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Longines Spirit: A Celebration of the Brand’s Pioneering Spirit

The Longines Spirit collection is a celebration of the company's rich heritage and aptitude for innovation. First launched in 2020, the Spirit collection celebrates the 188th year of Longines in the watchmaking industry. The collection not only puts the spotlight on their history as a company but also the many explorers and aviators who have trusted the brand since their humble beginnings. The timepieces in the collection combine traditional design aesthetics with modern technology to showcase Longines' heritage today. There are elements in the design that are taken from early pilots’ watches but have been updated to make the watches more contemporary. 

The Longines Spirit collection is proof of the brand's pioneering spirit and serves as a tribute to the men and women who have left their marks in history as inspiration to the generations to come. 

Prices at a Glance: Most Popular Longines Spirit Watches

How much does a Longines Spirit watch cost?

The Longines Spirit collection features timepieces that pay tribute to exceptional individuals in the aviation industry and the company’s long years of service. As such, the collection has a variety of models and even a “Prestige edition” under its belt. Fortunately, the collection is fairly new in the market so you won’t have a hard time getting your hands on one.

The Spirit collection appeals to those who are fans of vintage, as the timepieces in the collection tether more on the traditional side of the spectrum. However, they do still have a touch of modernity to them. The design is the ideal balance of bringing together themes from different eras into a timepiece. The design is further complemented by the technicalities that come with the timepieces. 

The Longines Spirit L38204732 is one of the chronographs in the Spirit collection. It is a 42mm stainless steel timepiece that is water-resistant up to 100m. Its chronograph mechanism includes a central 60-seconds hand, a 30-minute counter at 3 o'clock, and a 12-hour counter at 6 o'clock. It also has the standard hours, minutes, and small seconds function as well as the date. It runs on Longines' in-house caliber L688.4. With its brown leather strap, the timepiece leans more on the vintage aesthetic and it is an eye-catching timepiece that will surely catch anyone's attention. The Longines Spirit L38204732 is priced between $2,639 USD and $3,100 USD. 

Next is the Longines Spirit L38114736. The timepiece is entirely stainless steel from the case to the strap. It is a three-hand watch that runs on the company's L888.4 caliber. It has the standard date, hours, minutes, and seconds function. It also features a Chronometer that is COSC certified. The timepiece is a great example of a combination of vintage with a modern flare. The Longines Spirit L38114736 is priced within the range of $2,099 USD to $2,250 USD. 

The Longines Spirit L38104739, on the other hand, is a part of the collection's "Prestige edition" timepieces. It includes three interchangeable straps (stainless steel, leather, and NATO-style) for the price of one. The timepiece also has a quick-release mechanism that allows you to switch between the straps so you don't have to use tools or have it professionally done. The L38104739 is a 40mm stainless steel timepiece that is fixed with the L888.4 caliber. It's water-resistant up to 100m. Apart from that, the timepiece essentially has other basic functions of the other three-hand timepieces in the collection. The Spirit L38104739 is priced at $2,650 USD. 

Another timepiece included in the "Prestige edition" is the Longines Spirit L38114939. Like the other watches in the Prestige category, it comes with leather, stainless steel, and NATO-style bracelets that can be easily changed thanks to the timepiece's quick-release mechanism. It is a 42mm watch that is resistant up to 100m. It's a standard three-hand watch that patrons can wear daily without having to worry about being too flashy. The Longines Spirit L38114939 retails for $2,750 USD. 

The Longines Spirit L38204930 is another chronograph from the collection. At 42mm, it features a stainless steel case and a beautiful sunray blue dial. It is resistant up to 100m and runs on the company's L688.4 movement. It showcases a column-wheel chronograph and has general chronograph functions including the central second's hand, and the 30-minute and 12-hour counters. It also has a power reserve of 66 hours. The Spirit L38204930 retails for $3,100 USD.

Up Close with the Longines Spirit Prestige Edition

As mentioned, the Longines Spirit collection also comes with a Prestige Edition. There are not many differences between the standard timepiece and the Prestige Edition timepiece in the collection. The timepieces in this category are essentially the same as the timepieces in the entire collection. They all come in 42mm and 40mm variants with the same calibers. 

The only difference between the Prestige Edition and the standard watches is that this category allows patrons to have multiple straps. For an added amount, the Prestige Edition gives its patron a steel bracelet, a leather strap, and a leather NATO. While the standard size for this category is 40mm, there are 42mm variants available. 

