Longines Spirit Zulu Time 1925: New Rose Gold GMT Timepiece

The Longines Spirit Zulu Time 1925 features a warm, distinctive look while preserving the model's 39mm authentic GMT functionality.

Longines

In its promotion for the new Spirit Zulu Time 1925, Longines is leveraging the efficacy of a straightforward inquiry: “What time is it there?” The new 39mm watch is a genuine GMT, reaffirming Longines' assertion of having created the world's first multi time zone timepiece in 1925. In 1908, Longines responded to a request from the Ottoman Empire, a precursor to our contemporary inquiries about time due to the incessant news cycle.

The empire adhered to an alternative temporal standard while simultaneously recognizing the utility of monitoring Western time, leading Longines to address the first inquiry of "what time is it there?" Notably, the original 1925 model featured a distinctly square casing and was equipped with two hour hands and two minute hands.

The present Spirit Zulu Time 1925 features a distinctive rose gold cap bezel inlay, an uncommon addition for the brand. This is the one occasion we can verify of such a maneuver. The appearance is notably appealing, particularly in photographs, and rose gold typically exhibits warmer hues in actuality. The Spirit 1925 model remains intact from the 2022 Spirit Zulu Time in most aspects, including the automatic calibre L844.4. It is noteworthy that the movement in this new model is visible due to Longines replacing the closed caseback with an exhibition caseback. This is excellent news, considering that the caliber was significant in 2022 and now features a distinctive rose gold rotor, treated with PVD, etched with a vintage map of the world. Additionally, the hands and the attached Arabic numerals are also rose gold plated.

Although all new features of the Spirit 1925 model have been addressed above and we have not conducted a thorough examination of the new watch, certain issues need reiteration. The primary aspect to note is the distinction between the “true” and “desk” characteristics of the GMT, allowing for the local hour hand to be adjusted in one-hour increments through the crown.

We remember observing Spirit models at the Longines regional novelty event, however we are uncertain regarding the handling experience of this particular model. The bezels of these devices are typically rigid, operating in defined increments accompanied by a reassuring sound.

The Spirit GMT, released in 2022, was one of the initial authentic GMT models. It continues to be a desirable timepiece amidst a plethora of desk watches; nevertheless, the introduction of the gold-capped bezel has resulted in a price increase of twenty-five percent. Bronze could be a viable alternative for Longines to contemplate in order to preserve this warm aesthetic. The Swatch Group's 14k bronze gold presents itself as a unique alternative.