Longines Adds a Cracking Titanium Spirit Zulu Time to the Collection

Longines’ Spirit collection has been quite the hit from the get-go. The style, fit and finish were on point and ticked a lot of boxes for a lot of people. Since its inception in 2020, we’ve seen quite an impressive and widespread run of pilot-inspired watches in varying degrees of complexity,  colours and even multiple sizes and materials. One of the most standout models, to us at least, has been the Spirit Zulu Time, the robust travel-ready member of the family. Following the Spirit Titanium and Spirit Flyback Chronograph Titanium, Longines has now sent the 39mm sized Spirit Zulu Time on a similar weight-loss course.

The Spirit Zulu Time sub-collection comes in two sizes, but Longines has opted for the smaller 39mm size for this sleek grade 5 titanium version. Personally, I wouldn’t be surprised if there will be a titanium 42mm Spirit Zulu Time somewhere down the line, but in terms of size, this one is pretty much bang on. It’s a touch thick for some, perhaps, standing at 13.50mm thick, but for me, it’s no issue. The titanium case (and bracelet, of course) drastically cuts down the weight of the Spirit Zulu Time. The screw-down crown, caseback and bidirectional bezel are also made from the lightweight material. The black ceramic insert has an engraved 24-hour scale and triangular marker at 12′. To add a touch of sparkle, the case has polished bevels to alternate with the predominantly brushed exterior. The overall weight is listed as 95.5 grams, but that somewhat depends on the length of the bracelet, of course.

The matte black dial features the same architecture as the rest of the Spirit collection. It’s finished with applied gilt-coloured markers and numerals, filled with Super-LumiNova. On the outer edge, there’s a finely printed minute track to help with reading the time precisely. The sword-shaped hour and minute hands, plus the diamond-tipped central seconds hand, are also finished in a gold tone, adding a palatable touch of warmth to the overall design. The central GMT hand has a partially black stem, almost blending into the background for the most part. From about three-quarters down, though, it’s lacquered in bright red, matching the “Zulu Time” designation on the dial. The triangular tip is filled with Super-LumiNova as well, making it stand out instantly during the day and at night. In the bottom, a rectangular aperture gives way to a date wheel that’s colour-matched to the dial. The finishing touches are the brand’s winged hourglass logo at the top, plus the five stars indicating its chronometric precision.

Underneath the solid titanium caseback, it’s familiar territory. The L844.4 calibre is Longines’ proprietary automatic movement with Flyer-GMT functionality, meaning it allows you to independently adjust the local hour hand in one-hour increments in both directions through the crown. It’s an extensively modified version of Swatch Group’s ETA A31 calibre and comes with COSC chronometry certification. It runs at a rate of 25,200vph and has a power reserve of 72 hours, more than enough to serve you on your international business or pleasure trips! It also features an anti-magnetic silicon balance spring, making it ISO 764 compliant.

The Longines Spirit Zulu Time Titanium comes on, obviously, a full titanium bracelet. The outer links have a polished bevelled edge to them to add some life to the otherwise brushed finish. It can be easily exchanged for a leather or NATO-style strap thanks to the built-in quick-release system, and is closed with a titanium fold-over clasp. The price is set at EUR 4,500, which is an approximate 1k markup over the stainless steel counterparts in the Spirit Zulu collection.

For more information, please visit Longines.com.