Longines Finally Figured It Out - The Spirit Pilot 39mm

Over the past 5 years, Longene has undergone a renaissance among the enthusiast crowd. Now, make no mistake, Longene has always been a major name in the industry, consistently ranking in the top 10 in sales. They've just more recently been on a tear with new collections that bridge the gap between tradition and modern capability. The Spirit collection is at the nucleus of the previously mentioned idea, housing pieces such as the mighty Zulu Time and the Spirit Three-Handers that have led the way. Bizulu Time changed the game when it was unveiled for the luxury GMT market. Whereas the other spirits were a little bit lower in terms of their ability to roll out the gate given the mix of sizes and certain styling decisions. Well, with this new 39 mm Spirits threehand model, I think Longene has finally figured out the formula for the package. So, Longene is one of the most historically essential brands of both the 19th and 20th centuries. The founder's watchmaking workshop dates all the way back to 1832 in the village of Santa emier. Being an early pioneer of industrializing the watch manufacturing techniques that would take over Switzerland, the brand can claim many triumphs, including its work in chronographs, high precision chronometers, dual time zone watches, and above all, its crucial contributions to the world of aviation. The brand's heritage and connection to the skies spans nearly a hundred years as Charles Lindberg and Amelia Heheart both relied on long gene time pieces for their record- setting flights with those early models serving as essential navigation tools. Other long gene innovations include the first flyback chronograph with dual independent pushers and the first engraved rotating bezel, both of which are still utilized throughout the entire watch industry. Today, the Spirit lineup brings aviation inspired touches to the 21st century. beginning in 2020 with the release of both time and date and chronograph models and the category busting Zulu time GMT's first launch in 2022. However, it's the new Spirit Pilot that boils the formula down to its essentials, making for a compelling go anywhere, do anything option that eliminates date or GMT complication in the process. This is a sophisticated take on a classic aviation tool watch. one that excels in all situations by offering refinement that allows it to be worn in more situations than strictly casual settings. Now, the first order of business is discussing the newly streamlined stainless steel case that we have here, which measures in at a very wearable 39 mm, allowing for a great fit over a wide range of wrist sizes along with a reasonable lug to lug distance of 47 mm. Now, this lugto lug measurement was a huge pain point for the early Spirit models at 40 mm as they would extend to nearly 50 mm for a 40mm watch. Although the 37 mm options gave some relief to the issues there, it didn't quite hit all the boxes as it still sized down the diameter to a point where some collectors wouldn't feel comfortable. The 39 here strikes a balance between these concepts. The slim down case height really allows the case to break free of the tool watch territory with a thickness of just 11.5 mm which for reference is 07 mm thinner than the 40mm time and date spirit. The finishing on these watches is better than many realize with fine brushing on top and along the sides of the case divided by the fulllength polish bevels along both edges. A bezel makes a smooth transition from the case to the crystal, showcasing two surface finishes, a polished slope, and a brushed top. The dome sapphire crystal lends a classic vintage look with excellent visibility, courtesy of anti-reflective treatment on both sides of the glass. The screw down crown is signed with the long gene winged hourglass logo and features a conicle base that flares up to a grippy rib texture providing a water resistance rating of 100 m. On the reverse, the Spirit Pilot opts for a solid screw down case back, which not only speaks to its nononsense Pilot's watch aesthetic, but it also has the advantage of a lower profile than a display back, aiding in the slimmer case height. Now, speaking of wearability, you have three options with the Spirit Pilot. You have two straps and a stainless steel bracelet. First is a brown leather that features a stainless folding deployment clasp, which offers a micro adjustment system on the fly. And you can actually adjust this without even having to take it off your wrist. It's pretty slick. When you're making those changes with the strap while on the wrist, you have around 5 mm of adjustment available to you. These also come with a sportier option of rubber that has a pronounced textile finish with the signed stainless steel pin buckle. Long still offers a quick exchange system for easy swaps. And given that this comes with a 20 mm lug width, you have plenty of options here. And then finally, the bracelet is probably the most versatile of choices, rendered in a vertically brushed three-length design that adds a touch of elegance from its subtle polish striping. Now, the links have a rounded oval profile