Longines latest timepiece, the Pilot Majetek, marks the rebirth of a watch that was designed for aviation. This latest creation brings together the spirit of adventure and Longines aviation timepiece history whilst also incorporating 21st-century design codes. The Pilot Majetek was inspired by a 1935 iconic timepiece that at the time had original character and features that made it stand out from the crowd.
Longines has a history of more than 190 years, which allows the winged-hourglass brand to offer timepieces that have DNA with historic design codes combined with contemporary expertise and undisputed precision and reliability. The Pilot Majetek is a perfect representation of all these elements coming together.
The original version on which the Pilot Majetek is based on, had a unique curved cushion-shaped case design. The model was first registered as an official timepiece on the 1st of April 1935 at the International Industrial Property Office in Bern, Switzerland. The original model was created for pilots and the aviation industry in general, however, Longines soon found out that it was appreciated by a much wider audience in general.
The Longines Pilot Majetek comes in a 43mm stainless steel cushion case that has a water resistance of 100 meters (10bar). The cushion case design from the original model is retained while being created to a high degree of reliability and comfort to suit modern standards. At the 9 o’clock side of the case is a fitted commemorative plate marked “1935” as a reference to the original Majetek timepiece it’s based on. The case also features the external fluted rotating bezel, which is accompanied by the fluorescent mobile triangle marker found (“Starting Time Indicator”) found at the starting 12 o’clock position on the dial. In the 1935 Majetek model, the bezel and crystal glass rotated as one, however, this latest iteration Longines has made the sapphire glass fixed to provide a more reliable and higher water-resistance on the case.
Like the majority of timepieces designed for aviators, the readability of the dial must be precise and easy. With this in mind, Longines has kept the dial, like the original Majetek, relatively uncluttered and easy on the eye. The dial has a matte black background, which is accompanied by embossed white Arabic numerals coated with SuperlumiNova. The old radium Superluminova coating can also be found on the rhodium-tipped baton hour and minute hands for optimum nighttime visibility. At the 6 o’clock position is the oversized constant seconds sub-dial, which is a design reference taken straight from the original 1935 timepiece.
The engine powering this latest Pilot Majetek is the brand’s L893.6 calibre movement. The L893.6 movement comes equipped with a magnetically resistant silicon balance spring. The movement operates at a freqeucy of 25,200 VpH whilst giving out a decent power reserve of 72 hours.
Longines offers the Pilot Majetek in three strap choices. The first two are two-stitch leather straps, in either brown or green colour. The third choice is a NATO-type strap made from polyester fibre, which has been created from recycled materials. Our personal favourite out of the three choices would have the be the green leather, as colour tone of the strap goes nicely with the overall appearance of the timepiece, whilst being dark enough not to take attention away from the dial.
A faithful reinterpretation of an original classic, the latest Longines Pilot Majetek has historic DNA with the backing of modern-day materials and an updated design. Ideal for aviators with its easy-to-use fluted bezel and easy readability dial, it’s sure to be enjoyed by a much wider audience much like the original 1935 model was.
Reference: L2.838.4.53.9
Specification:
- Case: 43mm
- Case Material: Cushion shape stainless steel
- Dial: Matte Black dial
- Crystal: Sapphire glass with multi-layered anti-reflective coating on both sides
- Water resistance: 10 Bar (100m)
- Movement: Calibre L893.6
- Power reserve: 72 hours
- Bracelet/Strap: Brown or Green leather strap with beige stitches or a Khaki green NATO strap made from recycled materials.
