Longines Marks a Century of Dual Timekeeping with the Spirit Zulu Time 1925
In a celebration that spans both time and tradition, Longines unveils the Spirit Zulu Time 1925, a commemorative timepiece marking the 100th anniversary of its first dual-time zone wristwatch. Rooted in a rich legacy of horological innovation, this special edition pays homage to the pioneering 1925 Zulu Time model, while embracing the refined precision and aesthetics of modern-day Swiss watchmaking.
Longines’ journey through time zone mastery began well before the Zulu Time wristwatch, with the brand’s “Turkish Watches”–dual-time pocket watches crafted for the Ottoman Empire in 1908. But it was in 1925 that the brand with the winged hour glass made history, introducing a wristwatch that could read two time zones at once. It featured a dial adorned with the “Zulu” maritime flag–a nod to UTC+0 time, long vital to pilots and navigators the world over.
In 2022, Longines reimagined this iconic timepiece with the debut of the Longines Spirit Zulu Time collection, showcasing precise GMT functionality with three time zones in a bold, refined aesthetic. Originally introduced in a 42mm stainless steel case, the line was later expanded to include a smaller 39mm version and a lightweight titanium iteration.
Two firsts for the Spirit Zulu Time
Fast forward to 2025: the Spirit Zulu Time 1925 debuts in a 39mm stainless steel timepiece but features a series of firsts for the collection, including a bidirectional rotating bezel with a brushed 18K rose-gold cap and engraved 24-hour. The rose gold not only adds a touch of elegance but subtly references the copper meridian strip at Greenwich–the birthplace of Zulu Time.
The matt black dial strikes a bold contrast against rose-gold-colored hands and hour markers, all treated with Superluminova for night-time legibility. Five polished stars at 6 o’clock–Longines’ mark of excellence and a signature of the Spirit line–sit above the date window and a tone-on-tone “1925–2025” engraving, anchoring the design in its centennial roots.
The case back, another first for the collection, is fitted with a sapphire crystal that reveals a rose-gold PVD rotor, engraved with a world map and the Prime Meridian. Beneath the surface, the watch is powered by the chronometer-certified Longines Caliber L844.4 which beats with 25,200 vibrations per hour. This self-winding movement boasts a silicon balance spring and enhanced anti-magnetic properties and offers a robust 72-hour power reserve. Like its predecessors, the L844.4 has earned a chronometer C.O.S.C. certificate.
The Spirit Zulu Time 1925 arrives with both a stainless steel bracelet and a black NATO strap, and is housed in a special-edition presentation box.
Pricing is marked at $4,350.
Three more releases announced
This anniversary release also signals an evolution for the collection: Longines will introduce new Spirit Zulu Time models later this year in both 39mm and 42mm sizes. These upcoming references will feature ceramic bezels in black and blue with dual-tone finishes and share the collection’s signature black dial and gold accents as well as the closed case back.
The three models are priced at $3,300 each.
To learn more, visit Longines, here.
