Longines Spirit Zulu Time 1925: celebrating 100 years of dual-timekeeping

Longines has released the Spirit Zulu Time 1925 to celebrate the 100th anniversary of their first dual time watch, introduced in 1925. Price €4,550

Longines has released the Spirit Zulu Time 1925 to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Swiss brand’s first dual time zone wristwatch, introduced in 1925.

That original model, named the “Zulu Time”, was the first wristwatch to display two time zones. Its dial featured a colourful maritime flag representing the letter “Z”, a reference to the zero meridian time in Greenwich, London, now known as Universal Time (UTC+0). 

In aviation, this standard is still called “Zulu Time” and is used to avoid confusion between AM and PM when communicating times across different zones. 

Zulu Time remains a key reference for pilots and navigators, ensuring clarity during radio communication. Inspired by that historic timepiece,  in 2022 Longines launched the Spirit Zulu Time collection.


The new commemorative edition features a 39 mm x 13.50 mm stainless steel case and a bidirectional rotating bezel. For the first time in the collection, the bezel includes a circular-brushed insert made of 18 ct rose gold. Its 24-hour markings can be used to track multiple time zones in combination with the black GMT hand, which is tipped with a rose gold-plated arrow.

The use of rose gold, which contains copper, is a nod to the copper strip marking the Prime Meridian at the Royal Observatory in Greenwich, established 350 years ago.

The matt black dial provides a strong contrast with the rose-gold-coloured hands and hour markers, enhancing legibility. Both the hands and markers are treated with white Super-LumiNova, which glows blue in low-light conditions.

The five stars stamped on the dial, just above the 6 o’clock marker, have long symbolised Longines' guarantee of the highest quality movements.

A discreet date window sits below, alongside the years “1925 – 2025” engraved in a subtle tone-on-tone finish, marking the centenary.

The transparent caseback reveals the in-house Calibre L844.4 (A31.L411), which operates at a frequency of 25,200 vibrations per hour and offers a power reserve of 72 hours.

Chronometer-certified by COSC (the Swiss Official Chronometer Testing Institute), this self-winding movement features a silicon balance spring and other innovative components that make it up to ten times more resistant to magnetic fields than required by the ISO 764 standard.

The rose-gold-coloured PVD rotor is engraved with a planisphere, through which the Prime (or “zero”) Meridian runs.

The Longines Spirit Zulu Time 1925, ref. L3.803.5.53.6, is presented in a special-edition box and comes with both a stainless steel bracelet featuring a double-folding safety clasp and a black NATO strap with a pin buckle. Its suggested retail price is €4,550 / US$4,350. longines.com