I have this watch, as well as a steel Zulu Time. This is the only watch I've worn since buying it. The steel ZT is a beautiful watch, but it's a bit too sharp-looking. This watch, while it does have some polishing, is significantly more utilitarian and rugged-looking -- which is more my style. My watch is also ridiculously accurate. The titanium weight on my wrist feels incredible. It is a beautiful watch, fits my style, and is a flyer GMT to boot (I travel a lot). This watch feels like it was made by Longines specifically for me.
Also, it is very strange how Hodinkee and Longines are not marketing this watch. Since its release in December 2023, Hodinkee has only posted it twice across all their IG accounts, and that was back in December. Very bizarre.
If only this was a production model for the masses to pick up. This more considered watch would definitely improve the brands image if normal people could buy it.....but hey, its still available from Hodinkee. Excellent work again mate, keep it up 👌
@@BowlOfSalmon Because normal people don't drop $3000 on a watch. Check some statistics on the average household income in USA, Europe and rest of the world, then consider people drop a good amount on their monthly income on rent/mortgage, children's expenses, food etc. If a person manages to save up 3 grand in a year lets, they ought to be crazy to buy a watch with that money when they're so much more to do. Someone who's well off, that's another story. $3000 is a lot of money for most normal people everywhere. In certain asian countries people make that money in a year, in many european places, that's a 3 months salary (before expenses obiously) for full time work. Like I said, normal people. Majority of people are made of low and middle class or low-middle class. Upper class people will buy it no questions asked.
@@narrowisthewaytoeternity I feel where you're coming from. Im an average guy with a budding career and own a home with no kids. Car is paid off but I would be shooting myself in the foot to own a watch at $3000. Just hard to do without regret. I need a laptop for school/work/home and my $3000 would go to that before the watch. It would be awesome to own something this cool but something I am learning to do is find something thats amazing and if it's out of reach, find its dupe. Finding a watch that does something well but for a fraction of the price.
Hello Tom, once again, a splendid and well-executed video. I believe much of the resistance to the watch stems from it coming from Hodinkee. Hodinkee has, over the past several years, transitioned from being for watch enthusiasts to being more of a fashion blog (Just look at the "How to Wear It" series).
Thanks man. ! I did noticed a surge of euhm trolls indeed. I purposely didn’t focus on the Hodinkee collaboration because I just wanted to focus on the watch. Not the politics or whatever behind it. But yeah … the platform Has changed, no denying that
Excellent video Tom! I have to agree, the macro footage was amazing. I don't care if it's over used, "light play" is the only way to say what's going on in that round thingy (yes yes I know it's the rehaut, I just don't know what that means :P). The thing looks awesome on the gray nato strap but I agree the bracelet does look superb. I think you've changed my mind on this piece, I really like it...
@@BowlOfSalmon haha for sure! I forgot to say, I'm one of the weirdos that's fine with the stars on the other spirit watches. But I don't mind date wheels either so what do I know.
"Whatever the "F" I want to call it..." is the only GMT movement I will travel & work with happily. Great video first off. I like a "true GMT" because my job. Sunday I'm in Portland, Monday/Tuesday (dateline jump) I'm in Hong Kong. Wednesday/Tuesday (dateline time travel again) I'm in LAX. Thursday in LAX to JFK. I tried the ETA 2893 based "office GMTs" and they don't last a year before starting to drift on accuracy from all the resetting I did on the road. Once I got my hands on a MT5652 and the 3285 movements, I can't go back. This Longines movement has my interest peaked, and it just might maybe.... maybe be my next GMT!
I think it looks pretty nice. I’ve had a Spirit Zulu Time anthracite dial with green bezel for about a year and a half and it has been a great watch. And the time keeping is superb! This one definitely has my interest.
Thanks for watching! I always try to bring my thoughts with respect for everyone. We all have opinions and things we want to see in watches. But every little something we don’t like , somebody else might just love. Must be so hard as a watch brand 😅😅😅
Really like it. No stars 🎉. Great tool vibes and the bracelet looks amazing. Dial is clean but interesting. Heritage maintained, screams Longines. Home run.
Tom, this is outstanding video quality! I just subscribed and look forward to catching up on your back catalogue 😂 I think this is a really nicely executed GMT. The whole Zulu Time range has been a big hit in my eyes.
Thx Brad. I always try to do the best possible footage showcasing the watch with an honest personal opinion. Longines definitely caught my eye too last year
Hard to compare ti to SS. Of course the wear experience will be different. After wearing the Pro for a few months now I find it to be comfortable. Yes it’s heavy in comparison to my Ti watches but it cops a lot of negative press. 39mm can differ from watch to watch and is sweet spot for many. This one has definitely mimicked the vintage style of the Pro. I still think the deal breaker is no micro adjustments like the T-fit. All watches should have an on the fly adjustments. Nice review Tom. Understandable why you were keen to try it.
