7 Months Later: Is The Longines Spirit Zulu Time 39 Still One Of The Best Value GMT Watches?
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- čas přidán 25. 06. 2024
- I love GMT watches whether they are flyer GMTs or caller GMTs. I've owned a bunch of them including the Rolex Explorer II, Tudor Black Bay Pro, Seiko SSK GMT, and more from Grand Seiko, Zodiac, and Traska. Then last year, Longines released the much anticipated 39mm version of the Spirit Zulu Time so I knew that I had to get one because it essentially fixed the issues that many folks had with the BB Pro, namely the lack of a rotatable bezel and the thick case.
Now that I have owned the Spirit Zulu Time 39 for 7 months, I’ve really come to understand the watch more. In the end, I still really like this watch and it’s easily one of the most impressive value propositions I’ve seen in the watch world.
So in this video I’m going to talk about 3 things I love about it and 2 things I don't like about it, and one of those reasons is partly why it's now officially for sale but mainly it’s because I’m obsessed with my titanium Spirit Zulu Time 39 and I can't justify owning both. But anyways, enjoy.
-FOR SALE-
My Longines SZT is for sale for $2,300! The price is based on the lowest recent sale price found on watchcharts.com check out the information for yourself in this link below. I priced the watch at $2,300 because I want to make the transaction as simple as possible by just offering the lowest price from the start. Naturally, the price is firm.
marketplace.watchcharts.com/l...
As you can see from the video the watch is absolutely clean and it comes with Longines’ 5 year warranty and it comes with Hodinkee’s extra year of warranty. Box and papers included. Pretty sure I’ve got the stickers that were on the watch as well lol.
If you’d like to purchase, send me an email at thewatchidiot@gmail.com with your shipping zip code so that I can get a shipping quote. I will take care of the first $50 of shipping costs. Most of the time that means free shipping for you!
(Any communication in the comments from any other youtube account aside from my official youtube account @thewatchidiot IS SPAM. I will never ask you to begin communication with me on whatsapp, telegram, etc. All communication will begin through the official The Watch Idiot email seen here in the description)
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TIME STAMPS:
7 Months With The Longines Spirit Zulu Time - 00:00
Loves- The Refinement / Finishing - 00:48
Loves- Feeling On The Wrist - 02:28
Loves- The Aesthetic / Design - 03:18
Dislike- The Matte Dial (Why I’m Selling It) - 04:56
Dislike- Lug Width / Clasp - 06:59
DIMENSIONS:
Case width: 39.1mm
Lug width: 21mm
Bracelet at clasp: 16mm
Bracelet taper: 5mm
Lug to lug: 46.8mm
Bezel width: 39.2mm
Dial width: 30.4mm
Case thickness: 13.4mm
Midcase thickness: 6.5mm
Bezel height: 3.8mm
Crown diameter: 6.9mm
Crown height: 4.6mm
Weight (with bracelet): 144 grams
Water resistance: 200m
Crystal: Domed sapphire
Movement: Longines L844.4
Power Reserve: 72 hours
CONTACT ME:
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thewatchidiot@gmail.com - Jak na to + styl
My SZT 39 is now for sale for $2,300! Check out the description for full details but if you’d like to purchase send me an email at thewatchidiot@gmail.com with your shipping zip code so I can get myself a shipping quote. Thanks!
Have you sold this yet?
I dismissed this watch when I heard it was 42mm and 39mm, but saw it in person at 39mm and was blown away. All the little refined details on the dial, case and crown are definitely worth the price.
I have the 42mm version in all black and I love it. It accompanied me on a trip to Europe a couple of weeks ago and it performed perfectly. I wore it on a black FKM strap during the day which made it feel really light on the wrist and put the bracelet on at night when having dinner in nicer restaurants or going out on the town. The jumping hour feature made switching time zones a breeze. It’s also really accurate only gaining about 2 seconds a day. Overall an excellent watch for the money.
Great video, I have the green bezel version of this and love it!
Me too. But the 41?mm version. Outstanding watch. 😊
Glad you enjoyed the video! The green bezel version looks awesome I nearly chose it over the black bezel. Longines did a fantastic job with the SZT so it's great to see fellow owners enjoying it as much as I'm enjoying it!
Looking forward to this breakdown of the Hodinkee zulu time
Such a stunning watch. Even with Matt black dial. Loved the video.
I got the green bezel Zulu Time. I had every intention of getting the 39mm, but when I tried both on, I went with the 42mm.
