Introducing: The Longines Spirit Zulu Time – Now In 39mm

What We Know

Last year, Longines introduced the Zulu Time, a collection of six watches in the Spirit family that featured a “flyer” GMT, as my editor James Stacey would call it (that’s a jumping local 12-hour hand, as opposed to the “caller” GMT with a jumping 24-hour hand – for those not familiar with Staceyisms). Look at the comments of that article from last March, and you’ll notice a couple of things: First, at under $3,000, the Spirit Zulu Time was an immediate hit. Second, some were asking for it in 39mm. Well, those wishes have come true as Longines has just introduced four new Spirit Zulu Time models in 39mm, including the option of a two-tone finish.

The downsized Zulu Time is powered by the same COSC-certified L844.4, an ETA base caliber that still has 72 hours of power reserve and a silicon hairspring. The rest of the details on the Zulu Time will be familiar too: it has a ceramic 24-hour bezel, applied Arabic numerals, a date window at 6 o’clock, and comes in a stainless steel case, along with one new reference featuring an 18k gold bezel and crown. Each reference is available on a leather strap or stainless steel bracelet, with the gold-accented version also available on a NATO-style strap. 

The color choices should also be familiar: Sunray blue dial with blue bezel, matte black dial, and black bezel, sandblasted anthracite dial (grey, basically) with green bezel, and that new gold-accented version with a dark brown bezel and anthracite dial. The color combos are subdued and monochromatic, and they all work. 

Longines has kept the price manageable, too: the stainless steel versions are $3,050 stainless steel on a leather strap or $3,150 on a bracelet, while the two-tone options will hit retail at $4,200 on a strap or $4,300 on the steel, quick-release bracelet. 

What We Think

What’s not to like here? It’s a hit release from Longines, now downsized for the rest of us. The standard 42mm Spirit Zulu Time hasn’t gone anywhere, so this is just Longines bringing more options to an already-popular line. The specs read like a checklist for an enthusiast’s watch: Flyer GMT, 39mm, ceramic bezel, a (manageable) 13.5mm thick, and still just a touch over three grand on the bracelet. A couple of weeks ago, I wrote a story about how watch prices were steadily creeping up, at least among the big Swiss brands, leaving those shopping in the $3,000-and-under segment with fewer options. But watches like the Longines Spirit Zulu Time still give me hope and make me excited about this price point.

I’ll have to see these in person to get a real feel, but it seems everything’s been shrunk down in a sensible way, and the 39mm Zulu Time still looks well-proportioned. The design is functional, cohesive, and not too busy. The Longines Spirit Zulu Time stands on its own as a solid watch, but it also seems to stand up to the competition: it’s a thousand bucks cheaper than Tudor’s GMT options and a whole millimeter thinner than the Black Bay Pro (for example).

The new two-tone version (with a gold bezel and crown) also jumped off the page to me. It’s got vintage two-tone GMT vibes – and I love those vibes – but it doesn’t look overdone. At $4,300 on the bracelet (or $4,200 on strap), it’s a reasonable upcharge over the steel models. As soon as I saw the release of shrunk down Spirit Zulu Time, it’s one of those watches I knew we’d have to bring in for proper Hands-On, so stay tuned for more.

The Basics

Brand: Longines
Model: Spirit Zulu Time
Reference Number:
L3.802.4.92.6 | L3.802.4.93.2 (blue on a bracelet or leather strap);
L3.802.4.53.6 | L3.802.4.53.2 (black dial and bezel on bracelet or leather strap);
L3.802.4.63.6 | L3.802.4.63.2 (green bezel and anthracite dial on bracelet or strap);
L3.802.5.53.6 | L3.802.5.53.2 | L3.802.5.53.9 (steel and gold with anthracite dial on bracelet, strap, or NATO-style strap)

Diameter: 39mm
Thickness: 13.5mm
Case Material: Stainless steel; refs. L3.802.5.53.6, L3.802.5.53.2, L3.802.5.53.918k have yellow-gold bezel and crown
Dial Color: Matte black or anthracite (see above)
Crystal: Sapphire
Indexes: Applied Arabic numerals
Lume: Super-LumiNova
Water Resistance: 100 meters
Strap/Bracelet: Stainless steel bracelet, leather strap, and NATO-style options (see above)

The Movement

Caliber: Longines L844.4 (ETA A31.L411 base)
Functions: Date, 24-hour GMT
Diameter: 25.6mm
Power Reserve: 72 hours
Winding: Automatic
Frequency: 25,200 beats per hour
Jewels: 21
Chronometer Certified: Yes, COSC certified
Additional Details: Silicon balance spring

Pricing & Availability

Price: $3,050 stainless steel on leather strap; $3,150 stainless steel on bracelet; $4,200 steel and gold on strap; $4,300 steel and gold on bracelet

For more, visit Longines.com.

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The Hodinkee shop is an authorized retailer of Longines watches.