Since its founding in 1832 in the sleepy Swiss village of Saint-Imier, Longines has blazed a trail characterised by accuracy, style, and the spirit of innovation. The watchmaker registered its winged hourglass emblem in 1889 — a symbol that stands as the oldest unchanged registered trademark in the world. And fittingly, it was Longines that also led the way in taming time zones for the wrist, with innovations dating as far back as the early 20th century. These included pocket watches for the Ottoman Empire in 1908 and a patented dual-time model in 1911. But it was in 1925 that the brand ushered in a new chapter, debuting its first dual-time wristwatch emblazoned with the Zulu flag — “Zulu” being the military code for UTC+0, the universal time that binds air routes, oceans, and minds.
The new Longines Spirit Zulu Time 1925, a reinterpretation that equally embodies the spirit of elegance and adventure, honours the brand’s 100th anniversary of that milestone.
The Spirit Zulu Time 1925 is housed in a 39mm stainless steel case. It has a sleek 13.5mm profile, and its bezel, which is bi-directional and capped in 18k rose gold and rubbed to a gentle sheen that catches light like the copper meridian strip at Greenwich it so poetically depicts, is what really makes this commemorative edition stand out. A light triangle at the top anchors the raw metallic warmth, which is devoid of ceramic sheen and carved with a 24-hour scale. It’s a subtle design that you notice only after a second look, rather than one that aims to wow with loudness.
Gilded Arabic numerals and sword-shaped hands, lavishly filled with Super-LumiNova, shine brilliantly against the matte black dial, which acts as a magnificent high-contrast stage that elevates every detail into sharp relief. A diamond-shaped hour marker motif adds architectural structure, while a sharp arrow-tipped GMT hand sweeps with confidence across the 24-hour scale. At six o’clock, a date aperture with a colour-matched disc nestles discreetly beneath five polished stars — Longines’ own measure of excellence — and a subtle engraving of the years 1925-2025 as a centenary cue that doesn’t need to shout to be heard.
A LITERAL WINDOW
The custom calibre L844.4 beats purposefully and precisely inside. Developed from the ETA A31.L411, this self-winding COSC-certified movement has a silicon balance spring for enhanced magnetism resistance and a strong 72-hour power reserve. Its mechanical heartbeat, which hums at 25,200 vibrations per hour, honours traditional craftsmanship while resonating with contemporary dependability.
And for the first time in the Spirit Zulu Time collection, the caseback is sapphire, offering a view of the rose gold-toned rotor engraved with a world map and the Prime Meridian. It’s a beautifully literal window into the watch’s global soul.
Rounding out the experience is a stainless-steel bracelet with quick-release versatility, and an additional black NATO strap for when the mood shifts from boardroom to backcountry.
The Longines Spirit Zulu Time 1925 is more than a GMT. It’s a century-old story that is masterfully narrated across two time zones.
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