Every time I see the little polishes on the case and bracelet on this, I want one all over again, but I just bought a Lorier Hyperion to get my GMT fix and save a few bucks. Maybe I'll upgrade one day!
IMHO the black bezel steel version is sharper than the titanium version. the blue bezel and dial version is stunning!
I tried on both the 39 and the 42. Prefer the 42 with green bezel. Still considering this piece for my traveler’s GMT. Thank you for sharing your experience. 👍
I also have the steel black bezel ZT and the Hodinkee ZT. The former is hands down the best looking watch I've ever owned. My problem with it is that it is very, very flashy. It is a very sharp-looking watch. If the Hodinkee is a Toyota, the steel black bezel is a Lamborghini. A lot of strangers notice and stare at the watch. Ultimately, it's just not my personality. The metal bezel Hodinkee is significantly more utilitarian-looking. It is much. more my style, and people do not notice it. I like the Hodinkee ZT much more even though the steel black bezel ZT looks better.
My SD4000 is Matte Black dial why I bought in 2016 over Sub glad I did instant classic!
I like the anthracite dial with the green and brown leather strap for the Zulu 39 GMT. The titanium on the higher cost model but it comes with a 4 thousand dollar price tag.
Pepsi or Coke bezel on the Zulu Time and I'm buying. Come on Longines, do it!
The Spirit Zulu Time needs an on the fly micro adjust.
Didnt you see all these before you buy ? If you see them after 7 months its really funny 😂 In addition to this , 39 zulu time is a gorgeous time piece and the things you mentioned are not an issue. It should have been quick adjust i accept maybe in time they ll bring it. Enjoy your watch , dont push to find negative sides 😂
Fantastic looking watch, the bevels look better every time I see them! Also I totally agree with you, I don't think any watch under 42mm should have a 22mm lug width
Makes sense why your selling, the titanium version was essentially tailor made for you and I now want to know how many days you'll end up wearing it this year considering it's already breaking records👍
I can't get enough of those bevels I don't think they'll ever get old! And I'm glad to hear that we're on the same page regarding lug widths too 😁
Yeah the titanium SZT is pulling in some crazy numbers I can't seem to stop wearing it, I can't remember the last time a watch pulled me in quite like this. Is going to take quite a special watch to beat this in terms of study time but we've still got 9 months left in 2024 so anything can happen!
I have the same watch and love it, the only thing I dislike is the off white hands and numerals, but I don't know if you can really avoid that if it has lume 🤷♂
Since you got both the zulu39 and the HQgmt, have you ever tried swapping the wonderful clasp of the HQgmt onto the zulutime’s bracelet? If that works then it would be perfect 🤩
I bought the titanium model of this and still can’t believe it’s not more popular. It’s still available! I’ve been wearing it almost exclusively after wear a 36 mm explorer for 18 straight months. I thought nothing would ever replace it until I got this.
I like the Hodinkee version in titanium. The only thing is I find it just a tad bit expensive, and the 21 mm lug with is kind of a turn off. I'd much prefer 19 if an odd size.. especially on a 39 mm watch. This is such a strap monster too with a great bracelet release system. It kind of sucks that you can't take advantage of that more fully.
There’s a ton of straps sold at 21mm now. NATO, leather, fabric. Why is everyone dissing the 21mm lug width. Just find a strap that works. They’re out there.
Great video, I agree with your take on the bezel not matching the dial.
The Titanium Spirit Zulu time in your video that you are keeping do they still make that or is that an older model?
It was limited to 500 units
Thanks for the reply
@@noahsourapas2057and I’m devastated I missed out on it.
I sold my 42mm Zulu time a while back and now im considering another gmt. I just cant for life of me decide between rebuying the Zulu time or going for the black bay pro. Ive tried it in person but there;s still no obvious choice.
There hundreds if not thousands of 21mm straps out there. How many options do you need?!
yeah the thing that keeps putting my spirit 37mm on my wrist is just how damn well made it is. I've got Tudors and Breitlings etc. but honestly the detail/finishing on it is just so next level. the way they interleave the soft brushing with the mirror polishing is like a god damn magic trick. not to mention...it's a bespoke chronometer movement...for like a fifth of the price...Longines is untouchable right now IMO.
I had to get an uncle strap for my BB58 blue because the bracelet and clasp are horrible.
Longines is a sleeper for sure. I’m not a huge fan of powermatic80 reducing the beat rate for more reserve but I do think the traveler GMT function is a good trade off.
