Watch News Briefing: Longines, U-Boat, and Dennison in Blue
The color blue is the defining feature of three new releases: Longines is expanding its Spirit Pilot line with four new models, U-Boat is introducing the Sommerso Ceramic Blue with two strap options, and Dennison is reimagining its Dual-Time watch in a bold “Carnaby Blue.”
Longines Expands the Spirit Pilot Line
Longines is expanding the Spirit collection with four blue pilot’s watches. The lineup includes two Spirit Pilot models with classic time display and two Spirit Pilot Flyback models with chronograph functions. With these additions, the brand continues to expand the line in both the everyday three-hand segment and the more technically sophisticated chronograph segment.
All four models are certified as chronometers in accordance with the specifications of the official Swiss testing agency, COSC. The new models are united by their shared blue design, while the flyback versions offer an additional function traditionally associated with aviation: the running chronograph can be stopped, reset, and restarted immediately with a single push of a button.
Longines is once again drawing on its own aviation heritage, without designing the models as mere historical replicas. The Spirit collection remains a modern interpretation of classic instrument watches.
U-Boat Sommerso Ceramic Blue: Two Straps, One Case
U-Boat also embraces blue, but interprets the theme in a much more substantial way. The Sommerso Ceramic Blue features a 46-millimeter stainless steel case, a ceramic bezel, and water resistance up to 300 meters. This positions it, both in terms of design and technical specifications, as a professional diver’s watch.
The model is available in two versions. A stainless steel band accentuates the watch’s substantial appearance; the black band made of vulcanized rubber has a sportier look and is likely better suited for actual use in the water. The case, blue dial, and key technical specifications remain the same.
Dennison and Time+Tide Choose “Carnaby Blue”
The third new blue model comes from Dennison and the watch publication Time+Tide. For the partners’ second collaboration, the ALD Dual Time Studio Edition was given a bold blue dial. The name “Carnaby Blue” references London and is intended to give the geometric design by Emmanuel Gueit a more expressive character.
The limited edition was first unveiled at the Founders Fest and subsequently offered exclusively through Time+Tide. Sales were limited to a window of just 24 hours. As of this writing, the original offer period has therefore already expired; the watch remains relevant primarily as a collector’s edition and as a continuation of the collaboration.
