Longines Introduces A Downsized Spirit Zulu Time GMT And Adds A Two-Tone Variant

For a long time, watchmaking brands did not listen to the public, limiting themselves to producing what in their opinion made sense, and the truth is that they were right as the market limited itself to accepting what was “offered” to them by the brands and the truth is that apart from one or another case everything was absorbed. However those distant times are long gone, the choices were also more limited and the public less demanding, but today (from a few years to now) the story is quite different the public submissive gave way to a more informed and more demanding public that no longer accepts what the brands “impose” and that is why more brands are listening to their public and giving adequate answers.

One of the battles that have been fought in the watchmaking market is the debate about the sizes of watches, with recent studies showing that most people have small wrists, which contradicts the large sizes of many watch brands, but in addition to these facts there is also the issue of the new trend with many people are starting to prefer smaller sizes and it is in this sense that the market has been listening to its audience. Two days ago we saw the arrival of the new Tissot PRX automatic in 35mm one of the “hottest” models on the market and today it’s time for the beautiful Longines Spirit Zulu, first introduced in 2020, to now appear in a more moderate 39mm size that complements its wider 42mm model.

The new Longines Spirit Zulu Time GMT 39mm, with roots in aviation and inspiration from its historic Dual-Time model from 1925, now arrives with the same configuration and features as the 42mm model and in the form of the same four variants.

The new 39mm diameter and 13.5mm thick stainless steel case feature a sapphire crystal, a bidirectional bezel with a ceramic insert and a 24-hour scale that works in partnership with the GMT hand. Fluted crown at 3 o’clock with brand signature, screwed case back and 100m of water resistance.

On the dial, we can find applied Arabic numerals, minute and hour hands all filled with luminescent material, a centre seconds hand, an extra GMT hand with an arrow-shaped tip, a date window at 6 o’clock and the inscriptions of the brand at 12 o’clock followed by “Automatic” and on the opposite side at 6 o’clock the same three lines of text formed by the model name, the traditional applied 5 stars and the mention of “Chronometer” for being certified.

Inside it is equipped with the Caliber L844.4 automatic movement based on the ETA A31, the same one that also gives life to the 42mm Spirit Zulu Time GMT, which is COSC certified as advertised on the dial, operating at 25,200 Vph and offering up to 72 hours of power reserve.

As already mentioned, the new 39mm size arrives in the same four variants as the wider version, which, in addition to the previous three steel versions, now adds a new variant in steel and 18k yellow gold.

And starting with the new steel and gold variant is presented in a steel case with an 18k yellow gold capped bezel and crown, a brown-chocolate insert bezel, an anthracite sandblasted dial and gilt accents. This variant comes with three strap options, a stainless steel bracelet, a brown leather strap or a brown fabric strap.

Regarding the three steel variants, we have a variant that comes with a dark green bezel insert, an anthracite sandblasted dial and gilt accents, another variant that features a matte black dial and bezel with the five stars on the dial and the second’s hand tip in blue, and finally, we have a variant that comes with a sunburst blue dial and matching bezel with the same blue details as the black version but here in orange. All steel variants come attached with a steel bracelet or a matching leather strap matching the colour dial.

Prices for the new models are exactly the same as for the wider versions, with prices for the steel and gold version ranging between €4,750 and €4,600 for the bracelet or strap options, and prices for the steel versions fluctuate m between €3,450 and €3,350.

Read more here.

General Specifications:

Brand: Longines

Model: Spirit Zulu Time GMT

Reference: L3.802.4.53.2 (steel black on a leather strap), L3.802.4.53.6 (steel black on a bracelet), L3.802.4.73.2 (steel anthracite on a leather strap), L3.802.4.73.6 (steel anthracite on a bracelet), L3.802.4.93.2 (steel blue on a leather strap), L3.802.4.93.6 (steel anthracite on a bracelet), L3.802.5.53.2 (steel and gold on a leather strap), L3.802.5.53.6 (steel and gold on a bracelet), L3.802.5.53.9 (steel and gold on a fabric strap)

Dial: Black, blue, anthracite

Lume: Super-LumiNova

Case Material: Stainless steel, stainless steel and 18k yellow gold

Case Dimensions: 39 mm Diameter, 13.5 mm thick

Crystal: Sapphire

Case Back: Stainless steel

Water Resistance: 100 Meters

Strap: Fabric strap, leather strap, stainless steel bracelet

Calibre: L844.4

Functions: Hours, minutes, seconds, GMT

Winding: Automatic

Frequency: 25,200 Vph

Jewels: 21

Power Reserve: 72 Hours

Chronometer Certified: Yes, COSC

Price: € 3,350 (steel on a strap), € 3,450 (steel on a bracelet), € 4,600 (steel and gold on a strap), € 4,750 (steel and gold on a bracelet)

Limited Edition: No