Steeped in Tradition, Meet the Longines Spirit Zulu Time

Welcome to Talking Points, a series that looks at what makes certain products worth talking about, brought to you by Gear Patrol Studios.

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What makes this new release tick? Well, for starters, it’s powered by Longines century-old expertise.

Its origin — and name — come from the very first Longines dual time zone wristwatch. Released in 1925, that first iconic timepiece featured the Zulu flag on its dial. Zulu refers to the letter ‘Z,’ which traditionally designates universal time for pilots and members of the armed forces.

Now, this new release — the Longines Spirit Zulu Time — calls back to that historic pilot’s watch, while integrating a series of gorgeous modern features to firmly cement the watch in the tradition of today. Read on to learn everything you need to know about this exciting timepiece.

Longines

The Backstory

Longines: A Pioneering Spirit and Quest for Precision

Few brands can claim a legacy as long, or as storied, as Longines.

Founded by Swiss watchmakers Auguste Agassiz and Ernest Francillon, the brand can trace its roots back to 1832. That year, Agassiz established a small watchmaking workshop in the Swiss village of Saint-Imier.

In 1878 Longines released its very first chronograph pocket watch. Thirty years later, the brand debuted the first dual time zone pocket watch, and in 1925, a dual time zone wristwatch.

Adorned with the telltale Z, the watch was used by ship radio operators to convert local time to universal world time (i.e. ‘Zulu Time’).

Now, nearly a century later, the Longines Spirit Zulu Time celebrates the brand’s long history, while endowing the popular Longines Spirit with an echo of the past.

The Gist

What We Love About the Longines Spirit Zulu Time

Available in nine different versions, the Longines Spirit Zulu Time offers plenty of ways to customize the timepiece. You can choose between an interchangeable stainless steel bracelet or leather strap, with dials and bezels offered in a variety of different colorways.

Specifically, the new models are available with a matte black, anthracite or blue dial (with a date window centered at the 6 o’clock position). Each bezel features a colored ceramic insert, and the watch’s Arabic numerals and hands are all coated in Super-LumiNova which offers a bit of luminescence and enhanced readability.

The collection’s standout model has an eye-catching 18K yellow gold bi-directional rotating bezel and crown, plus a chocolate brown ceramic insert with a gilt GMT (Greenwich Mean Time) track. Presented on the anthracite sandblasted dial, this piece would make a gorgeous gift for any collector.

Our POV

Stay Connected With This Iconic Take on the Longines Spirit

Perhaps the most striking part of the Longines Spirit Zulu Time is that the watch shows additional time zones read with a 24-hour hand that operates separately from the GMT indicator. Thanks to a chronometer certified by the COSC, the timepiece is guaranteed to remain precise and accurate over time.

If you’re looking for an elegant timepiece well-suited for the world traveler, look no further than the Longines Spirit Zulu Time.

Price: $3,050 – $4,300

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