Introducing the Longines Spirit Collection
The Longines Spirit Collection celebrates the legendary Pioneers of land, sea and sky. Linking history with modern innovation, Longines combines references to the glory days of aviation with modern aesthetics and technical requirements, resulting in a collection of timepieces that are stylish, functional and pay tribute to the iconic men and women who left their mark on history.
The Longines Spirit models are designed in the same manner as the Longines timepieces that famous pioneers wore and relied on as they conquered land, sea and sky. Legendary explorers and aviators such as Amelia Earhart, Paul Emile Victor, Elinor Smith and Howard Hughes trusted Longines for their incredible journeys.
This collection of Longines watches is a tribute to these exceptional individuals, a testimony to their pioneering spirit, and brings a rich heritage back to life. Each model from the range showcases the brands state of the art technology with each timepiece featuring a highly accurate Chronometer Certified movement. Traditional features from pilots watches have been reworked and updated and combined with contemporary lines and codes. The oversized crown, pronounced step around the crystal, font of the dial, the diamond shaped indexes and luminous baton hands are elements that evoke the glory days of aviation.
The precision, accuracy, robustness and reliability of the timepieces worn by these incredible explorers all contributed to the success of some of history's most famous exploits. Navigating unknown lands, wild oceans and defying extreme weather
In 1928, Amelia Earhart was the first woman to fly across the Atlantic, from Newfoundland in Canada to Wales, without any modern navigation equipment, a voyage that required courage, talent and a tough spirit. Four years later in 1932, she flew solo, non stop across the Atlantic, battling cruel weather conditions and mechanical problems to arrive in Northern Ireland after just 14 hours and 56 minutes. This pioneering aviator wore a Longines chronograph on both of her Atlantic voyages.
Howard Hughes was an American business tycoon and acclaimed film producer before he found fame as a record setting pilot, becoming an influential figure in the aviation industry. In 1938 he took just 3 days, 19 hours and 14 minutes to circumnavigate the world in his Lockheed Super Electra, making him the fastest man in the air and breaking previous records by almost four days. The watches in Hughes’ Lockheed were essential tools. The Longines Siderograph was invented in 1938 to facilitate navigation in fast moving aviation, and did not display usual civilian time, but rather sidereal time in hour angles, minutes and minute arcs.
The wonder child of aviation, Elinor Smith began flying lessons when she was just 10 years old, and by 15 had mastered her first solo flight. At 16 she became the youngest certified pilot in the world when she received her licence from the Federal Aviation Administration. She famously flew solo under all four bridges in New York, remaining the first and only pilot to accomplish this feat, simply because a male acquaintance (who'd tried and failed) said she couldn't. In January 1929, she broke the women's endurance record, flying solo in an open cockpit plane for 13 hours and 16 minutes and battling equipment problems, turbulence and cold. She was just 17 at the time.
The explorer and scientist Paul-Émile Victor knew no limits, and did not let geographical borders stop him in his quest of discovery and knowledge. He made land, sea and air all within his reach when he joined the navy and obtained his pilot's licence. During World War II he was a paratrooper and pilot for the US Air Force. When the war ended, he returned to his native France and founded the French Polar Expeditions. For almost 30 years, Paul-Émile Victor led 150 expeditions in his search to uncover the mystery of the poles. He trusted the precision and reliability of Longines watches and instruments, as their robustness made them resistant to the most extreme weather conditions
Discover the collection of remarkable Longines Spirit timepieces, available online and instore at Bannon Jewellers. Save 10% on Longines watches, online or instore, when you subscribe to our newsletter. Shop online now and enjoy Free Delivery or Free Click and Collect, or if you prefer, why not make an appointment to shop the collection in-store. We are now taking bookings here.