for great comfort. And the double safety folding clasp is push button actuated and allows for around 5.5 mm of micro adjustment on the fly with the little trigger underneath. Another added feature compared to the originals from the Spirit line. The dial is where you'll find the most notable stylistic change from other references within the Spirit catalog, featuring a reserved aesthetic that will appeal to legions of fans. Now, the dial is aviation derived, though it doesn't feel like a rehash. Instead, it's a tasteful spin on a tried andrue recipe. The matte black finish keeps things clean with a tasteful guild detailing along the minute track, which is a step up from the central dial, featuring a polished ring that sets the perimeter. Loom diamonds mark the hours just within, followed by the applied guilt Arabic indices, which are also filled with super luminoa for decent nighttime visibility. The guilt pencil hour and minute hands suit the look, as does the diamond tip second hand that features the sword counterwe found elsewhere in the Spirit catalog. And naturally, all three of the hands are loom befitting of a tool adjacent watch. Additionally, the date window found in other Spirit references is nowhere to be found here. A significant plus for fans of symmetry as it does significantly reduce any visual interruption. Now, speaking of that, in similar fashion, the Dow text has been minimized with the printed long word mark and applied wing hourglass below 12 and the chronometer and officially certified printed in guilt above six. However, the most significant visual cue that this is a watch that prioritizes balance above all else is the absence of the five stars typically found on other Spirit models. That said, I know others did find issue with it. So, this is likely a case of a welcome addition by subtraction. So, Longene has the distinct advantage of the ETA movement manufacturer under the Swash Group's corporate umbrella and with that the ability to have a caliber tailored to its needs. Line sits in a lovely spot within the brand hierarchy of the group, positioned just below Omega and above other more attainable options from the group. Now, this gives them the ability to get proprietary movements that others within the swatch group can't obtain. Yes, they are utilizing ETA parts. However, assembly is still done in Santiier by the brand, a process that I was actually able to see firsthand when I visited their museum and workshop a few years ago. The LE8.4 4 found within the Spirit Pilot is a modified no date version of the ETA A31.L11 which shares some derived attributes with the form of the 2892- A2. Although it undergoes some notable modifications along with the omission of a date complication, the LE8.4 4 runs at 3.5 hertz or 25,200 vibrations per hour, which helps extend the power reserve to 72 hours in total while maintaining a fairly smooth secondhand sweep with seven beats per second. The movement is chronometer certified by COSC which positions it well among its Swissbased competitors with an accuracy of minus4 to plus 6 seconds per day being tested across five different positions. Other noteworthy features include both hacking and hand winding. You have 21 jewels birectional automatic winding from a ball bearing rotor. You have a nivash shock protection system and importantly a solissium balance ring. Now these steps towards antimagnetic function help provide 10 times the resistance to magnetic fields and the ISO 764 standard calls for. Now finishing is competent and attractive if industrial with both machine page and striping on the engraved rotor. As stated before, it remains hidden beneath the closed case back so only your watch maker will be able to enjoy it. So, as mentioned at the beginning of this video, I have really been a fan of the direction that Lineen has taken in the past 5 years. And really, what it comes down to is product first. Product has been the main reason why Longine has improved so much amongst enthusiasts. They always had that passive type of buyer, somebody that was just stopping in and wanted a seller watch for the money. But I think one area that they needed to focus a bit more on was catering to those collectors that understand Long's past. I don't think the vision of the brand was completely lost. I think they were just trying to cast a wider net than maybe they should have at certain points. Uh they're a brand that is in the top 10 of Swiss watches sold. So it does make sense for them to think outside of the collector circle. Uh but you guys know who I speak to. You know who I am and I'm a watch collector. So to see Longine create products like this, I think is a great change. In the past five years, in unison with that though, you've seen also this shift in the $2 to $5,000 price segment. Just five years ago, you could get a Rolex watch at retail for for an Oyster Perpetual around the top end of that segment where now they've completely abandoned that. No question about that. But even brands like Omega, Diver 300 is more in the 6,000 plus range now. Uh Brightling has basically abandoned the sub $5,000 tier apart from the endurance pros. Same with IWC. Grand