Back in March of this year, I had the opportunity to view and handle many of Longines’ proposed releases at a novelty event in New York City. This is where I first encountered the Longines Spirit Flyback Titanium. I am sure you will agree that nine months is a long time to remain tight-lipped about something that excites you. It’s practically a pregnancy. The Flyback line—which previously included two colourways and five different references—is among the Longines’ most innovative and enterprising in the Spirit Collection, hearkening back to the brand’s pioneering role in the development of flyback technology.

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Check out the Longines Spirit Zulu Time Titanium

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What is a “flyback” function?

The flyback complication enables a chronograph to measure consecutive intervals in quick succession. Unlike more common timers, a flyback can be reset and restarted to zero at the push of a single button. Its design contributed largely to the accuracy of aeronautical navigation, allowing pilots to quickly record multiple intervals—like the travel time between way points or the consumption of fuel. The increasing speed of aircraft, coupled with long-haul flights often resulted in prolonged periods of flight where aircraft ran off-course. Measuring sequences or close intervals, such as those required in dead reckoning, became much more precise with the flyback.

The Longines Spirit Flyback in Titanium

Of the various Spirit Flyback models launched this year, the Flyback Titanium is my favourite. I find that the anthracite colourway, and its tasteful use of red text in the bottom half of the dial, really suits the warm brushed titanium case and bracelet. The juxtaposition of matte in the sunray dial against the glossy appearance of the ceramic bezel insert is also very attractive.

Grade 5 titanium’s strength-to-weight ratio makes it one of the strongest materials available in watchmaking. It is hypoallergenic, anti-magnetic, corrosion-resistant, and—at up to five times harder than stainless steel—exceptionally durable. It’s the perfect material for a tool watch. Like its predecessors, the Flyback titanium measures 42mm in diameter and 17mm in height. It’s not a small watch. But it is significantly lighter this time around. Despite its size, the Flyback Titanium is a sleek, athletic design. The satin finish and fine chamfering throughout create a satisfying contrast, as well.

It features a bidirectional rotating bezel with a deep black ceramic insert. The minute scale and pip have been treated with Super-LumiNova, like the dial Arabics and sword handset. The domed sapphire crystal is cambered seamlessly against the bezel and is treated with an anti-reflective coating. The numeral font in the hour index is familiar across the entire Spirit Collection, but here we also find two sub-registers: a small seconds at 9, and a 30-minute counter at 3. Enticing gilt highlights appear in the hands, Arabics, and sub-dial surrounds. As mentioned earlier, the only use of colour pops in the red model name above 6, and is picked up again in the lozenge-tipped chronograph pointer.

The Longines-exclusive calibre L791.4

The Spirit Flyback Titanium is equipped with the column wheel L791.4 calibre. It features an anti-magnetic, silicon balance-spring and promises a power reserve of up to 68 hours. The movement is also chronometer certified by COSC and runs within -4/+6 day. The display case back is attached with six screws and reveals a decorated rotor with an engraved globe and the Spirit Collection emblem. The watch does have a screw down crown and is water-resistant up to 100m.

The model featured here is the L3.821.1.53.6 and comes on a titanium bracelet with a folder over clasp and quick change system; however, there is a second reference (L3.821.1.53.2) which is fitted with a black or grey NATO strap, especially designed for the Flyback.

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Specs

Case	Grade 5 Titanium 42mm Diameter 17mm Thick 22mm Lug Width Screw Down Crown Display Case Back Bidirectional Bezel 100m Water Resistance
Dial & Crystal	Sapphire Crystal /w Double-Sided AR 2 Sub-dials Sunray Anthracite Dial Applied Numerals BGW9 Super-LumiNova
Movement	Cal. 791.4 COSC Certified Chronometer Column Wheel Chronograph (Central Chrono /w Flyback, Running Seconds & 30-Minute Register) 28 Jewels 28 800bph 68-Hour Power Reserve
Strap	Stainless Steel Bracelet or Black/Grey Fabric NATO

Longines Spirit Flyback Titanium Chronograph

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Of Interest

The flyback chronograph was developed to address the limitations of traditional chronographs. In a standard chronograph, you need to stop the chronograph hand, reset it to zero, and then restart it if you want to time multiple events in quick succession. The flyback mechanism simplifies this process by allowing you to reset and restart the chronograph with a single button press.

The concept of the flyback mechanism was first patented by Longines. The brand filed patent papers in 1935/6 for the 13ZN, but the flyback had been a function–at the request of Italian pilots–that was in use on their 13.33Z as early as 1927. However, it wasn’t until the 1940s and 1950s that flyback chronographs gained popularity among military pilots and sports enthusiasts.

The ability to quickly reset and restart the chronograph hand with a single push of a button was crucial for timing various flight-related activities and also helpful in timing races.

Quibbles

The Spirit Flyback Titanium is undeniably a thick watch, but in some ways that’s it part of its athletic appearance. The size is also somewhat mitigated by its lightweight construction; however, if 42mm is outside your wheelhouse, it may well be that Longines revisits this in 2024, as they have with the Spirit Zulu Time this year. What I would really like to see in future iterations, though, is the addition of an “on-the-fly” adjustment system, as we saw in the new Hydroconquest GMT. Screw links and female endlinks would also really beef up the bracelet offering.

Final Thoughts

The Longines Spirit Flyback Titanium maintains the refined aesthetics and balanced dial elements of its progenitor. The design is eye-catching in its use of gilt and red highlights in an otherwise monochromatic display. It feels very contemporary when rendered in titanium, despite the retro cues throughout. The watch has a warmth and there is an intricate interplay between light and shadows thanks to the mix of dark and lustrous finishes. It is a tool watch, to be certain, but it is a sophisticated one. Despite paying a premium for the upgrade to titanium, pricing of the Spirit Flyback remains competitive. It is, for example, only half the cost of Omega’s Planet Ocean Titanium Chronometer Chronograph. As such, in some respects, the Spirit Flyback Titanium finds itself soaring in a flock of one.

The Longines Spirit Flyback Titanium retails for $5200USD ($4850 on the strap). For more information, please visit the brand website.

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About the author

Brent Robillard is a writer, educator, craftsman, and watch enthusiast. He is the author of four novels. You can follow him on Instagram.

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