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Inspired by a 100-Year Legacy: Longines Spirit Zulu Time 1925

23 May 2025
Inspired by a 100-Year Legacy: Longines Spirit Zulu Time 1925

To mark the centennial of the world’s first dual-time zone wristwatch, Longines proudly unveils the Spirit Zulu Time 1925, a tribute to a pioneering chapter in horological history.

Inspired By A 100-Year Legacy: Longines Spirit Zulu Time 1925

As the first watchmaker to develop both a pocket watch with a GMT function and a wristwatch displaying two time zones, Longines has long been a trusted companion for globetrotters. This legacy began in the late 19th century and found its roots in a rapidly changing world. At that time, as global trade gained momentum and the Eastern Express connected Paris to Istanbul, the Ottoman Empire was grappling with synchronizing local timekeeping with Western standards. While alaturka time, based on the sun’s movement, still dominated daily life, the demands of international commerce required fluency in alafranga (Western) time as well.

In response to this need, the Ottoman Palace invited Longines to offer a solution. In 1908, the Swiss watchmaker created the world’s first pocket watch with a GMT function—capable of simultaneously displaying both alaturka and alafranga time. This innovative timepiece quickly became a tool for Ottoman railway workers. By 1911, Longines had applied for a patent for the GMT feature, setting the foundation for a new era in timekeeping.

Longines Spirit Zulu Time 1925
What is the GMT Function?
A GMT watch displays two time zones simultaneously, typically using a 24-hour hand that points to a second time scale.

Shortly after crafting the groundbreaking pocket watch for the Ottoman Empire, Longines achieved yet another milestone in 1925 with the introduction of the world’s first wristwatch capable of displaying two time zones simultaneously. This innovative timepiece featured a distinctive “Zulu” flag on the dial—positioned at the 12 o’clock mark toward the center—which would go on to inspire the name of the Spirit Zulu collection. The Zulu flag was not just a decorative element; it referenced the aviation term “Z Time” or “Zulu Time,” the equivalent of what we commonly refer to as UTC or GMT (Greenwich Mean Time). In aviation and maritime contexts, Zulu Time—representing “UTC +0”—has long been essential for ensuring safety, synchronization, and accurate navigation across international operations. Designed originally for the Royal Canadian Navy, this pioneering wristwatch marked the beginning of Longines’ commitment to serving globetrotters and professionals navigating multiple time zones. For more than a century since, Longines has continued to craft impeccable timekeeping instruments that transcend borders and unite distant worlds.

Longines Spirit Zulu Time 1925
Introduced in 1925, the Spirit Zulu came in an 18-carat white gold case and was driven by Longines’ hand-wound caliber 10.68N.

In the years following the debut of the Spirit Zulu, Longines’ GMT timepieces quickly became indispensable tools for pilots navigating the skies. In the early 1930s, the brand introduced one of the earliest true GMT cockpit watches. Unveiled in 1931 and dedicated to legendary aviators Clyde Pangborn and Hugh Herndon, this model featured a 24-hour pilot dial with dual hour and minute hands, allowing for precise timekeeping across zones. Around the same period, Longines also launched the remarkable Weems watch—a pilot’s wristwatch fitted with two independently adjustable sets of hands. Its dual minute hands and single hour hand enabled the display of a second time zone, all within a robust 47.5 mm silver case. Further advancing cockpit instrumentation, Longines introduced another notable model in 1937: the Longines Cockpit Clock. Measuring an impressive 82.5 mm in diameter, it stood out with its rotating bezel and luminous dial, reinforcing Longines’ legacy as a pioneer in aviation timekeeping.

