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For more than a century, Longines has been a master of tracking multiple time zones at a glance. From impeccably elegant pocket watches to wrist-borne innovations, this is a corner of horology that unquestionably bears the Swiss maison’s stamp of authority.
Now, the legendary watchmaker is once again building on this rich heritage with the launch of the Spirit Zulu Time 1925, its most sophisticated take on a watch designed to track multiple time zones so far. Starting with a stunning commemorative edition boasting a rotating bezel adorned with the 18K rose-gold cap, each watch is designed to keep you in sync and on time no matter where in the world you might find yourself, while simultaneously delivering copious servings of style.
The Development of Dual-Time
Longines first established its credentials in helping travellers monitor multiple time zones as far back as the 19th century. However, it was with the introduction of its “Turkish Watches”—wonderfully refined pocket devices built for the Ottoman Empire to track what was then referred to as Turkish and Western times—that its supremacy in this matter was well and truly set.
From there, this revered home of horology only continued to enhance its pedigree, launching the first dual-time wristwatch, in the form of 1925’s “Zulu Time”, a name inspired by the maritime flag proudly displayed on the watch’s dial. The significance of this yellow, blue, red, and black banner was its representation of the letter “Z”, which signifies the time at the zero meridian in Greenwich, London. Now known as Universal Time (UTC +0), in professional aviation, it is more simply referred to as “Zulu Time” and remains in use amongst pilots and navigators to this day, due to the clarity of its communication over radio.
Now, in celebration of a century since the milestone that saw Longines transfer simultaneous time-zone tracking onto the wrist for the first time, the gorgeous new Spirit Zulu Time 1925 pairs the appetite of adventure that has always been at the heart of the Spirit Zulu Time collection with rose-gold aesthetics that lean into globetrotting’s luxurious side.
First-Class Form
The first thing we have to address when it comes to the new 39-mm commemorative edition Spirit Zulu Time 1925 is that incredible 18K rose-gold cap circular-brushed insert sitting atop the bidirectional rotating bezel. More than just a head-turner, it features 24-hour graduations that enable the wearer to track a third time zone, making the whole affair a perfect fit for the first-class cabin jetsetter if ever we’ve seen one.
Not only is this use of rose gold a first for the Spirit Zulu Time collection, but it also holds genuine significance for the origins of synchronised world time. By that, we mean the copper contained within the rose gold pays homage to the copper strip marking the Prime (“zero”) Meridian embedded in the ground at the 350-year-old Royal Observatory at Greenwich. It’s a wonderful nod to the history of timekeeping.
Exploring the timepiece beyond that remarkable headline feature, the stainless steel case houses a matte black dial that contrasts beautifully with the watch’s rose gold-coloured hands and indexes. Legibility under all conditions is enhanced further with Super-LumiNova® treatment applied to the hands and hour markers. Positioned above the discreet date window at the 6 o’clock marker are five stars representing the high quality and accuracy of the movement inside, while the years “1925 – 2025” are engraved in a subtle tone-on-tone finish.
Further, in twin firsts for the Longines Spirit Zulu Time collection, this commemorative edition features a transparent case back that reveals a rose gold-coloured PVD rotor with a special engraving of a planisphere with the Prime Meridian running through its centre.
For True Travellers
Having mentioned the movement inside, let’s take a closer look. It’s important to note that the new release is a true (or “traveller”) GMT watch, meaning that it features a movement complex enough to keep up with you as you jetset from one time zone to another (as opposed to just tracking another time zone from the comfort of home).
The watch is powered by the exclusive Longines calibre L844.4, a self-winding mechanical movement featuring a silicon balance spring, as well as a selection of innovative components that make it up to 10 times more resistant to magnetic fields than required by the ISO 764 standard. It also packs a power reserve of up to 72 hours and boasts chronometer certification from the Official Swiss Chronometer Testing Institute (COSC).
Plus, to maximise comfort no matter your destination, the Longines Spirit Zulu Time 1925 comes with both a stainless steel bracelet featuring a double-folding safety clasp and a black NATO strap with a pin buckle.
Here’s to More Adventures to Come…
Having made a splash with this glorious commemorative edition, Longines will continue to expand the Spirit Zulu Time 1925 collection later this year with stainless steel releases in 39 mm and 42 mm. Each will feature an elegant bidirectional rotating bezel and ceramic insert with a 24-hour scale divided into two shades: matte black and intense polished black. Rose gold will once again provide accents across the watch that contrast perfectly with that same sophisticated black dial, resulting in a timepiece that acts as a perfect, understated sibling to the commemorative edition.
What’s more, Longines has also introduced new 39 mm and 42 mm Spirit Zulu Time references featuring blue ceramic bezels that contrast with their accompanying anthracite dials to striking effect.
Regardless of which of these intoxicating timepieces catches your eye, there’s little argument that 2025 is the year of the Spirit Zulu Time. And with the Longines Spirit Zulu Time 1925 commemorative edition available now for AUD$6,925, what better companion could be by your side as you set off on your next time zone-hopping adventure?
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