Longines SPIRIT PILOT FLYBACKvsZelos Vitesse

The Longines Spirit Pilot Flyback is widely praised for its refined 39.5mm case size, improved wearability, and clean dial design, incorporating enthusiast feedback by removing the five stars and date. Reviewers and owners consistently highlight its exceptional finishing, well-acting ceramic bezel, and the value it offers. The manual-winding L792.4 column-wheel chronograph movement is COSC-certified and offers a power reserve of approximately 68 to 72 hours. Some owners expressed disappointment with the removal of the five stars from the dial, and one reviewer noted that some numerals are partially cut off by the subdials. The watch is priced around $5,350 to $5,550 USD. Overall, owners and reviewers rate the Longines Spirit Pilot Flyback highly for its improved dimensions, finishing, and value proposition.

Owners widely praise the Zelos Vitesse for its vintage motorsport design and striking dial options, with particular appreciation for the salmon and panda configurations and their finishing. The bracelet, clasp, and overall value at $1200 are frequently highlighted as strong points. Some owners note the watch sits high on the wrist, and a few have observed minor cosmetic imperfections on subdials. The La Joux Perret L100 movement's accuracy varies, with one report of +5 seconds per day, and several owners find the winding action stiff and noisy, the pushers sticky, and the screw-down crown's feel underwhelming. On balance, owners rate the Zelos Vitesse highly for its captivating dial and strong value proposition, despite some reservations about the chronograph's operational feel and case height.