How I ended up looking for a GMT watch
Last month my work team got assigned to coordinate with folks in London and New Delhi. Suddenly my old timepiece just wasn’t cutting it when scheduling calls across timezones. Started browsing GMT watches online – saw way too many options from luxury brands making my head spin.

Why the Spirit Zulu caught my eye
Walked into a local watch shop last Tuesday just to browse. Sales guy hands me this Longines. First thing I noticed – that dark blue dial plays with light differently when you tilt your wrist. Looked classy but not flashy. Rotated the bezel and it clicked so smoothly it felt like turning a safe combination lock.
Tried it on and bam – the bracelet didn’t pinch my hairy wrist like some others do. Saw the five stars on the dial reminding me it passed their tough tests. Sales dude mentioned they bounce these things off walls during testing. Thought yeah right but later Googled – turns out they really torture-test movements before approval.
Real life testing phase
Bought it Thursday, wore it straight for a week to put it through its paces:
- Showed time to my London colleague John – set the GMT hand to London time while keeping home time on main hands. No more math headaches during calls.
- Got caught in sudden rain walking home Friday – dried it off with my shirt, zero fog under the glass.
- Forgot to take it off during Saturday’s BBQ – ketchup smudge wiped right off with a napkin.
The money talk
Honestly wasn’t cheap but didn’t break the bank either. Compared to similar GMT watches I saw? This one gives you:
- That sweet GMT function without complicated dials
- Scratch-resistant sapphire crystal that actually works
- Power reserve lasting all weekend if I forget to wear it Friday
Final verdict after two weeks
Still catches my eye every time light hits that sunburst dial. Works just as well with t-shirts as with my one decent suit. Only con – my wife keeps stealing it for her Zoom meetings. Might have to buy another one just to get mine back. Worth every penny for something that looks this good while actually making life easier.
