SolarStratos, a solar-powered aircraft, has received official ratification of its world altitude record from the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale (FAI).
On August 12, 2025, Swiss explorer Raphaël Domjan—piloting the HB-SXA SolarStratos aircraft, supported by Longines—reached an altitude of 9,640 meters, setting a record for the highest flight ever achieved by a solar-powered plane. The FAI officially ratified the flight in 2026.
Designed to become the first solar-powered aircraft to reach the stratosphere, SolarStratos continues to demonstrate the potential of renewable energy-based technology.
On October 14, 2026, the FAI awarded Raphaël Domjan the prestigious Louis Blériot Medal (1872–1936). This honor recognizes the highest crewed ascent ever performed by an electric, solar-powered aircraft.
As SolarStratos continues its journey toward new horizons, Longines remains proud to support a project that embodies a shared desire to explore, innovate, and look beyond what was once thought possible.
Longines Spirit Pilot.
During the record-breaking flight on August 12, Raphaël Domjan wore a Longines Spirit chronograph—a timepiece inspired by the pioneers who helped shape the history of aviation, exploration, and discovery. Today, that watch is preserved at the Longines Museum in Saint-Imier as an enduring memento of this historic achievement.
Throughout its history, Longines has accompanied prominent figures in these fields with its watches and timekeeping instruments, playing a part in their successes.
Amelia Earhart and Ruth Nichols.
Among these pioneers were Amelia Earhart (1897–disappeared during a flight in 1937), who set altitude records for female pilots in 1922 and 1931; Ruth Nichols (1901–1960), who reached an altitude of 8,761 meters in 1931; and Elinor Smith (1911–2010), who ascended to 9,929 meters that same year. In 1934, the legendary aviator Wiley Post (1898–1935) set a world altitude record of 14,935 meters while pioneering the use of a pressurized suit. All of these pilots wore Longines watches during their record-breaking flights.
Likewise, Longines has a long history of supporting exploration, including the French polar expeditions in Greenland and Antarctica led by Paul-Émile Victor (1907–1995).
In 2022, Géraldine Fasnacht (1980)—a member of the Longines family—made history by completing the first wingsuit jump from a solar-powered electric aircraft as part of the SolarStratos mission.
In 2026, Longines introduced four new additions to the Spirit collection, including two Longines Spirit Pilot watches and two Longines Spirit Pilot Flyback chronographs. Featuring matte blue dials, COSC-certified chronometer movements, and a 72-hour power reserve, these timepieces combine modern design with exceptional precision and reliability. They reflect Longines’ rich aeronautical heritage and its pioneering role in the development of flyback chronographs.