Inspired By A 100-Year Legacy: Longines Spirit Zulu Time 1925

The Rebirth of a Legacy
Longines Spirit Zulu Time 1925


Reviving the heritage of a pioneering collection, the Spirit Zulu Time GMT was reintroduced in a bold 42 mm stainless steel case—an homage to its storied past. A year later, the line expanded to include 39 mm versions, offering refined options with black, anthracite, or blue dials. In the summer of 2024, the Spirit Zulu family reached new heights with the addition of models crafted from lightweight yet resilient Grade 5 titanium. Then, in 2025, marking the centennial of the original Spirit Zulu, Longines unveiled the Spirit Zulu Time 1925 series—a modern tribute to a century of horological innovation and timeless elegance.

Longines Spirit Zulu Time 1925

“The Spirit Zulu Time 1925’s pink gold-plated bezel with copper accents pays tribute to the copper strip that once marked the prime meridian in Greenwich 350 years ago.”

From 1925 to 2025

In celebration of a century of watchmaking excellence, the Spirit Zulu Time 1925 is introduced in a refined 39 mm stainless steel case, proudly honoring the legacy that began in 1925. A standout feature is its bidirectional rotating bezel, crafted in 18-karat pink gold infused with copper—a material choice steeped in symbolism. This copper hue pays tribute to the historic copper strip that marked the prime meridian at the Royal Observatory in Greenwich some 350 years ago. The bezel, adorned with 24-hour markers, also allows wearers to track a third time zone with ease.

Inspired By A 100-Year Legacy: Longines Spirit Zulu Time 1925

The matte black dial offers a striking backdrop for pink gold-toned hands and indices, which both contrast beautifully with the dial’s depth and harmonize with the warm tones of the bezel. The GMT hand features a pink gold-coated tip for added elegance. Flanking the date window at 6 o’clock, the years 1925 and 2025 are delicately engraved—subtle yet powerful nods to the model’s commemorative essence.

Inspired By A 100-Year Legacy: Longines Spirit Zulu Time 1925

Inside, the Spirit Zulu Time 1925 is powered by the in-house caliber L844.4, a COSC-certified automatic movement offering a 72-hour power reserve. Beating at a frequency of 25,200 vibrations per hour, the movement’s rotor is engraved with a depiction of the planisphere and the prime meridian—an artistic reflection of the model’s global inspiration. This exquisite craftsmanship is visible through the transparent case back, a new and welcome addition to the Spirit Zulu collection.

Inspired By A 100-Year Legacy: Longines Spirit Zulu Time 1925
The Longines Spirit Zulu Time 1925 is offered with either a stainless steel bracelet featuring a double folding clasp or a black NATO strap secured with a buckle.

In addition to the Spirit Zulu Time 1925 anniversary edition, the Spirit Zulu collection expands with new models in 39 mm and 42 mm case sizes. These latest additions feature a bidirectional rotating bezel inlaid with blue ceramic, marked with 24-hour graduations for effortless second time zone tracking. The sandblasted anthracite dial is paired with gold-colored Arabic numerals, creating a striking visual contrast. Gold-toned hands complement the dial’s rich texture, while the arrow-tipped black GMT hand is also accented with gold-colored coating for added distinction. Completing the design is a stainless steel bracelet, combining durability with timeless appeal. At the heart of these new timepieces beats the COSC-certified automatic caliber L844.4, ensuring accuracy, reliability, and a 72-hour power reserve.

Inspired By A 100-Year Legacy: Longines Spirit Zulu Time 1925
The watches are water-resistant up to 100 meters.

Honoring a century of horological excellence from 1925 to 2025, the Spirit Zulu Time 1925 debuted on the wrist of Longines’ Ambassador of Elegance, Henry Cavill. For Cavill, the Spirit Zulu Time is more than a precision instrument—it’s a symbol of enduring connection. The acclaimed actor shares that each glance at his watch evokes a sense of closeness with loved ones across the globe, bridging emotional distance through time. With the Spirit Zulu Time 1925, Longines invites us to journey through its storied legacy, while also exploring the deeply human relationship we share with time. It’s a tribute that resonates with a universal question—one that links us all, wherever we are: What time is it there?

Inspired By A 100-Year Legacy: Longines Spirit Zulu Time 1925