Longines Spirit Chronograph and Time and Date - Vintage styling with a contemporary twist.

Some brands have a knack for retro styled timepieces but others, like Longines have an authentic heritage with which to back up their designs. While the new Longines Spirit Chronograph and Spirit Time and Date models stay sensitive to the company’s historical references, both pieces are powered by full-blooded and thoroughly modern mechanical COSC-certified calibres.

If you are in the market for a fine and dapper sports timer packed with all the requisite features required of a pilot’s watch, then the Longines Spirit Chronograph should pique your interest. Forming part of the Longines Heritage series, this model has handsome looks and the perfect ratio of price and quality.

The piece carries a 42mm stainless steel whose proportions are on the right side of chunky and which has been enhanced with brushed and polished finishes. The crown and pushers have enough presence to enable them functional while wearing gloves if the need arises, but not so robust as to take away from the nimble look of the piece.

Dial-side, the indications are laid out with readability in mind and here too, nothing is overdone and there is a balanced feel to the proportions of the counters, numerals and branding. Options for the dial finish are matte black, a silvery grained textured choice or my personal favourite the sunray blue example. Inside, the piece is powered by the automatic Calibre L688.4 derived from a modified workhorse ETA base, and which has a column-wheel chronograph arrangement. Certified for accuracy by the COSC, the movement runs at 28,800vph and packs in a silicon balance spring and enables a hefty power reserve of 60 hours.

Also new for 2020, the Longines Spirit Time and Date model exhibits crisp styling throughout and is perfect for daily wear if you prefer a less fussy dial arrangement.

The piece is available in two case sizes, 40mm or 42mm and as any watch buff will tell you, even such a diminutive proportion can often change the whole character of a watch. That said, at a glance this model, just like its chronograph brother, carries nigh on perfect proportions and is difficult to fault.

The piece is also available with matte black, silver grained or sunray blue dials, but picky choosers can also upgrade to a “Prestige Edition” for which you get three straps in the box instead of one. Powered by the COSC-certifed Calibre L888.4 which features a silicon balance spring, the piece runs at a more leisurely 25,200vph and is equipped with a power reserve of 64 hours.

The Longines Spirit Chronograph and Longines Spirit Time and Date models both feature solid, engraved case backs and come presented on leather straps or three link stainless steel bracelets. The “Prestige Edition” Time and Date model also comes with an additional NATO strap option.

· Fact File Longines Spirit Chronograph

MANUFACTURER: Longines
CASE: Stainless steel
SIZE: 42mm
DIAL: Matte black, silver grained or sunray blue options
MOVEMENT: Calibre L688.4 automatic, column-wheel chronograph, with COSC certification, silicon balance spring, 28,800vph
FUNCTIONS: Hours, minutes, small seconds, date, chronograph
POWER RESERVE: 60 hours
BRACELET/STRAP: Leather or steel bracelet
BUCKLE: Pin buckle for leather strap, folding clasp for bracelet
WATERPROOF RATING: 100m
PRICE CHF 2,900

Fact File Longines Spirit Time and Date

MANUFACTURER: Longines
CASE: Stainless steel
SIZE: ø 40mm or ø 42mm
DIAL: Matte black, silver grained or sunray blue options
MOVEMENT: Calibre L888.4 automatic with COSC certification, silicon balance spring, 25,200vph
FUNCTIONS: Hours, minutes, seconds, date
POWER RESERVE: 64 hours
BRACELET/STRAP: Leather or steel bracelet
BUCKLE: Pin buckle for leather strap, folding clasp for bracelet
WATERPROOF RATING: 100m
PRICE CHF 2,000 for 40mm: CHF 2,100 for 42mm: Prestige Edition CHF 2,700