LONGINES CELEBRATES SOLARSTRATOS' WORLD ALTITUDE RECORD
A solar-powered milestone reaches new heights as Longines honours innovation, exploration, and the pioneering spirit.
Swiss watchmaker Longines is celebrating the official ratification of the SolarStratos world altitude record by the FAI (Fédération Aéronautique Internationale), following a landmark achievement in sustainable aviation.
On 12 August 2025, Swiss explorer Raphaël Domjan piloted the solar-powered aircraft HB-SXA to an altitude of 9,640 metres, establishing the highest flight ever achieved by a solar-powered aeroplane. The record was officially ratified by the FAI in 2026, marking a significant breakthrough for renewable-energy aviation and reinforcing the potential of solar-powered flight.
As a longstanding partner of the SolarStratos project, Longines proudly supports an initiative that reflects the values that have shaped the brand since 1832: exploration, innovation, precision, and determination.
Reaching for the Stratosphere
Created with the ambitious goal of becoming the first solar-powered aircraft to reach the stratosphere, SolarStratos continues to push the boundaries of sustainable aviation technology. The newly recognised altitude record represents an important milestone towards that objective and is the culmination of years of research, testing, and perseverance by Domjan and the entire SolarStratos team.
The achievement demonstrates how renewable-energy technologies can be applied to aviation in ways that were once thought impossible, bringing the dream of emission-free high-altitude flight closer to reality.
A Timepiece for the Record
During the historic flight, Raphaël Domjan wore the Longines Spirit Chronograph, a timepiece inspired by the explorers, aviators, and pioneers who changed the course of history through courage and discovery.
Today, the watch worn during the record-breaking ascent is preserved in the Longines Museum in Saint-Imier, Switzerland, where it serves as a lasting symbol of this remarkable achievement.
Further recognition followed when, on 14 October 2026, the FAI awarded Domjan the prestigious Louis Blériot Medal, a distinction honouring the highest ascent by a solar-powered electric manned aircraft.
A Legacy of Pushing Boundaries
The SolarStratos accomplishment continues a long tradition of exploration associated with Longines. Throughout its history, the Swiss watchmaker has accompanied pioneers whose achievements expanded the limits of aviation, adventure, and human endeavour.
Among these trailblazers were:
Amelia Earhart, who set altitude records for female pilots in 1922 and 1931.
Ruth Nichols, who reached an altitude of 8,761 metres in 1931.
Elinor Smith, who soared to 9,929 metres during the same year.
Wiley Post, who established a world altitude record of 14,935 metres in 1934 while pioneering the use of a pressure suit.
Each of these aviation pioneers relied on Longines timepieces during their record-setting flights, further strengthening the brand's longstanding connection to aviation history.
The Pioneer Spirit Lives On
Longines' commitment to exploration extends beyond aviation. The brand has supported numerous expeditions, including the French Polar Expeditions led by Paul-Émile Victor in Greenland and Antarctica, as well as the SolarStratos mission.
In 2022, Géraldine Fasnacht, a member of the Longines family of ambassadors, made history by completing the world's first wingsuit jump from a solar-electric aircraft as part of the SolarStratos programme. Alongside Domjan, she demonstrated how innovation, sustainability, and human determination can open entirely new chapters in human exploration.
Drawing on more than a century of aviation heritage, Longines continues to expand its acclaimed Spirit Collection. In 2026, the brand introduced four new additions, including two Longines Spirit Pilot watches and two Longines Spirit Pilot Flyback Chronographs. Featuring matt blue dials, COSC-certified chronometer movements, and power reserves of up to 72 hours, the collection combines modern performance with timeless aviation-inspired design.
Looking Beyond What Seems Possible
For Longines, the official validation of the SolarStratos altitude record represents more than a technical achievement. It symbolises what can be accomplished when vision, innovation, and perseverance converge around a shared ambition.
As SolarStratos continues its journey towards the edge of space, Longines remains committed to supporting projects that inspire future generations to explore further, innovate boldly, and challenge the limits of what is possible.
"The official recognition of the SolarStratos altitude record demonstrates how human ingenuity and renewable technologies can work together to achieve extraordinary results, opening new horizons for sustainable aviation and exploration."
