Mario Canonizado 
The anniversaries just keep on coming, with Longines now joining the fray! Thus, the Swiss brand have released a trio of new Spirit Zulu Time timepieces that commemorate the collection’s 100th birthday.
“What time is it over there?” This simple question defined the Golden Age of travel. As planes, trains, automobiles, and steamships brought the world closer together, new challenges emerged. Navigation had always been a hurdle, but with time, the world’s pathways were mapped, and getting truly lost became increasingly rare. Yet, one problem remained unsolved: time.
As early pioneers like the Wright Brothers and Amelia Earhart pushed the boundaries of exploration, it became clear that keeping time across continents was becoming increasingly difficult; Local time was no longer enough. Adventurers and professionals alike called for standardisation. Universal Time, officially introduced in 1928, provided a global reference point — allowing pilots, sailors, and globetrotters to stay in sync no matter where they were. But what many don’t realize is that one Swiss brand had been addressing this challenge well before Universal Time’s debut
In fact, Longines had been crafting precise timekeeping solutions for travellers since the 19th century, including the famous “Turkish watches” commissioned by the Ottoman Empire, designed to display both Turkish and Western time simultaneously. But their most significant achievement came in 1925 with the introduction of the Longines Zulu Time — their first dual-time wristwatch. Stylish yet highly functional, it offered pilots and navigators a portable solution to maintain smooth communication and coordination across time zones throughout the 20th century.
Though the original Zulu Time eventually faded into Longines’ extensive archives, some watches are simply too important to stay forgotten. In 2022, the Swatch Group brand revived and re-imagined the model as the Longines Spirit Zulu Time, which quickly became one of the brand’s flagship collections. Now, in 2025, Longines celebrates 100 years of Zulu Time’s legacy with three new releases, honouring a century of impact on travellers and watch enthusiasts alike.
With five total references across three unique designs, the 100th anniversary of the Longines Spirit Zulu Time is being marked in style. The first design is perhaps the most commemorative of the bunch, housed in the familiar 39mm wide, 46.7mm long, and 13.5mm thick Spirit Zulu Time case.
While most of the watch is crafted in classic stainless steel, the bezel insert stands out in 18k rose gold — a direct tribute to the 350-year-old copper strip marking the Prime Meridian at the Royal Observatory in Greenwich. Earlier this year, I had the chance to see the fabled ‘centre of time’ in person — albeit through the fence that separates the public from the observatory exhibition. As horologically significant as it may be, I wasn’t about to pay £18 just to get a few steps closer.
The other two designs offer a choice between the familiar 39mm case and a larger 42mm version, which measures 49.4mm lug-to-lug and 14.1mm thick. Between the two sizes, you’re presented with two variations: one featuring a subtle two-tone ceramic bezel insert with rose gold accents, and another sporting a solid blue ceramic insert with yellow gold details. Both versions stay true to the Spirit Zulu Time line. Matte black dials and large Arabic numerals on both the dial and bezel ensure maximum legibility — a hallmark of any true travel watch.
For watch lovers, there’s another detail worth appreciating: all three models come with stainless steel bracelets that feature tool-free strap interchangeability. Considering the Spirit Zulu Time is one of the most versatile watches I’ve encountered — and factoring in the wide range of strap customization Longines offers — this feature is nothing short of a godsend. And if you opt for the rose gold bezel version, you’ll also receive a complimentary black NATO strap, perfect for more rugged adventures off the beaten path.
Related Reading: The Art of Complications – GMTs
Of course, now that the Spirit Zulu Time has reached centenarian status, the horology behind it reflects some of the best craftsmanship Longines has to offer. The modern Spirit Zulu Time is a traveller/flyer-style ‘true’ GMT, true GMT, and features an independently adjusting hour hand that maintains the essence of what a travel watch should be.
The automatic Longines Calibre L844.4 serves as the beating heart of the Spirit Zulu Time, operating at a distinctive 3.5Hz (25,200 vibrations per hour) and offering a reliable 72-hour power reserve. While Longines is often positioned as a steady presence in the middle market, the level of craftsmanship in this movement far surpasses many of its peers. Not only is the L844.4 COSC-certified for chronometer-level accuracy, but its use of a silicon hairspring and other advanced components allows it to be up to ten times more resistant to magnetic fields than the ISO 764 standard requires — punching far above its horological weight.
My Thoughts
I’ve probably said this ad nauseam in every Longines article I’ve ever written, but I’ll say it again: even though I don’t yet own a Longines timepiece myself, they remain one of the most consistent watch brands on the planet. It still blows my mind that, after all these years, they continue to produce exceptional watches at relatively accessible price points. What’s even more impressive is how few of us in the watch community have any real notes for improvement. These new Zulu Time models simply build on what already made the collection great, and they further showcase the quiet mastery Longines has honed over the decades.
Well — maybe that’s not the whole truth. The watch community can be fickle, and of course, there will always be detractors calling for a minor change here or a tweak there. But while some may chase the illusion of the ‘perfect watch,’ I find that there is perfection in consistency. And in that regard, Longines absolutely deserves to be the gold standard.
References:
- L3.803.5.53.6: Rose Gold Bezel, 39mm
- L3.812.4.50.6: Two-Tone Ceramic, 39mm or 42mm
- L3.812.4.50.6: Blue Ceramic, 39mm or 42mm
Specifications:
- Dimensions: 39mm case diameter x 46.7mm lug-to-lug x 13.5mm thickness / 42mm case diameter x 49.4mm lug-to-lug x 14.1mm thickness
- Case Material: Stainless steel with 18k rose gold or two-tone/blue ceramic bezel insert
- Dial: Matte black with applied rose/yellow gold Arabic numerals
- Movement: Automatic Cal. L844.4 with COSC Chronometer Certification & traveller-style GMT complication, rose gold PVD automatic rotor (Rose Gold Bezel)
- Power Reserve: 72h
- Beat Rate: 3.5Hz (25,200VpH)
- Water Resistance: 100m (10bar)
- Strap: Interchangeable stainless steel three-link bracelet with deployment butterfly clasp, complementary black NATO fabric strap (Rose Gold Bezel)
Australian RRP:
- Rose Gold Bezel 39mm – A$6,925
- Two-Tone Ceramic 39mm & 42mm – A$6,925 each
- Blue Ceramic 39mm & 42mm – A$5,425 each