Seikko is also starting to edge above this as well with some of their 9S6 series and some of the entry-level spring drive models starting beyond that with only 9F really existing in this segment. All of this to say is that Longene has been able to capitalize on a completely changing marketplace when it comes to this $2 to $5,000 range. The main competitors right now are most likely Tutor being the number one and so many people look at them for their many dive watches in the Black Bay collection and a lot more. And they're absolutely on a roll with what they've been able to do in the past 5 to 10 years and gaining market share here. Tag Hoyer is also here, but they have kind of a mixed bag in terms of what they position with their product mix at this price point. Maybe not as compelling for value for dollar, but really nice designs. And then you have independent brands like Zen and Orus also in the mix. All of this to say that Lineen has a unique opportunity to really continue to corner a market here where they can be one of the top two amongst enthusiasts for producing some amazing designs and having the history to their back to allow them to continue to thrive here. You look at the Spirit collection and when I think about some competition for this watch, I think one area that I look is the Tudtor Ranger. The Tudtor Ranger is a different appeal. It doesn't have as much aviation theme. It's more of a field explorer style watch. But when you look at those two watches side by side, if you're just asking the question of finishing, I think the Longene absolutely tops it in many ways. I mean, the dial is way more visually interesting. The case is better finished. Uh there there's a lot more to the table that this Spirit is bringing forth. The number one competition though and as you've seen some shifts in pricing in the last 6 months to a year especially the Conquest from Long is probably the number one competition that faces this Spirit model. If you put them side by side you have more dial colors with the Conquest. It is significantly cheaper, almost $1,000 cheaper when you look at it on a bracelet. Uh you also are going to get a comparable movement with 70 hours plus of power reserve. Really what you're paying for here is some up finishing, the COSC certification, and also some better loom in the process there with also a better bracelet to go along with it with that micro adjustment. But when you look at this comparison though, if you just remove price, which very rarely can we actually really think about that as watch collectors and just humans in general, I do think the Spirit is just a better watch than the Conquest. It has a bit more character. Uh when I speak of character, it has more character. what traditional long gene was all about. Uh you have the COSC certification and chronometer certifications. There's a bit of marketing that goes along with that. All of these movements are going to be fairly accurate from Long. It just gives you that extra check of the box to know that it was certified by a third party. But really what I like about this watch is it's just this great position of robustness. And now at $3,000, the Tutor Ranger is above it. Uh yes, you have some other competition from Longene. have something from Orus like the big crown pointer date, but that's a bit of a different proposition. If you want something that is going to have this middle ground of refinement while also appealing to the looks of tool watches and aviation themes of years prior from a brand that is as storied as any. I would only put maybe Brightling uh Rolex maybe uh but probably not. It's probably IWC and Brightling as the only leaders ahead of Longene and his contributions to aviation. Then you start to realize that this watch is now in 2025 pretty well positioned. I wish this design style at 39 mm and these proportions came a little bit earlier. I think this watch would be even more successful a couple years ago, but even in 2025 makes a ton of sense. And I think Longene has really nailed it and finally perfected the formula for the Spirit models. But all right guys, that is my take here looking at this long spirit. Really enjoyed my time with this watch. When I saw 39 mm, I was intrigued. It was about time that they came out with something that had the proportions of the 37 mm with the updated lug design and then also were able to create a bit more diameter to accommodate more wrist. But what is your take on this watch? Do you like it? Do you not like it? Leave some comments down below. If you enjoyed this video as well, please give it a thumbs up, subscribe, hit the bell icon. Really do appreciate that. Around 70% of the people that watch this channel are not subscribed. So, if you guys could give me a subscription, really appreciate that. Uh, I would appreciate it. but also YouTube appreciates that. Uh really allows our videos to be seen by more people. So if you do commonly find yourself on this channel, haven't subscribed yet, really would appreciate if you could help us out there. Also check out teddy.com. Full authorized dealer for over 35 brands. 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