Many of the world's greatest watches are distinguished by their simplicity - often these are models that display only the time or time and date.
In the modern era, as technology becomes increasingly complex, many value simplicity as a way to escape technological and mechanical overload. A simple watch layout allows the watchmaker or designer to focus on the most important aspects, such as optimal sizes and proportions, as well as less obvious but equally significant details like the choice of color palette, case and lug curves, dial textures, and hand styles.
Today we will look at a relatively new model from Longines - the Spirit Pilot. This is a three-hand version, reference L3.809.4.53.2, equipped with a brown leather strap. You may be familiar with their Flyback model, which we reviewed in December. This model is a simplified version of the Flyback watch, intended solely for timekeeping. If you found the Flyback too complex, bulky, or expensive, this three-hand version might be the perfect choice for you.
Compact and Solid Case
About 90% of the impression of a watch is formed in the first 5 minutes of use, with the remaining 10% emerging over weeks, months, and years. The first thing that immediately caught my attention with the Spirit Pilot is the impressive build quality and the solidity of the case. For a watch on a leather strap, they feel solid and stable when just resting in the palm. All details are meticulously crafted: the crown screws down, the case back is made of solid steel, and there are no extraneous sounds or vibrations from the movement rotor unless you press the watch directly to your ear.
Combined with the high level of steel finishing, the case looks like a fully realized product, clearly standing out against microbrands and small watch manufacturers in the experimental stage. These watches are the result of years of work by a brand with almost two centuries of history.
Dial Design and Wearing Comfort
One of the key parameters of pilot's watches, in addition to functionality, is dial legibility. This may seem like a cliché for collectors who usually focus on the mechanism or functions. However, poor dial legibility in pilot's watches can be a real problem when used in flight - this was especially relevant in the past when such watches were indeed used for navigation. Today, it is pleasant to have a watch with impeccable legibility, even if you're just sipping tea at Harrods or making a homemade espresso.
From the press photos and direct handling of the watch, it is clear that the Spirit Pilot dial is designed with readability as a priority. The gold applied markers with luminescent filling seem to stand out against the semi-gloss black dial, creating a three-dimensional effect. On vintage watches, such a dial was called a "gilt dial" - a "gold-plated" dial that acquired a characteristic patina over time. Here we see a factory interpretation of this style, which cannot be called artificial or "fake" in the sense that "fake" patina is usually criticized.
In addition to the impressive build quality and finish, the watch's strong point is its wearing comfort. The case diameter is an optimal 39 mm, complemented by short and elegantly curved lugs that follow the profile of the case. The crown screws down and is slightly enlarged - not a "big crown," but large enough for convenient screwing and unscrewing. Working with the crown, you feel density and reliability, and the horizontal knurling provides an excellent grip - no slipping or discomfort.
The case thickness is only 11.5 mm, which is surprising, considering Longines uses exclusively ETA movements, which are traditionally thicker. For comparison, the Flyback version has a thickness of 13.4 mm. The 1.9 mm difference on paper seems small, but in practice, it significantly affects comfort during daily wear - your wrist will thank you. Of course, these watches feature a sapphire crystal with double-sided anti-reflective coating, which is especially useful when shooting and in bright sunlight.
The price of 2750 USD fully justifies this level of equipment.
Movement and Development Prospects
It would be interesting if Longines ever introduced its own modern in-house caliber, perhaps as part of an exclusive or limited edition - I am sure collectors would appreciate it. For now, the brand continues to use ETA movements, but often heavily modified. In these watches, the basic ETA A31.L11 caliber has been reworked and renamed to L888.4. This is a reliable and COSC-certified movement but, unfortunately, predictable and without notable innovations.
Conclusion
While many admired the Flyback Spirit Pilot version, in my opinion, the true gem of the updated collection is this three-hand model. It is more elegant and comfortable for daily wear, maintaining the high craftsmanship quality found in the Flyback version, yet costing almost half as much.
The dial is easier to read at a glance, and the design delights with its simplicity, without forgetting stylish details - the sword-shaped hour and minute hands and the long, thin second hand. I also prefer the crown and polished steel bezel. An additional plus is the fewer moving parts both inside and out, giving the watch a sense of increased reliability and setting it apart from counterparts in the same price range.
As an interesting fact, I note that the photos for this review were taken with my new Leica D-Lux 8 camera using Amaran 200X S lighting.
