The all-new Longines Spirit Zulu Time Titanium

A product of the renaissance

If you haven’t looked at Longines in a while, you should consider a peek sooner rather than later. I’m going to say it all began in 2020. Of course, I am talking about the renaissance. Or, at least, what feels like one to someone on the outside looking in. Why 2020? Well, I’d accept arguments for 2017 (Aviation Big Eye), and maybe even 2018 (Heritage Skin Diver). But in 2020, Longines launched the Spirit Collection. Unlike many of their popular vintage-inspired timepieces, the Spirit Collection is brand new. While it features designs cues from past models—most notably the Admiral—each watch is an original design. And they’re all great. Especially the Longines Spirit Zulu Time Titanium.

Longines Spirit Zulu Time Titanium Watch Review — ^{Longines Spirit Zulu Time Titanium @calibre321}

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Since the launch of the first Spirit watch, Longines have issued a chronograph, a flyback chronograph, and an enormously popular GMT to bolster the collection. They come in sizes ranging from 37mm to 42mm and they come in dozens of colours and several different case materials. As though inspired by this sequence of success, the brand has also rewritten the Conquest Collection, adding a dive GMT and a racing chronograph—which are also both completely new designs. They have also perfected the Legend Diver in a tasty 39mm iteration.

So, yeah. I’m gonna call it a renaissance.

Amongst all of these successful releases, however, one does stand pretty tall. And that’s the Spirit Zulu Time. We reviewed the 42mm version two years ago, almost to the day. We have also featured the 39mm model. However, today we have what might just be the piece de resistance: the Spirit Zulu Time Titanium.

Key Features of the Longines Spirit Zulu Time Titanium

Like all pieces in the Spirit Collection, the Zulu Time GMT hearkens back to the brand’s storied history in aviation—without, itself, being historical. The brand has, of course, released a titanium version before in the Limited Edition with Hodinkee; however, that watch marked a departure in style and aesthetic from the rest of the line. This latest piece looks and feels like the Spirit Zulu Time we know and love.

Like the other 39mm iterations, the Spirit Zulu Time Titanium measures 46.8mm lug to lug and is 13.5mm in height. If that sounds thick to you, note that because it wears quite flat, much of this height disappears on wrist. A little more is devoted to the curved sapphire crystal. It remains, however, a funky 21mm at the lugs. Though that would be my only quibble.

The watch has a screw down crown and the case back is attached to the mid-case with screws. Together, they help offer up 100m of water resistance—which isn’t bad for pilot’s watch.

As the watch is fashioned from titanium and comes on a matching titanium bracelet, it is also quite light. Both the case and the bracelet impress with their finishing. Many other titanium offerings at this price point opt for full brushing due to the increased difficulty in working with a dense material. Here, however, we see an interesting blend, with polished chamfers on both the case and bracelet.

When you pair this with the ceramic bezel insert, the result is a slightly elevated for a tool watch. The aforementioned insert, is also unique in that its 24-hour register divides day from night, not by colour, but through changing the finish from polished to matte. The effect is subtle, but distinctive.

The dial is matte anthracite and laid out similarly to other watches in the collection. It uses applied gilt numerals and a slim sword handset—both of which have been lumed, along with the pip at twelve and the arrow-tipped GMT hand. It also features the line’s somewhat controversial 5-star applique.

The watch is powered by the Longines’ exclusive L844.4. It is COSC-certified and features a jumping hour, alongside the GMT functionality. It has a 3.5Hz beat rate and 72-hour power reserve. Due, in part, to its silicon balance spring, the movement is also ISO 764 compliant for its anti-magnetism.

Specs

Case	Titanium 39mm Diameter 46.8mm Lug to Lug 13.5mm Thick 21mm Lug Width Six-Screw Case Back & Screw Down Crown 24-Hour Bidirectional Bezel /w Ceramic Insert 100m Water Resistance
Dial & Crystal	Curved Sapphire Crystal /w AR Applied Indices Super-LumiNova
Movement	Longines L844.4 “Jumping-Hour” GMT COSC & ISO 764 Certified Date Complication @ 6 21 Jewels 25 200bph 72-Hour Power Reserve
Strap	Titanium Bracelet with Milled Clasp

Longines Spirit Zulu Time Titanium

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Final Thoughts

I have admired the Spirit Zulu Time since its inception as a 42mm timepiece. It’s the brand’s flagship piece, in my opinion (even if they have named another collection as such). It bridges the gap between heritage models and their more modern collections like the Hydroconquest and VHP lines. It also helps them tell their story—which had faltered somewhat prior to 2020. No other brand at this price point has managed to create a wholly new flyer GMT with as much success. In fact, I dare say that this might become ‘the’ watch people think of when you mention Longines in the future—in the same way that people think Black Bay 58 with Tudor, or Nautilus with Patek, etc.

Pricing & Availability

The Longines Spirit Zulu Time Titanium retails for $4275USD ($5300CAD). For more information, please visit the brand website.

^{The best knife is the one you carry everyday}

About the author

Brent Robillard is a writer, educator, craftsman, and watch enthusiast. He is the author of four novels. You can follow him on Instagram.

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