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Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →The Longines Spirit Zulu Time is an automatic travel GMT whose local hour hand adjusts independently, so travelers can change local time without resetting the watch’s minute and seconds display. Its official 39 mm specification includes a ceramic 24-hour bezel, COSC-certified movement, silicon balance-spring, up to 72 hours of power reserve, and 10 bar water resistance. The 39 mm steel-bracelet reference L3.802.4.63.6 was listed at $3,550 on Longines’ U.S. site when checked for this review; price and availability can change.
The main choice is whether the size and fit suit your wrist. Hodinkee measured its 39 mm sample at 46.7 mm lug-to-lug and 21 mm between the lugs; Fratello reported a 49 mm lug-to-lug span for the original 42 mm version. Those measurements and wearing impressions come from other publications, not a hands-on test for this article.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
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LONGINES Spirit Zulu Time 39MM Automatic Watch | $3,550.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
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LONGINES Spirit Zulu Time 42MM Automatic Watch | $3,550.00 | Buy on Amazon |
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LONGINES Spirit Zulu Time 39MM Automatic Watch | $3,550.00 | Buy on Amazon |
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LONGINES Spirit Zulu Time 39MM Automatic Watch | $3,550.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 5 |
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LONGINES Spirit 42MM Automatic Watch | $3,450.00 | Buy on Amazon |
What makes the Spirit Zulu Time a travel GMT?
A “flyer” or “traveler” GMT lets you move the local hour hand independently, usually in one-hour steps. The Longines Spirit Zulu Time has this arrangement: the local hour can be changed while the watch continues running and the 24-hour GMT hand remains available to track another time zone. That is useful when arriving somewhere with a different local time.
The bidirectional bezel has a 24-hour scale and can be used with the GMT hand to read another time zone. It is a time-zone display, not a dive-timing bezel. Longines traces the Zulu Time name to its first dual-time wristwatch, made in 1925, and explains the name’s connection to the “Z” designation for universal time in aviation.
#1 Best Overall
- Automatic L844 movement, hours, minutes, seconds and date. 24 hours hand with time zone mechanism
- Stainless steel with double safety folding clasp and push-piece opening mechanism
- 5 Year International Warranty
How to use the GMT functions
- Set the reference time. Use the 24-hour GMT hand to track home time or another time zone, following the instructions for your exact reference.
- Adjust local time when traveling. Use the independent local-hour adjustment to change the hour without resetting the minute and seconds display.
- Check the date around midnight. Hodinkee reports that the date follows the local hour and can move forward or backward as the local hour crosses midnight.
- Use the bezel for an additional time-zone reading. Rotate the bidirectional 24-hour bezel in relation to the GMT hand, using the scale to read another zone. Consult the manual for the exact setting procedure.
The bezel does not provide a third independently adjustable hour display. It offers another reading by pairing the movable 24-hour scale with the GMT hand.
Longines Spirit Zulu Time specifications
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Movement | Longines automatic calibre L844.4 |
| GMT function | Independently adjustable local hour hand |
| Certification | COSC-certified chronometer |
| Balance-spring | Silicon |
| Power reserve | Up to approximately 72 hours, according to Longines |
| Bezel | Bidirectional rotating 24-hour bezel with ceramic insert |
| Crystal | Sapphire with anti-reflective coating |
| Crown | Screw-in |
| Water resistance | 10 bar (100 meters), according to Longines |
| 39 mm reference discussed | L3.802.4.63.6, anthracite dial on steel bracelet |
Movement and accuracy
Longines identifies the L844.4 as an automatic, COSC-certified movement with a silicon balance-spring and approximately 72 hours of power reserve. COSC certification describes the movement’s certification; it is not a guarantee that every watch will show the same daily rate on every wrist or in every position.
Hodinkee reports that its loaner sample averaged +5 seconds per day over six positions in that publication’s test. This is one reviewer’s result for one sample, not a measurement for this article or a prediction for every owner’s watch.
