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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sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →The Longines Spirit Zulu Time is a mechanical GMT watch family with 39mm and 42mm steel options, plus a 39mm Grade 5 titanium version. Its practical appeal is the combination of a second time zone, a rotating 24-hour bezel, and up to 72 hours of stated power reserve. But there is no single price for “the Zulu Time”: reference, strap or bracelet, and market all matter. The specifications below are official listings; the independent hands-on dimensions are from Hodinkee’s 2023 coverage, not measurements made for this article.
What the Spirit Zulu Time is—and what “Zulu” means
Longines says the collection launched in 2022 and takes its name from the brand’s first dual-time-zone wristwatch, made in 1925 with a dial featuring the Zulu flag. In aviation, “Zulu” is the letter Z used to designate universal time. That history is the brand’s account of the name and lineage, rather than a claim that today’s watch is a direct reproduction of the 1925 model. Longines’ 2023 release introduced the 39mm steel version; its 2024 announcement added a 39mm Grade 5 titanium option.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
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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 |
| 3 |
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LONGINES Spirit Zulu Time 39MM Automatic Watch | $3,550.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
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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 |
How the GMT works
The Zulu Time’s GMT display lets you track a second time zone on a 24-hour scale, while the rotating bezel can be used to read another zone against that scale. For a traveler, this is useful for keeping home time visible while following local time. The exact setting sequence depends on the movement and should be followed from Longines’ instructions: the official 42mm product page links an L844 GMT how-to. Do not assume that every GMT watch adjusts local time in the same way; consult that guide for the crown positions and hand-setting procedure for this calibre.
39mm or 42mm: fit and dimensions
The smaller case is not simply a thinner version. Hodinkee’s 2023 hands-on report gives the 39mm steel model dimensions of 13.2mm thick and 46.7mm lug-to-lug. Those are useful fit references, but they are the publication’s reported figures, not independent measurements for this article. The provided official pages do not state comparable thickness or lug-to-lug figures for the 42mm reference, so a precise dimension-for-dimension comparison is not established here.
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- 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
| Option | What the cited sources establish | Best fit consideration |
|---|---|---|
| 39mm steel | 13.2mm thick and 46.7mm lug-to-lug, as reported by Hodinkee in 2023; official cited example is on leather. | Consider if you prefer a more compact diameter; check the exact strap or bracelet version before buying. |
| 42mm steel | Official cited US example is on a steel bracelet; the cited official page does not give thickness or lug-to-lug. | Consider if you prefer the larger case presence; try it on if case length or thickness is a concern. |
| 39mm Grade 5 titanium | Longines announced the material and 39mm size in 2024; the cited release does not provide a comparative weight figure. | A material alternative in the smaller size; do not infer its weight advantage from the source alone. |
Case diameter alone cannot determine wrist fit. Lug-to-lug length, thickness, lug shape, bracelet articulation, and personal preference all affect how a watch wears. For the 42mm model, an in-person try-on is the soundest way to judge those factors because the cited official page does not supply the corresponding dimensions.
Specifications and current listed prices
These are two specific official configurations and regional listings accessed in 2026, not a like-for-like price comparison. Prices can change, and neither figure should be generalized to every size, material, strap, or market.
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
| Reference and market | Configuration | Published specifications | Displayed price |
|---|---|---|---|
| L3.802.4.93.2, Switzerland | 39mm stainless steel; blue sunray dial; leather strap with double-security folding clasp and micro-adjustment | Ceramic bezel; GMT and date; monocrystalline silicon balance spring; power reserve up to 72 hours; 10 bar water resistance; scratch-resistant sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating on both sides | CHF 2,900 on the official Swiss product page, accessed 2026 |
| L3.812.4.93.6, United States | 42mm steel; blue sunray dial; steel bracelet with double-safety folding clasp and push-piece opening | Ceramic bezel; GMT and date; silicon balance spring; power reserve up to 72 hours; 10 bar water resistance; sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating | $3,550 on the official US product page, accessed 2026; the page lists seven variations |
The Swiss 42mm leather-strap reference L3.812.4.93.2 is listed at CHF 2,900 on its official Swiss page. Its price illustrates why a size alone is not enough to identify a price. Hodinkee quoted $3,150 including bracelet for the 39mm steel model in 2023; that is a launch-era figure, not current pricing, and differs in date, market context, and configuration from the current listings above.
What the published specifications mean in daily use
Up to 72 hours of power reserve
Longines specifies up to 72 hours of reserve for the cited steel examples. In practical terms, a fully wound watch can continue running for up to that stated period when not being worn, though the listing is a specification rather than a guarantee of identical performance in every circumstance.
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- 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
10 bar water resistance
The cited official references are rated to 10 bar. This is a published water-resistance specification, not a statement that the watch is a dive watch; follow Longines’ care guidance and ensure the crown is secured before water exposure.
COSC certification on the titanium addition
Longines’ 15 August 2024 press release says the 39mm Grade 5 titanium model’s calibre is COSC chronometer certified. The release describes it as: “This authentic tool-watch offers cutting-edge precision thanks to its exclusive Longines GMT calibre certified as a chronometer by the COSC (Contrôle Officiel Suisse des Chronomètres).” “Cutting-edge precision” is Longines’ promotional wording; certification is the specific claim in that statement, not an independent performance test reported here.
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
Video and hands-on context
Longines’ official 2023 media page and 2024 media page include brand press assets and video embeds. Those are manufacturer materials, not independent reviews. Hodinkee’s 2023 hands-on article provides independent editorial context for the 39mm steel version, including its reported dimensions and launch-era pricing. No video creator’s testing method is established by those sources, so an embedded third-party review should be treated as that creator’s account rather than as a test performed for this review.
Quick Recap
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
Who should consider the Longines Spirit Zulu Time?
- Choose the 39mm steel version if the more compact stated diameter appeals and the leather or bracelet configuration you want is available in your market.
- Consider the 42mm steel version if you prefer a larger case and bracelet setup, but try it on if fit is uncertain because the cited source does not state its lug-to-lug or thickness.
- Look at the 39mm titanium version if titanium is your preferred case material; Longines announced it in Grade 5 titanium and stated COSC certification for its calibre.
- Compare exact references, not only size labels when checking retail pricing, since strap or bracelet, regional market, and reference number alter what a listing represents.
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.
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