Longines Spirit Zulu Time Collection

Driven by the winged hourglass brand's rich heritage, the Longines Spirit collection is beginning a new chapter to add to its history, with the Longines Spirit Zulu Time. Featuring multiple time zones, this timepiece is a continuation of Longines’ precision instruments worn by the world’s greatest pioneers on their legendary exploits. The Longines Spirit Zulu Time celebrates the mindset of these heroes, embodies the sense of adventure that modern explorers possess and harks back to the pioneering role that the brand played in developing watches with multiple time zones.

The Longines Spirit collection now has a new watch featuring multiple time zones – a model inextricably intertwined with the brand's pioneering spirit. The new Longines Spirit Zulu Time typifies the watchmaker's century-old expertise in timepieces of its kind. Its origins and its name come from the first Longines dual-time zone wristwatch manufactured in 1925, which featured the Zulu flag on its dial – Zulu referring to the letter "Z" which designates universal time for aviators and members of the armed forces. The development of other GMT models, aimed mainly at the aeronautics sector, has continued to bolster the pioneering role that Longines plays in this field.

Many adventurers have crossed the world's time zones with a Longines watch on their wrist. They have traversed the globe with determination and passion, making the impossible a reality. Renowned aviators including Amy Johnson, Clyde Pangborn and Hugh Herndon conquered the air and set new records – all with Longines’ assistance. A guarantee of safety and reliability for these early pioneers.

A link between history and innovation, the Longines Spirit Zulu Time pays homage to the brand's rich heritage, resulting in an exceptional timepiece to be used by all modern pioneers. An exclusive new Longines in-house calibre with a silicon balance-spring drives the time zone display. A state-of-the-art technology that allows the hour hand to be adjusted independently of the GMT indicator. 

Additional time zones are read using a 24-hour hand and a bidirectional rotating bezel, also graduated over 24 hours. Extremely accurate with a power reserve of 72 hours, this new movement is chronometer-certified by the COSC (the Swiss Official Chronometer Testing Institute), in a nod to the five stars stamped on the dial which, in the history of Longines, was a guarantee of a movement of the highest quality.

Aesthetically, the Longines Spirit Zulu Time stands out with its meticulous execution and the particular care given to the various finishes on the details – whether shiny, matt, polished, in relief or embossed. This model features a bezel enhanced with a coloured ceramic insert, and is available on a matt black, sandblasted anthracite or sunray blue dial, with a date window now centred at the 6 o'clock position. 

Its hands and numerals, coated with Super-LumiNova®, enable the time to be read under all circumstances. The 42 mm steel case has an interchangeable stainless steel bracelet or an interchangeable brown, beige or blue leather strap. These straps all have a folding clasp fitted with a new fine adjustment system for maximum comfort and a perfect fit.

So, whatever your destination, wherever your taste for adventure takes you, you will never lose track of time with the Longines Spirit Zulu Time on your wrist. Are you ready to unleash the pioneer in you?

Longines movements

With centuries of watchmaking expertise, Longines has played a pioneering role in a number of technological advances and continues to display an unwavering commitment to innovation. Its constant pursuit of excellence has, in turn, led it to equip all of its automatic timepieces with state-of-the-art movements which, notably, include a silicon balance-spring. This material is not only light and corrosion-resistant but also remains unaffected by normal temperature variations and magnetic fields. Its unique properties improve the precision and longevity of the watch and allow Longines to provide these models with a 5-year warranty.

The pioneering spirit that has led exceptional men and women to surpass themselves and believe in the impossible lives on in the Longines Spirit collection. Their inspirational stories are closely linked with Longines. Here are some of their greatest feats.

On 5th May 1930, Amy Johnson, the most famous aviator in Britain, was the first woman to fly solo from England to Australia. She took off from Croydon (near London) and landed in Darwin 19 days later, having covered a distance of 11,000miles.

On 5th October 1931 Clyde Pangborn and Hugh Herndon, Jr., two daring American aviators, completed the world’s first nonstop, transpacific flight from Japan to the United States. They took off and landed 41 hours later in Wenatchee, Washington, having covered a distance of 5,500 miles. At the time, it was the longest flight ever made over water. Herndon wrote to Longines-Wittnauer some weeks later that during the Pacific crossing, “Clyde Pangborn and myself carried Longines timepieces, which performed faultlessly”. In the final Pacific flight, “in which we encountered such frigid arctic weather as to even freeze the water in our canteens Longines watches continued to kept absolutely accurate time”, he explained. Herndon also mentioned: “As you know, correct time is essential to good navigation”.

“ …From the start of the flight (…) to the final Pacific ‘hop’, in which we encountered such frigid arctic weather as to even freeze the water in our canteens Longines watches continued to keep absolutely accurate time. As you know, correct time is essential to good navigation. May we congratulate the manufacturers of so excellent a timepiece.”

More than 100 years of expertise in developing timepieces to indicate two time zones on the same dial

A Pilot’s watch indicating different time zones

The Longines Spirit Zulu Time takes reference at the first Longines wristwatch to indicate a second time zone: the model Zulu Time of 1925 with its typical Z-flag on the dial. Z stands for Zulu Time, the universal time format - used both historically and today - in aviation and military.

