Earlier this year, Longines released a new Spirit collection, all featuring 42mm casing. Part of this Spirit collection from Longines is the new 42mm Automatic Chronometer Chronograph model. The Chronometer Chronograph models consist of three different beautiful dials that would cater to different personal tastes and style.
The Spirit collection was inspired by the winged-hourglass brand’s history, in which they accompanied pioneers as they conquered the sea, air and land. Using the brand’s heritage, a series of watches were created to honour the pioneers; the men and women who by a display of bravery and courage, have left their mark on the world, all the while encouraging the new generations to surpass them.
The Spirit collection brings together present-day aesthetic appeal with modern movements while referencing back to the glory days of aviation.
The Longines Spirit 42mm Automatic Chronometer Chronograph comes in three dial colour variants; sunray blue, grained silver and matte black. All three options feature a 42mm steel case, with the bezel essentially being integrated with the dial. The models come with large applied Arabic numerals filled with Superluminova. The hands are also quite beautifully designed to represent aeroplane propellor blades.
Reference: L3.820.4.93.0 
Reference: L3.820.4.53.6 
Reference: L3.820.4.73.6
The chronograph functions include 30 minute counter at 3 o’clock, 12 hour counter at 6 o’clock and constant seconds at 9 o’clock position. The chronograph seconds hand, along with the hands on the 30-minute and 12-hour counter have all been tipped in red. This adds to the different colours used throughout the dial, making it look very lively and aesthetically appealing. A date window is also added between 4 o’clock and 5 o’clock, which is a hit and miss depending on personal tastes. It’s useful to include the date function; however, the location of it can make the dial feel rather “busy”. The five stars shown on the dial is also supposed to signify Longines “improvement of quality and reliability of the movement”.
The different dial colours aren’t the only thing that sets these three watches apart, however. The standard choice of straps help distinguish each different model and have their sense of character. The beautiful sunray blue dial is matched with a blue leather strap. This definitely helps to nail home the overall blue appearance of the watch, and personally, my favourite pick from the collection.
The grained silver dial comes with a matching steel bracelet which works well to match the dial. The significant difference between the white and the other two colours is, of course, the contrast. However, the watch on steel bracelet certainly has its appeal.
The matte black dial comes with not a black, but rather brown leather strap. This gives the sense of travellers watch or more suited to say…pioneering? The brown surprisingly works well with the black dial to certainly give it that vintage-contemporary mixed look.
The engine behind these watches is the Longines calibre L688.4. Based on the ETA A08.L01, Longines has updated this movement to now have a silicon balance spring and chronometer certification.
The calibre L688.4 powers the regular hours and minutes, along with the chronometer functions and date function. The movement also allows for a separate date correction crown, located at the 10 o’clock position. Both crowns also screw-down, ensuring better closure for water resistance, which is rated to a depth of 100m. Ticking at 4hz, the Longines calibre L688.4 produces a power reserve of approximately 60 hours.
The latest Spirit chronograph collection by Longines combines historical references with modern design codes and movements to bring an aesthetically pleasing timepiece well suited for travel and everyday wear. Being presented in three colour choices with a variety of strap options, the Longines Spirit 42mm Automatic Chronometer Chronograph will be able to cater for different personal tastes.
