Longines model

Longines Spirit and Spirit Zulu Time: history, models and official videos

The Longines Spirit is the brand's modern pilot's watch family, best known for the Zulu Time with a second time zone and the Flyback chronograph. This page explains the main versions, the movements and what affects the value of a Spirit, and shows the official Longines videos.

Zulu Time introduced: 2022 (42 mm), 39 mm in 2023
Zulu Time movement: Calibre L844.4, COSC, 72 h power reserve
Flyback movement: Calibre L791.4, 68 h power reserve
Water resistance: 100 m

LONGINES SPIRIT ZULU TIME 1925 – official video by Longines on YouTube

What the Spirit line is about

The Longines Spirit is the brand's pilot's watch family. It builds on a long aviation tradition: Longines made the Weems avigation watch in 1927, the Hour Angle watch developed with Charles Lindbergh in 1931, and in 1934 the first chronograph with a flyback function, patented in 1936. The Spirit does not copy one of these watches. It is a modern line that points back to that history, with sturdy cases, a bezel and a focus on reliable movements.

Spirit Zulu Time: the dual-time model

The best-known Spirit is the Zulu Time, presented in March 2022 around the Watches & Wonders fair. It adds a second time zone with a 24-hour GMT hand in a contrasting color. The name comes from a Longines watch of 1925, described as a wristwatch with two time zones that carried a Zulu flag on its dial. The letter Z, for Zulu, stands for universal time among pilots and sailors.

The first Zulu Time models had a 42 mm stainless steel case, 13.9 mm high, with a bidirectional bezel carrying a ceramic insert and a 24-hour scale. They came with a screw-down crown and caseback, sapphire crystal and 100 m water resistance, on a leather strap or a three-link steel bracelet. A 39 mm version followed in 2023, and a titanium version in 39 mm with a Grade 5 titanium bracelet was shown in 2024.

Spirit Flyback and the movements

The Spirit Flyback is the chronograph of the family. Longines announced steel and 18-carat gold versions with shaded green and brown dials in August 2024. It uses calibre L791.4 with a 68-hour power reserve, and has a transparent caseback and 100 m water resistance. Its first official videos date from March 2023.

Zulu Time: automatic calibre L844.4, 72-hour power reserve, 25,200 vibrations per hour, 21 jewels, hours, minutes, seconds, date and GMT hand.
Flyback: calibre L791.4, 68-hour power reserve.
Both: COSC-certified, with a silicon balance spring that resists magnetic fields.

One Italian review states that the L844.4 is made exclusively by ETA for Longines and is based on the ETA A31.411.

How to tell Spirit versions apart

Look at the case size (39 mm or 42 mm for the Zulu Time), the case material (steel, titanium or steel with gold), the dial color, the bezel insert and the hands. A GMT hand and a 24-hour bezel mean a Zulu Time. A chronograph with sub-dials is a Flyback. The full reference is printed in the caseback documents and on the warranty card, so keep both if you have them.

What is a Longines Spirit worth?

The Spirit is a recent line, so its pre-owned prices follow the usual rules for modern watches rather than collector rarity. What matters most is the model (a Flyback or Zulu Time usually sits above a simple three-hand Spirit), the material, the condition, any wear on the bezel insert and bracelet, and whether box, papers and extra straps are included. Newer references in good condition usually hold value better than heavily worn ones. We found no documented auction results for the Spirit, so we do not quote any prices here. At launch in 2022, the Zulu Time had a UK retail price of £2,400 on a strap, according to one retailer.

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Official Longines Spirit videos

All videos come from the official Longines YouTube channel. They cover the Spirit Zulu Time, including the 39 mm and titanium versions and the interchangeable band system, as well as the Spirit Flyback.

More Longines videos, sorted by model: all official Longines playlists.

Sources (5)

SwissWatchExperts is not affiliated with Longines. Brand and model names are trademarks of their owners; the videos are embedded from the official Longines YouTube channel.

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Frequently asked questions

What is the Longines Spirit Zulu Time?

A pilot's watch with a second time zone, shown by a 24-hour GMT hand. It was presented in March 2022 and takes its name from a Longines dual-time watch of 1925 with a Zulu flag on the dial.

What sizes does the Spirit Zulu Time come in?

The first models of 2022 measure 42 mm. A 39 mm version followed in 2023, also offered in titanium from 2024.

Which movement is in the Spirit Zulu Time?

The automatic calibre L844.4 with a 72-hour power reserve, COSC certification and a silicon balance spring.

What is the Longines Spirit Flyback?

The chronograph of the Spirit family. It uses calibre L791.4 with a 68-hour power reserve and 100 m water resistance, and is offered in steel and 18-carat gold.

What makes a Longines Spirit worth more?

The model (Zulu Time or Flyback), the material, the condition and whether box, papers and extra straps are present.

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