Pros and cons and cons difficult dicision. I think the pro got too much people focusing on the wrong thing. It’s also a great watch. I think I never looked twice at the bbpro because I have the exp 2. The Longines is different enough t because of the ti. Thanks for watching and expressing your opinion Trish. Appreciated as always 🙏
I really like it, if I didn’t have the BB pro I may have been tempted as it does some things better, it’s titanium and I really like the numerals. I think the pro would still win out as it’s cheaper, available in my country, not as flashy but the big things for me are I love the contrast of the hands on the pro and not having on the fly adjustment means i would not have a bracelet option. I hope longines takes some of these improvements to there other models, there is no need for a flying egg timer and how insecure do you need to be to give yourself 5 stars? Some more grade 5 titanium options on the market would be great too.
Looks like titanium will be a trend this year too. They do things different and ofcourse as a watch enthusiast we always just want something different too right. Thanks for watching and well spoken opinion ! Appreciate it
I've been a part of the 9% club when 9 where the actual subscribers, keep it up Tom! Bloody brlliant video as usual! I like this watch and I think Longines is doing a great job with their redesigns lateley, The bracelet, even if it's well built, feels big and chunky, I think it has to do with the huge center link , I know that you're team nato but bracelets play an huge factor in my decisions 😂
If only this was in a 41mm case for us larger wristed people. I like this one a lot... but I know it won't work for my 8" wrist. Plus I'm not buying any new watch that doesn't have an on-the-fly macro adjustable bracelet. I'm not sure why any new watch release doesn't offer that, even if it costs me more.. I'll buy it. However, it's a great looking watch I'll admit that.
Very nice video, thank you. I’ve got the Black Bay Pro, so I was merely curious. If I didn’t have the BBP, well, this would have been a strong contender. I’m biased toward lighter watches and this looks beautiful. The bezel is also a plus, imho. But the Hodinkee brand is a minus and I wonder at a house with the heritage of Longines linking itself to a relatively new retailer. But the watch is a winner, no question! Well done!
Glad you appreciate the effort. Bbp is an awesome watch. Somehow I never got tempted by it. Maybe too close to my exp2 because both steel and titanium makes it feels more like a different watch
@@BowlOfSalmon Thank you, I’ve also got a Exp2, 42mm, but it’s a bit large and blingy for a true travel watch, imho. I’m a softie for the solid bezel. All the best.
I can feel how many ppl commented on Tom's story, just based on the amount of information he delivered in this video 🤣 All these shots are so awesome! I'm now even more torn between getting the Black Bay 36 blue MT or this one. I feel like the BB36 I can purchase it any time in the future. But this Zulu-Ti is so limited on a global scale.
Excellent video. Hoping Longines will release a SS steel-bezel version of this in the main production line. Prefer the matte look over the shine of ceramic.
would be cool. i'd like to see more brushed ceramic bezels. (think SPB143 or P39 style) or also go me thinking .. do brushed steel bezel dive watches exist ? thanks for watching & subbing( !?)
Really good video, love the videos for this. What kind of setup do you use for photos and video? Currently stuck with an iPhone 15 for watch pics and videos lol
It’s nice but imo it’s the price that holds it back. You can get a quality flyer GMT in similar dimensions, 80 hr ETA based movement from its sibling brand Mido for a third of the price. $2600 more just for titanium is a big markup
No on-the-fly microadjust at this price point is a dealbreaker! Also a miss at this price point: no screws on the links. Also not a fan of the AR on the top surface, or the male end links. Nice looking watch otherwise!
Screw link are a one time thing. Micro adjust would be great. But it has to be a good one. And the best one I have handled is still the one on the sub.
@@BowlOfSalmon I know it isn’t grade 5 titanium or a GMT, but the Tudor Ranger costs considerably less, and has both screws and the TFit clasp with a safety lock. Micro adjust and fold over safety lock are hugely important in my opinion. Would have paid a bit more for this GMT if it had those features.
Great review, as always 🔥 i love the watch, but this first link makes it wear awkward. ps. Does higher grade of titanium means higher quality? The only difference I notice is that grade 2 seems darker. If quality comes with number of grade where would Blancpain’s grade 23 be? 😅
thanks for watching ! I don't know enough about the tech stuff . I based myself of some some googling// not the source is hodinkee 🙈 (but mosts links say about the same thing) Grade 2 is all titanium. Grade 5 is an alloy that also includes aluminum and vanadium (6% aluminum and 4% vanadium, which is why it's also referred to as Ti 6Al-4V). Grade 5 is harder; expect to see Grade 5 in higher-end manufacturing, while lower-priced options might use Grade 2
Grade 5 titanium contains some aluminum -- which gives it a more steel look as well as the ability to be polished. The Pelagos is grade 2 titanium -- pure titanium -- as a titanium dive watch should be. Pure titanium is more corrosion resistant than grade 5.
