Congratulations 🍻

What a splendid dial. Regards, George

Feb 11, 2021

Here is 1 more shot

Thanks George=D

Key Points from the Discussion

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