he Longines Spirit collection now has a new watch featuring multiple time zones – a model inextricably intertwined with the brand’s pioneering spirit. The new Longines Spirit Zulu Time typifies the watchmaker’s century-old expertise in timepieces of its kind. Its origins and its name come from the first Longines dual-time zone wristwatch manufactured in 1925, which featured the Zulu flag on its dial – Zulu referring to the letter “Z” which designates universal time for aviators and members of the armed forces.

The development of other GMT models, aimed mainly at the aeronautics sector, has continued to bolster the pioneering role that Longines plays in this field. Many adventurers have crossed the world’s time zones with a Longines watch on their wrist. They have traversed the globe with determination and passion, making the impossible a reality. Renowned aviators including Amy Johnson, Clyde Pangborn and Hugh Herndon conquered the air and set new records – all with Longines’ assistance. A guarantee of safety and reliability for these early pioneers.

A link between history and innovation, the Longines Spirit Zulu Time pays homage to the brand’s rich heritage, resulting in an exceptional timepiece to be used by all modern pioneers. An exclusive new Longines in-house calibre with a silicon balance-spring drives the time zone display. A state-of-the-art technology that allows the hour hand to be adjusted independently of the GMT indicator. Additional time zones are read using a 24-hour hand and a bidirectional rotating bezel, also graduated over 24 hours.

On 5th May 1930, Amy Johnson, the most famous aviator in Britain, was the first woman to fly solo from England to Australia. She took off from Croydon (near London) and landed in Darwin 19 days later, having covered a distance of 11,000 miles.

Extremely accurate with a power reserve of 72 hours, this new movement is chronometer-certified by the COSC (the Swiss Official Chronometer Testing Institute), in a nod to the five stars stamped on the dial which, in the history of Longines, was a guarantee of a movement of the highest quality.

Aesthetically, the Longines Spirit Zulu Time stands out with its meticulous execution and the particular care given to the various finishes on the details – whether shiny, matt, polished, in relief or embossed. This model features a bezel enhanced with a coloured ceramic insert, and is available on a matt black, sandblasted anthracite or sunray blue dial, with a date window now centred at the 6 o’clock position.

On 5th October 1931 Clyde Pangborn and Hugh Herndon, Jr., two daring American aviators, completed the world’s first nonstop, transpacific flight from Japan to the United States. They took off and landed 41 hours later in Wenatchee, Washington, having covered a distance of 5,500 miles. At the time, it was the longest flight ever made over water. Herndon wrote to Longines-Wittnauer some weeks later that during the Pacific crossing, “Clyde Pangborn and myself carried Longines timepieces, which performed faultlessly”. In the final Pacific flight, “in which we encountered such frigid arctic weather as to even freeze the water in our canteens Longines watches continued to kept absolutely accurate time”, he explained. Herndon also mentioned: “As you know, correct time is essential to good navigation”.

Its hands and numerals, coated with Super-LumiNova^®, enable the time to be read under all circumstances. The 42 mm steel case has an interchangeable stainless steel bracelet or an interchangeable brown, beige or blue leather strap. These straps all have a folding clasp fitted with a new fine adjustment system for maximum comfort and a perfect fit.