Yes & no. Grade 5 costs more to produce and is more scratch resistant. Grade 2 is cheaper to make and manufacture and less scratch resistant (but yes better corrosion) But if it’s cheaper to manufacture why is the Tudor more expensive? 🤷♂️
okay .. i need to revisit this . maybe you all ruined it for me now but never did it cross my mind it didn't sit good because of that .. because it sits good.. but maybe that is because of my perfectly sized male model wrist ;) hehe
@@BowlOfSalmon I think it would wear better across a wider range of wrists if they had done female end links instead. The 47mm L2L measurement understates the true length.
Great video. Do a head to head review of this Longines Spirit Zulu Time GMT Titanium Hodinkee vs the Longines Spirit Zulu Time GMT S & G and you will have me as a subscriber! Ciao
I'd buy this if I could try it on first i.e Longines should sell it everywhere as a standard watch. Can't buy online as we get smashed with tax and duties.
i've only bought one watch i didn't try on before , and that was a diver 65 .. but of course similar models are availble... this in titanitum.. is very specific
I apreciate this watch,very good quality,but there is something wrong,i dont now what exactly,she dont have a specific personality just like tudor ,everybody recognize a tudor,an omega,cartier ,rolex or patek etc,,,but this model looks like a microbrand homage....of course quality is here but for the price exist too much other choice before thinking in this especialy..,just my point of view
I hope my nuance was clear enough. I don’t see them as copies. Unless it’s Ali express brands slapping on a different logo on the same copies design. I think this is like the car industry. If SUVs started doing well more brands would join in and to their take on it.
I agree. My comment was a general one regarding many comments I have seen on this topic. The drawings they have from their original watch isn't that far off from this current model. I saw a comment recently where someone said Longines and Hodinkee created a homage watch. If anything they made a homage of their original model. I enjoy your channel and look forward to seeing a lot more from your channel. @@BowlOfSalmon
From a Tudor Blackbay GMT fanboy that just recently acquired said Tudor GMT. The Tudor body slams this watch in many areas. Love the thickness of my Tudor, the wrist presence is awesome. The refinement and quality are all there. Rolex quality on Tudor is evident when I compare it to my 116610LN. I like big lugs and I cannot lie. Tudor for the win, Longines for girly men that complain of wrist fatigue, thickness, and want everything in 39mm. Tudor BB Pro homage is what this watch screams, also not to get into semantics but that ain’t no in house movement, they are ETA movements. Picked up my Tudor BB GMT on bracelet, a used 2022 model for $2500 tax free on one of the watch forums. In love with it and has replaced my Sub on my wrist for the foreseeable future. These things are future classics guaranteed, pick one up while you still can.
Look mate. I love you love your watch. I’m not dissing your watch. I’m respectful in my reviews. And when expressing my personal subjective. opinion. I was respecting your pov up until a certain point….
My apologies if there was a point in my comment where you did not respect it. I can see how some of my commentary may be misconstrued, however it was done in a humorous and not hurtful way, nor was it directed at anyone in particular. Thanks for taking the time to put this content together, I do like the idea of a titanium travel watch.
@@BowlOfSalmon thanks Sir, no big, just in the process of changing job so I keep money tight... so no biggie, but it is really kind from you (just found your channel but I have already subbed, as i followed you on the gram)
By all means Get a Tudor. But if you can’t see the difference between a (what should be) illegal replica/copy just with another logo on the dial and this … sorry
@@BowlOfSalmon I already own a BB41 Heritage and own a few San Martins along with other watches. The Zulu Time at asking price having a comparable clasp to the San Martin is just not going to cut it. The Zulu Time is not a much more affordable offering than the Tudor. It's obviously trying to compete with the Tudor and therefore, you might as well buy the San Martin as Longines does not have anywhere near the Logo Cred as the Tudor.
Is this a Hodinkee sponsored ad? Maybe it is not selling out because the market doesn’t like it… hence the loaner and seeing more RU-vidrs try hype this watch recently.
@@BowlOfSalmonfair enough though Hodinkee does deserve some of the heckles. I used to be a fan and a customer but these days their content doesn’t appeal to me and it is all a bit pretentious.
Still look like a tudor copy Nothing seems inspired or something longines would do with the Zulu but then again every collab with hodinkee sucks the originality out of it
I agree the diver 65 from oris have originality though the Zulu hodinkee or most collars with Them i find falling flat as they suck out What the Zulu is out of it not just with that model but with every collab done recently between watch brands and hodinkee not to forget hodinkee being more snd more snob like they could have gone with the original design for a collab with the square case but nope they look at a Black Bay pro and Said Yeah lets steal that Schengen for the collab
Hahaha😂 this definitely isn't a copy! Longines is way ahead of Tudor. And unlike Tudor, longines is not a Rolex wannabe 😂... that's why longines is outselling Tudor by a hundred miles😂.
@@Mega-zi7ysoh how witty you are😂 Nah I wear my Tudors as solid ‘beaters’ as alternatives when I’m not wearing my many Rolex pieces. It’s OK stick to your Longines.
Great video... and this is a good homage/improvement compared to the "original watch". It would certainly have sold more with a better placement, generally speaking. I like it, but there are a few elements not strictly related to the watch itself, that would make me prefer other timepieces...