BY HARLAN CHAPMAN-GREEN
Back in June last year, we looked at the new Spirit collection from Longines. The Spirit watches are the latest sports watches from the brand and aim to take on the smart/casual sports watch market with refined dials, eclectic designs and some polishing. For 2021, Longines has added a green dial to the three-handed date models; let’s take a look.
The watches to get the update don’t include the chronograph version of the Spirit model. We’re not sure why. It may be that Longines will release this later in the year or possibly in 2022. The watches that do get the update are the 40mm and 42mm diameter pieces. They get a clean dial layout with applied logos and numerals (within which is SuperLumiNova for excellent night-time reading). There’s also a green bezel on the inner flange of the watch where the seconds track is located.
That sums up the changes to the watches, apart from this they are the same as the three-handed models we saw last year, except for the leather strap. The pilot-inspired design doesn’t change, which is good because we like the way the Spirit collection looks. It’s a modest and contemporary design, much like Grand Seiko’s ‘Snowflake’, although with a lot less attention to detail (and a lower price because of it) in some areas.
Inside the watches is the ETA A31.L11 which Longines calls the calibre L888.4. It has a 3-day power reserve and a 4Hz beat rate, and is also certified by COSC as a chronometer. There’s also an anti-magnetic silicon balance spring in there, for good measure. Both sizes of watch receive this movement.
Both sizes of watch also receive either a three-piece stainless steel bracelet or a green/beige leather strap, both of which are easily interchangeable without needing a tool. Both watches command the same price regardless of whether you choose a bracelet or strap. For the 40mm version, the price is $2150, and for the 42mm version, the price is $2250.
