Longines Heritage: The modern edition of the watch supplied to the Czechoslovak Air Force

“MAJETEK VOJENSKÉ SPRÁVY” – property of the Ministry of Defense – was engraved on those rare pilot watches commissioned by the Czechoslovak Air Force in the 1930s. It is estimated that Longines delivered only a few thousand watches for this purpose to Prague, and the surviving pieces remain highly sought-after by collectors and enthusiasts. Longines used the 1935 model’s exterior design and functions as a starting point, preserving the watch's original character while updating its movement and refreshing its appearance.

With over 190 years of history, Longines was already producing highly precise and reliable timekeeping instruments at the beginning of the 20th century, which researchers and pilots of the era used during geographical explorations and aviation record attempts. By the time the 1935 model was introduced, the Swiss manufacturer had already gained significant experience regarding pilots' needs and the specific effects encountered during flight.

For this reason, the model was equipped with anti-magnetic protection, an unusually robust cushion-shaped case for the time, and a rotatable marker indicating the start of flight time. All of these features are also present in the 2023 edition, adapted to current trends and technological standards.

The 43-millimeter stainless steel case has a more ergonomic shape than the inspiring 1935 model, yet its measurable dimensions and visually size-enhancing design still give it a very bold appearance.

The serrated bezel, designed to make handling easier while wearing pilot gloves, was already a characteristic feature of the original model. Longines watchmakers enhanced this with an internal rotatable triangular marker that moved together with the bezel and crystal above the dial. In this year's model, however, the sapphire crystal is fixed to the case, and only the triangular marker is moved by the bezel.

Similar to the diving watches' familiar elapsed-time function, this model allows pilots to set the takeoff time on the matte black dial in a simple and easily readable way. The fixed sapphire crystal also ensures 100 meters of water resistance.

Protection against magnetic fields—which at the beginning of the 20th century posed a real threat primarily inside the cockpit—was achieved by Longines using a silicon balance spring. The sensitive spring made of traditional metal alloys had to be replaced by the watch industry because, in our modern environment, electromagnetic fields became much more prevalent by the second half of the last century.

A magnetized balance spring causes significant inaccuracies in the operation of mechanical watches. The best known solution to eliminate this issue is the use of a silicon balance spring; however, its manufacturing process is currently very expensive and unsuitable for mass production. Therefore, it is only found in high-end and luxury watches.

On the side of the watch case opposite the crown, a commemorative plate marked "1935" has been placed. This decorative element, mostly visible only to the owner, is another good example of the trend where more and more people buy watches for themselves rather than for their environment, as many aesthetic features and functions remain invisible to the uninitiated.

This also applies to the watch's screw-down case back, which, in homage to the original edition, features only inscriptions. Here, the watch's official designation, "LONGINES PILOT MAJETEK," can be read, adopting the first word of the original marking. (Majetek [májetek] = property).

The engraving also reveals what manufacturers usually highlight on the dial: every L893.6 automatic movement used in the Longines Majetek model has been tested at the COSC Swiss laboratory, and the resulting chronometer certificate is provided upon receipt of the watch. When fully wound, the movement can power the rhodium-coated hands, filled with phosphorescent Super-LumiNova® for visibility in the dark, for 72 hours.

When purchasing the Longines Pilot Majetek, three strap options are available: brown leather with beige decorative stitching (L2.838.4.53.0), dark green leather also with beige stitching (L2.838.4.53.2), and, in the spirit of sustainability, a khaki NATO strap made from recycled materials (L2.838.4.53.8).

Each model comes with a 5-year international warranty from the Swiss manufacturer.