As one of Switzerland’s oldest manufactures, it should come as no surprise that a great many horological complication was invented within the hallowed halls of Longines. The flyback chronograph is a great example of this type of complication. Longines introduced its first flyback-chronograph watches in 1925. Longines didn’t patent the mechanism for a full decade, until 12 June 1935. The patent was officially registered one year later, 16 June 1936. Longines Spirit Flyback pays respect to the past while launching into the future. The flyback chronograph was a boon to those who had to time short intervals quickly, like pilots. It was very useful for pilots to be able to time their flight stages quickly to help them with navigation. A chronograph equipped with a flyback function can reset the clock and start counting again from zero seconds while it is running. This is done by pressing a single button. For regular chronographs the user must stop the chronograph running, reset it, and then press the start button again to restart.
Longines has launched the Spirit Flyback in memory of the invention and honour of Richard Byrd. Richard Byrd was a pioneering American Naval Officer and aviator. Byrd embarked on his Antarctica Expedition in 1928. Byrd, with his crew and on 29th November 1929, attempted to fly above the South Pole. Byrd navigated 1,290 km using a Longines watch and a solar-compass. Byrd became the first to fly above the South Pole after a grueling 19-hour journey. Byrd was said to have been to Antarctica three times more. Longines noted that he wore a Longines watch 13ZN for the 1939 expedition.
Inspire by this tradition, the Longines Spirit Flyback features a brand new Longines exclusive calibre L791.4. The self-winding watch is COSC-certified and equipped with a silicon antimagnetic balance wheel. The 42mm watch is equipped with a bidirectional rotating insert fitted with ceramic. SuperLuminova is used to coat the Arabic numbers and other marks on the ceramic bezel. Offered in a blue and black variation, the dial of the watch, too, has SuperLuminova-treated applied Arabic numerals for the hours. For the chronograph functions, you have the central chronograph second hand as well as a 30-minute totalizer at 3 o’clock. The subdial at 9 o’clock accounts for the running seconds.
Many aspects of our modern lives are commonplace because pioneers took the initiative to pursue the previously unknown. Richard Byrd and other pioneering aviators have made flying around the globe a common occurrence. The pioneering minds in horology such as those of Longines from 1925 are responsible for the fact that today, flyback chronographs are available by many watchmakers.
Movement: Automatic calibre L791.4 with chronograph; 68-hour power reserve
Case: 42mm stainless steel, water-resistant up to 100m
Strap: Leather, stainless steel bracelet or NATO fabric
Price: From USD 6,710
This article was first seen on WOW’s Summer #69 Issue.
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