In collaboration with Longines
Hands-on + Video: Longines Spirit Zulu Time
Longines' latest release within the appreciated Spirit collection is a GMT watch by the name of Zulu Time. We at Eqotime have, in collaboration with Longines, taken a closer look at the model.
Text:/Photo: Aleksandar Mladenovic
Longines latest release within the appreciated Spirit collection is a GMT watch by the name of Zulu Time. We at Eqotime have, in collaboration with Longines, taken a closer look at the model.
This year Longines is releasing a number of interesting models, but the Zulu Time is the watch that Eqotime properly set its eyes on since it builds further on the successful Spirit series. This year the Spirit comes with a GMT function, ”Zulu Time”, which takes the model to the next level.
The Spirit collection
Longines introduced the completely new Spirit collection two years ago in 2020. The collection draws inspiration from their rich history of watches that have been used as instruments by pioneers in various fields such as athletes and pilots. Among famous wearers of Longines we find names such as Amelia Earhart, Charles Lindbergh and Howard Hughes, to name just a few.
Unlike Longines' Heritage line, which revives classic models from their range, the Spirit collection is a completely new design but with design elements taken from the past.
The watches are robust, easy to read with their large and clear indices, as well as oversized crowns that are grip-friendly and easy to operate – you clearly notice that the inspiration for the collection comes from the classic pilot's watch.
The collection is now growing and besides ”three-handers” and chronographs they this year introduced a watch with a GMT function – Zulu Time.
A robust watch with a GMT function
Before we take a closer look at the models we have had the pleasure of reviewing we need to go back about 100 years in time briefly and examine Longines' history of wristwatches that show two time zones and where the name Zulu actually comes from.
In 1925 Longines introduced its first watch with two time zones. On the dial there was a ”Z” flag. Z stands for Zulu and within the military Zulu time means coordinated universal time or UTC.
Earlier this year the Spirit collection was thus expanded with three completely new watches equipped with a GMT function. Zulu Time is a natural step in the development since GMT watches have always been so strongly associated with pilots and the aviation industry.
The watches come in a size of 42mm and are made in stainless steel. The three models are found in three combinations – black dial with black rotating bezel, blue dial with blue rotating bezel and dark grey dial with green rotating bezel.
The thickness is 13.9mm and they are 49mm long from lug tip to lug tip. The case is nicely finished and feels solid and lavish with brushed case sides and the top of the case with a wide chamfer along the edge that is polished.
The rotating bezel can be turned in both directions (as it should) and is graduated with all 24 hours of the day and has a ceramic insert where the triangle is equipped with SuperLuminova.
The crown is screwed down, large and grip-friendly like the other models in the collection and the case back, which is solid, is attached with 6 screws. The water resistance of the watch is 100m which means that you do not need to be nervous about exposing the watch to a bit of splashing in the pool on a warm summer's day. The whole watch breathes build quality and feels far from delicate, which we like. A tool watch in, for the price class, luxurious packaging.
The watch comes on either a leather strap or a bracelet in stainless steel. The bracelet is three-piece and alternates brushed and polished surfaces. It feels of good quality and wears comfortably on the wrist. In the clasp there is micro-adjustment and both straps have a mechanism which makes strap changes without tools possible.
The leather strap too has a folding clasp with a clever function for micro-adjustment.
Easy-to-read dial with small pleasant details
The dials are as mentioned found in three different colours, where the ones we have got to know more closely are the blue one with a sunray finish and the matte dark grey version with gold details. The dial is easy to read and has large Arabic numerals as indices that are filled with SuperLuminova. Between the minute markings and the hour markers there is an inner ring in a polished execution that plays nicely in the light and this is a small detail that we on the editorial team really fell for. They have also cut out this ring and there you find diamond-shaped markers in SuperLuminova.
The Longines logo, the winged hourglass, is applied to the dial as are the five stars that represent Longines' dedication to quality and reliability (and the 5-year guarantee).
The hour and minute hands are also filled with luminous material, as is the fourth hand which indicates the second time zone. The GMT hand also distinguishes itself by being in a different colour. The date display blends in nicely and is placed at 6 o'clock on the dial.
Inside the watches ticks the Longines Caliber L8444.4 which is a modified ETA A31 that is exclusive to Longines. The movement is chronometer certified by COSC. The movement ticks at a frequency of 25,200 beats per hour and has a balance spring of silicon to withstand magnetism better. The power reserve is 72h.
Concluding thoughts
All in all we at Eqotime like the watches. They are well built, nicely finished with a reliable movement. Longines has a clear idea with the model that is connected to the manufacturer's history, which lifts the model above ”just” being a good-looking watch. All of the models in the collection work well both on bracelet and leather, which means it works in different seasons, and of course also when you travel and want to keep track of different time zones at the same time.
Technical specifications
Brand: Longines
Model: Spirit Zulu Time
Reference number: L3.812.4.63.2 (grey dial with leather strap) L3.812.4.93.6 (blue dial on bracelet)
Diameter: 42mm
Thickness: 13,9mm
Case material: Stainless steel
Dial: Matte grey or sunray blue
Water resistance: 100m
Bracelet: Bracelet in stainless steel or leather strap
Movement: L844.4
Complications: Date, 24h time zone
Power reserve: 72h
Winding: Automatic
Price: 29,750kr on leather strap or 30,850kr on bracelet