It's still ridiculously accurate though.
I owned the 42 mm Zulu Time and 41 mm HC GMT. I won't sell them. No complaints to the Zulu Time like yours.
I think the major concern is you owned the Titanium version. They are duplicated in some of the reasons.
I think the lugs look too long and it needs a clasp microadjust unfortunately. Everything else I like.
I am hoping they do the HC GMT in titanium too as that will be me.
didnt expect this one, so the HODINEE one is the one
Yeah it being titanium was a giant plus point they basically created the perfect SZT for me lol! But if it didn't exist then the steel SZT would have lasted much longer
@@thewatchidiot I am thinking about this one too, its in the basket but I haven't pulled the trigger, because I have seen a great value Alpina GMT for a 1/4 of the price.
I have a GS SBGA415 (Titanium - as my dress watch) and I love the weightlessness of it.
Any problems with the bracelet being TOO easy to get off? Never had a watch w a quick release before and with all the things I’ve seen about this being superbly easy to take off I’m wondering if there might be issues on the flip side, as I truly wear my watches everywhere and doing everything.
good question and thankfully it's very very secure you have to press the button just right and down enough for it to come off so as I've been living with two of these bracelets I've come to know how to take the bracelet off easily. But even then, sometimes I need to readjust my thumb and apply more pressure to get it off. And to put the bracelet back on you have to apply enough pressure and it snaps into place very reassuringly with an audible snap.
In the end I haven't had a single moment of doubt about it's security, anything less wouldn't have been great for confidence
@@thewatchidiot Awesome! Been eyeing the S&G version of this watch since it came out and I’m getting close to pulling the trigger- thanks for the vote of confidence on the bracelet!
I don't know if u noticed, but the black dial SZT has yellowish colored lume paint on the numerals but the ceramic bezel has pure white numerals. It bothers me to no end.
And if you compare it to blue dial SZT, it has white colored lume paint.
Why can't the black dial has white lume paint on the numerals to match the ceramic bezel white numerals. Sadge, sadness.
Why is it, so you suppose, that while both pilot watches and dive watches are designed for high legibility - in the typified expression or a pilot watch, that has come to mean large numerals on the dial, where in dive watches there are rarely numerals on the dial.
Do you think it’s something to do with pilots needing the exact time quickly versus divers needing to read the passage of time quickly? 🤷♂️
They're both optimized for visibility, but the type of visibility that's most important is different. Dive watches need high legibility in low light/no light conditions, so their hour markers are always filled with luminescent material. And those markers tend to be big geometric shapes to maximize the amount of lume, and they use multiple different shapes so you can tell which one is 12:00. For basically every dive watch, the most important thing is that you can tell the time and the position of the outer bezel in complete darkness when you can see only the parts of the watch that have lume.
On a pilot watch, low-light visibility is less important. So some pilot watches have no lume and on others it's fine for the lume plots to be smaller than on a dive watch. Different pilot's watches are designed differently based on different use cases and different ideas about what is most important for the pilot to know. For example, a WWII-era Flieger Type B watch has the minutes instead of the hours as the largest numbers on the watch, because the theory was that that's the most important thing for a pilot to see at a glance. On the other hand, pilot's chronographs make the chronograph subdials as big as possible so they are easier to see.
0:23 😂😂😂😂
My Ads keen to sell me one but its thicker than cheaper rivals Ikinda like.......like Seiko Navi, alpine and the Tudors....Its nice but Chonky
Nice Tudor BB pro homage ;)
The one thing that put me off, is when you change the time the gmt hand seems to wiggle. It makes the watch feel less refined. At least that's what i saw in most reviews.
Yeah that's not ideal, but it doesn't bother me at all especially since I don't need to adjust the local time very often at all
Who cares
I noticed that. It’s a small thing but yuck. It’s like having a nice car with a rattle being the glove box lol
Longines and their stupid 19 and 21mm lug widths...That's what has kept me from buying one this far. They could just use 20mm in place of any that currently use 19 or 21mm.
Serious question. How many strap options do you need for a watch?
@@zacharyparis Valid question...I generally much prefer a bracelet for regular day-to-day use, but I like to be able to swap the bracelet for leather straps as needed when I need to suit up at work.
@@woodstock480I think there are more options for 19mm straps nowadays. Never looked for 21mm though.
@@zacharyparisthree - bracelet, leather & NATO