Longines marks 100 years of dual timekeeping with the Spirit Zulu Time 1925
In a centenary celebration of horological heritage, Swiss watchmaker Longines has unveiled the Spirit Zulu Time 1925, a commemorative edition honouring the brand’s 1925 release of the world’s first dual-time zone wristwatch.
Known for its pioneering role in global timekeeping, Longines draws a direct line from its early innovations—such as the 1908 “Turkish Watches” designed for the Ottoman Empire—to this modern GMT timepiece aimed at today’s international traveller.
The Zulu moniker, derived from the NATO phonetic alphabet for “Z,” refers to the zero meridian time zone—Greenwich Mean Time, or what’s now known as UTC+0. This system remains standard for aviation and maritime navigation, and the new watch channels that legacy with modern flair.
The new release comes with a 39mm stainless-steel case, a first-of-its-kind rose gold-capped rotating bezel, and a matte black dial contrasted by rose-gold hands and markers treated with Super-LumiNova®. A subtle engraving of the years “1925 – 2025” marks the model as a centennial edition, while a transparent caseback showcases the Longines-exclusive L844.4 movement.
Certified by the Official Swiss Chronometer Testing Institute (COSC), the movement features a silicon balance spring, boasts a 72-hour power reserve, and is highly resistant to magnetic fields—meeting the demands of the modern globetrotter.
Significantly, the bezel allows the tracking of a third time zone, extending the practicality of the GMT complication beyond its traditional dual function. The inclusion of rose gold is more than aesthetic: it symbolically nods to the copper meridian line embedded at the Royal Observatory in Greenwich, the birthplace of Zulu (or GMT+0) time.
Beyond the anniversary edition, Longines has also expanded the Spirit Zulu Time range with additional models in both 39mm and 42mm sizes, introducing options with ceramic bezels and black dials that echo the rose-gold aesthetic of the flagship commemorative model.
For a brand steeped in the legacy of aviation and maritime navigation, the Spirit Zulu Time 1925 represents a combination of precision engineering and storytelling—offering wearers not just a tool of time, but a tangible link across generations and geographies.
Eight Watches That Chart a Century of Time Zone Mastery
From Ottoman timekeeping to 21st-century GMT precision, Longines has spent over 100 years perfecting the art of global horology.
1908 – The Turkish Watches
A pioneering pocket watch built for cross-cultural timekeeping, this 49mm model displayed Turkish and Western European time simultaneously. It boasted five hands and a calibre 18.69N movement—earning a patent by 1911.
1925 – Zulu Time Wristwatch
The world’s first dual time zone wristwatch. Made for the Royal Canadian Navy, it used the “Zulu” signal flag to denote GMT+0. Housed in a square 18-carat white gold case with calibre 10.68N.
1930 – Longines Weems
Named after aviation navigator Philip Van Horn Weems, this pilot’s watch featured independently adjustable hands for a second time zone. Its 47.5mm case carried the trusty 18.69N movement.
1931 – Cockpit Clock
Built for aviators Clyde Pangborn and Hugh Herndon’s historic Pacific crossing, this 90.5mm instrument synchronised with radio signals and displayed a full 24-hour dial using calibre 18.69N.
1935 – Ref. 3775 Pilot’s Watch
A technical leap, this was the first wristwatch to use a rotating inner bezel—protected under glass—later inspiring the Longines Legend Diver. It featured the 12.68Z calibre.
1937 – Cockpit Clock
An aviation tool with dual time zone functionality, thanks to a rotating bezel and luminous indicators. Powered once again by the calibre 18.69N, in an 82.5mm case.
2022 – Spirit Zulu Time, Ref. L3.812.4.63.2
A modern GMT sports watch with a 42mm case and a ceramic bezel. COSC-certified and powered by the exclusive L844.4 calibre, it reintroduced Zulu heritage for today’s traveller.
2025 – Spirit Zulu Time 1925, Ref. L3.803.5.53.6
Marking 100 years of dual-time wristwatches, this 39mm edition updates the original with a rose gold-capped bezel and the same GMT-certified L844.4 movement. A tribute to Longines’ pioneering spirit.
Images of Henry Cavill and watches courtesy of Longines, artwork by Curatedition. All rights reserved.
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