The Prestige Edition allows patrons to customize and make their timepieces suit their liking. In general, the Spirit watches can be worn on multiple occasions and can even be worn regularly. However, if you want to stand out, this will be a great option because you can easily turn your watch into a statement piece just by changing the strap. 

Again, getting the Prestige edition of a certain model or variant won’t add anything to its technicalities, but it does allow more room for customization. 

History Behind the Longines Spirit Collection 

The Longines Spirit collection is a testimony of the company’s heritage and innovation. For 188 years, Longines has produced watches of the highest caliber that even exceptional individuals such as Amelia Earheart and Howard Hughes placed their trust in the company. 

To honor not only the company’s heritage but also the remarkable individuals of the aviation world, Longines released the Spirit collection. First introduced in the market in late 2020, the Spirit collection is a blend of classic styling and modern technicalities. The timepieces in the collection aren’t entirely traditional in terms of aesthetics but they are a mixture of vintage aesthetics with a modern flare. 

The collection comes in 40mm and 42mm variants. The general design for both sizes is the same from the wide set sports watch lugs down to the narrow polished bezel. The timepieces all have stainless steel cases and have the screw-down pillbox crown at 3 o'clock. 

The three-hand watches have three dial versions (matte black, sunray blue, and grained silver). Patrons will also have the option to choose the bracelet of the timepiece. If they would want more strap options, the Prestige edition of the watches is an option to consider. 

The chronograph variant of the collection only comes in 42mm. The timepieces have a pair of stout mushroom pushers at the crown which might not appeal to some people but overall, the technicalities of the timepiece make up for any shortcomings it might have in terms of design. Regardless, this variant is still a great timepiece to have if you're looking for a Longines Chronograph. 

The Spirit collection runs on the company’s in-house calibers namely the L688.4 and the L888.4. The watches all have Chronometers that are certified by the COSC. 

In terms of design, the Spirit collection might not stand out as there are other watches from the company that can easily outshine them. Nonetheless, the Spirit collection stands out because of its connection to the brand’s heritage and the exceptional individuals that inspired its creation.

Reasons to Buy a Longines Spirit Watch

If you're looking for a reason to purchase a timepiece from the Longines Spirit collection but are unsure whether it's worth it or not, here are a couple of reasons that you might want to consider before making your final decision.

1. The collection uses the company's in-house caliber

A unique feature of the collection is that they use in-house movements. Longines is a brand known for its innovations, and the collection features two of their many calibers. That said, the Spirit collection is unique in this aspect as it is unlikely that other companies will have the same caliber as theirs. They might have similarities, but Longines knows how to make their calibers shine. 

2. The Longines Spirit Prestige Edition allows for customization 

If you're a big fan of aesthetics, then you might want to consider the Spirit collection. Not only are the watches visually appealing on their own but they have the "Prestige edition" which allows you to purchase a variant from the collection with three different straps. With this, it's unlikely that you'll run out of style options. The Prestige Edition makes it easier for patrons to change the design of their timepieces so that it'll suit their needs better. 

3. Longines has a rich watchmaking legacy

Since its humble beginnings in 1832, the company has stayed true to its legacy in design and innovation. Through the years, the company has developed its timepieces to meet modern standards. They have also been able to release a wide range of watches with a variety of complications. Some of their watches have advanced features and others stay on the more basic functions. Regardless, each timepiece from Longines is a testament to their success, heritage, and innovation. 

4. The timepieces are built to last

The Longines Spirit collection is built to last a long time. They might have a vintage exterior but they have modern technicalities. Further, the timepieces are made by hand which guarantees that they are made with care. The watches also go through a strict inspection process to make sure that their watches are precise and can last for years despite wear and tear. 

5. Longines watches make great investments

Longines is one of the brands that holds and even increases its value over time. Buying a timepiece from the brand is a great investment — especially when the timepiece is still in good condition. The box and the documentation are also important because this helps grow the value of the timepiece. 

Longines Spirit: Heritage, Tradition, and Modernity in One Watch

The Longines Spirit collection is an ode to Longines' heritage in the watch industry. Not only does the collection feature timepieces with noteworthy complications but they also appeal to the crowd because of their aesthetics. It pays tribute to the company's long years of service and innovation and gives a nod to the exceptional individuals who helped mold the aviation world to what it is today. The collection is truly a celebration of the company's heritage and the individuals of the aviation industry that continue to inspire for generations to come.