Rank #2
- Automatic L844 movement, hours, minutes, seconds and date. 24 hours hand with time zone mechanism
- Stainless steel with double safety folding clasp and push-piece opening mechanism
- 5 Year International Warranty
Size and fit: 39 mm versus 42 mm
The two sizes differ in wrist presence, but diameter alone does not determine fit. Case shape, lug span, wrist shape, and personal preference all matter, so try the exact configuration if possible.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →| Version | Reported dimensions | Fit considerations |
|---|---|---|
| 39 mm | Hodinkee measured its sample at 39 mm wide, 13.2 mm thick, 46.7 mm lug-to-lug, and 21 mm between the lugs. Longines’ 2023 press kit lists 13.50 mm thickness. | The shorter reported lug span may suit buyers seeking a smaller footprint. Thickness figures vary by source; check the actual watch on your wrist. |
| Original 42 mm | Fratello reported 13.9 mm thickness and a 49 mm lug-to-lug span for the version it reviewed. | The larger format has more wrist presence. Fit remains personal; pay attention to lug overhang and comfort. |
The measurement differences above reflect the cited sources and configurations; they should not be treated as a guarantee that every reference measures identically. The 39 mm steel-bracelet reference discussed here has 21 mm between the lugs, according to Hodinkee’s measurement. Confirm lug width and strap compatibility for the exact reference before buying a replacement strap.
Bracelet, clasp, and straps
Hodinkee describes the 39 mm bracelet it reviewed as well made and equipped with quick release. That review also notes that its clasp uses traditional five-position adjustment rather than on-the-fly micro-adjustment. This is a reviewer’s observation about that configuration, not a claim about every bracelet or strap clasp in the collection.
Rank #3
- Automatic L844 movement, hours, minutes, seconds and date. 24 hours hand with time zone mechanism
- Stainless steel with double safety folding clasp and push-piece opening mechanism
- 5 Year International Warranty
Clasp features can vary by size and strap or bracelet configuration. Fratello’s review of a 42 mm configuration describes a ratcheting micro-adjust mechanism on the leather strap’s deployant clasp. Longines’ 2023 press kit lists interchangeable leather straps and a steel bracelet for its references. Check the exact reference and included hardware before choosing a strap or assuming a particular adjustment feature.
Is the Longines Spirit Zulu Time a dive watch?
No. Longines lists 10 bar (100 meters) water resistance for the 39 mm specification, but the bidirectional bezel is graduated for 24-hour time-zone reading, not dive timing. Treat it as a water-resistant travel watch, not as a dedicated dive instrument.
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Price and buying considerations
Longines’ U.S. listing for reference L3.802.4.63.6, the 39 mm anthracite-dial model on a steel bracelet, displayed $3,550 and a five-year warranty when checked for this review. That price applies to this specific reference and market at the time of the research; it is not a universal price for every Spirit Zulu Time configuration. Verify the current price, availability, reference, and warranty terms before purchase.
Rank #4
- Automatic L844 movement, hours, minutes, seconds and date. 24 hours hand with time zone mechanism
- Stainless steel with double safety folding clasp and push-piece opening mechanism
Longines provides a retailer-finding route on its U.S. site. No particular marketplace listing, seller, or affiliate offer was verified for this review. Confirm seller provenance and warranty conditions directly rather than assuming that a listing is authorized or covered.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Is the Longines Spirit Zulu Time worth the price?
Its case for the price rests on the travel-focused GMT layout, COSC certification, silicon balance-spring, ceramic bezel, and up-to-72-hour reserve specified by Longines. Whether that package is worth the price depends on fit, the exact configuration, and how much you value an independently adjustable local hour hand. Compare current local prices and purchase terms rather than relying on old launch prices for other watches.
FAQ
Is the Longines Spirit Zulu Time a true GMT?
Yes. Its local hour hand adjusts independently while the GMT hand can continue to indicate another time zone, making it a traveler-style or flyer GMT.
Best Value
- Automatic L844 movement, hours, minutes, seconds and date. 24 hours hand with time zone mechanism
- Brown Leather strap with double security folding clasp with micro adjustment system
- 5 Year International Warranty
What is the difference between the 39 mm and 42 mm Zulu Time?
The main difference is size and wrist presence. Hodinkee measured its 39 mm sample at 46.7 mm lug-to-lug, while Fratello reported 49 mm lug-to-lug for the original 42 mm version. These are reviewer measurements; try the watch on if fit is a priority.
How does the Zulu Time GMT hand work?
The 24-hour GMT hand tracks a second time zone while the local hour hand can be adjusted independently for travel. The bidirectional 24-hour bezel can be used with the GMT hand for another time-zone reading.
How accurate is the Longines Spirit Zulu Time?
Longines identifies the movement as COSC-certified, but that does not promise an identical daily rate for every watch. Hodinkee reported +5 seconds per day over six positions for its own loaner sample; that result is not a guarantee for an individual watch.
What is the current U.S. price?
The Longines U.S. listing for the 39 mm steel-bracelet reference L3.802.4.63.6 displayed $3,550 when checked for this review. Prices and availability may change, so verify the exact reference and current listing before buying.
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Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