Longines has more than 100 years of expertise in the development of timepieces indicating different time zones. The brand watchmakers introduced the first Longines pocket watch indicating two time zones in 1908, built for the Ottoman Empire (today Turkey). This watch operated with double hands to indicate the hours and minutes, thus enabling to indicate Turkish time and French time on the same dial. Longines filed a patent for this technique in 1911 (“Montre turque à deux tours d’heures“), followed by a second patent in 1918 (“Montre à double cadran”).

In 1931, Longines developed a special cockpit clock, delivered to pioneering American pilot Clyde Pangborn, the first pilot to fly nonstop from Japan to USA. This special instrument was equipped with double hands to indicate hours and minutes, and two concentric 24-hours dials.

In this family of cockpit clocks we find a bit later as well a watch with two 12-hour dials, again with double hands. For the wrist of pilots Longines modified in 1933 a large 47mm-Weems watch with a double set of hour and minute hands.

1935. Longines Pilot’s Watch. Double mobile dial and rotating internal bezel operated by the crown at the 12 o'clock position

1937. Longines Cockpit Clock. Dashboard instrument equipped with double minute and hour hands, as well as a turning bezel with luminescent indicator

The new Longines Spirit Zulu Time writes a new chapter in brand's rich history of multipurpose instruments for pilots and travelers.

Technical specifications

Longines Spirit Zulu Time

Reference: L3.812.4.53.2 (leather)

Reference: L3.812.4.53.6 (steel bracelet)

Case

• Material: Stainless steel
• Diameter: 42 mm
• Thickness: 13.90 mm
• Glass: Sapphire domed glass with multi-layered anti-reflective coating on both sides
• Bidirectional rotating bezel with black ceramic insert
• Engraved 24-hour scale with lacquered numbers and SuperLumiNova® triangle
• Screw in crown
• Caseback with 6 screws
• Water-resistant to 100 meters

Dial and hands

• Dial: Black matt, applied Arabic numerals, Super-LumiNova®
• Hands: Silvered polished, Super-LumiNova®
• GMT hand: black and blue

Movement

• Calibre L844.4 (A31.L411)
• Mechanical self-winding movement, COSC certified
• Number of jewels: 21 jewels
• Frequency: 25'200 vph 
• With silicon balance-spring
• Power reserve of approximately 72 hours

Functions/Indications

• Hours, minutes, seconds and date aperture at 6 o’clock
• 24 hours hand with time zone mechanism

Strap and buckle

• Brown strap with folding buckle and micro adjustment system, with interchangeable system
• Stainless steel bracelet with triple safety folding clasp and push-piece opening mechanism, with interchangeable system

MSRP

• CHF 2'750
• CHF 2'850

Technical specifications

Longines Spirit Zulu Time

Reference: L3.812.4.63.2 (leather)

Reference: L3.812.4.63.6 (steel bracelet)

Case

• Material: Stainless steel
• Diameter: 42 mm
• Thickness: 13.90 mm
• Glass: Sapphire domed glass with multi-layered anti-reflective coating on both sides
• Bidirectional rotating bezel with green ceramic insert
• Engraved 24-hour scale with lacquered numbers and Super-LumiNova® triangle
• Screw in crown
• Caseback with 6 screws
• Water-resistant to 100 meters

Dial and hands

• Dial: Anthracite sandblasted, applied Arabic numerals, Super-LumiNova®
• Hands: Gilt polished, Super-LumiNova®
• GMT hand: black and gilt polished

Movement

• Calibre L844.4 (A31.L411)
• Mechanical self-winding movement, COSC certified
• Number of jewels: 21 jewels
• Frequency: 25'200 vph 
• With silicon balance-spring
• Power reserve of approximately 72 hours

Functions/Indications

• Hours, minutes, seconds and date aperture at 6 o’clock
• 24 hours hand with time zone mechanism

Strap and buckle

• Beige strap with folding buckle and micro adjustment system, with interchangeable system
• Stainless steel bracelet with triple safety folding clasp and push-piece opening mechanism, with interchangeable system

MSRP

• CHF 2'750
• CHF 2'850

Technical specifications

Longines Spirit Zulu Time

Reference: L3.812.4.93.2 (leather)

Reference: L3.812.4.93.6 (steel bracelet)

Case

• Material: Stainless steel
• Diameter: 42 mm
• Thickness: 13.90 mm
• Glass: Sapphire domed glass with multi-layered anti-reflective coating on both sides
• Bidirectional rotating bezel with blue ceramic insert
• Engraved 24-hour scale with lacquered numbers and Super-LumiNova® triangle
• Screw in crown
• Caseback with 6 screws
• Water-resistant to 100 meters

Dial and hands

• Dial: Sunray blue, applied Arabic numerals, Super-LumiNova®
• Hands: Silvered polished, Super-LumiNova®
• GMT hand: black and orange

Movement

• Calibre L844.4 (A31.L411)
• Mechanical self-winding movement, COSC certified
• Number of jewels: 21 jewels
• Frequency: 25'200 vph 
• With silicon balance-spring
• Power reserve of approximately 72 hours

Functions/Indications

• Hours, minutes, seconds and date aperture at 6 o’clock
• 24 hours hand with time zone mechanism

Strap and buckle

• Blue strap with folding buckle and micro adjustment system, with interchangeable system
• Stainless steel bracelet with triple safety folding clasp and push-piece opening mechanism, with interchangeable system

MSRP

• CHF 2'750
• CHF 2'850

For more information, please visit longines.com