How Are These SO GOOD?? Longines Spirit Zulu Time 39 VS HydroConquest GMT Comparison

[@TheBimmer74]

I went with the Hydroconquest GMT because of the dive bezel. It runs +1 second per day!

[@FacultyFan]

Going to be my next watch!

[@rustydog2112]

If the hydro conquest GMT is based on the 888 movement, those are known to be incredibly accurate and reliable ETA based movements

[@Collector-k6y]

I had the HC GMT 41 and sold it for the Zulu 39: same exact watches of your video. I have a 18cm (7in) wrist. Couldn't be happier! The HC is cool in its own right, but I feel some work needs to be done to make it optimal. Wearability: while the bracelet of the HC is comfortable, with its sliding half clasp, the case sits like a block on the wrist. The bracelet falls from the case in a pretty sharp way and, since the lugs are not curved, the overall impression is that the watch doesn't hug the wrist harmonically. It either dangles on your radius and ulna, or you have to move it backwards and it becomes a very stiff wear. It's not much heavier than the Zulu on paper, but it most certainly feels so! It's a watch you remember wearing, especially in the heat of summer. The bracelet is of great quality, so as the crown and the way the metal is treated. The bezel action is trash compared to the zulu: a rusty door vs silk. As far as the dial, it's a matter of taste. I'm not bothered by shapes, quite the opposite! But the hour hand may be too much and the hands are both VERY polished and shiny compared to the rest. The square date window, I find, could benefit from a little redesign. Overall, they should make it in 39 and definitely consider some improvements. They should also make it COSC certified! I don't see why the Zulu is and this not. As far as the Zulu, for me perfect wearability, almost perfect design and amazing specs. The matte dial is a matter of taste! I find it gives the perfect variety in a small collection and allows space for another black dial watch.

[@andreab4130]

I have the Zulu and is fantastic. Hydroconquest is a Diver so you can buy Zulu for the winter and Hydroconquest for the summer 🤣 They are the best GMT in this moment.

[@DWilliam1]

I have the Zulu Time GMT and it’s a great watch. I own both the bracelet and leather strap and I actually like the strap better and it’s has a unique glide adjustment on the clasp.

[@ajmarion]

Both are great watches! I’ve had the Zulu on my list for a while, in the green/gold color

[@thewatchidiot]

The green one is a good one I recently saw it in person and man it was very striking much better than in photos!

[@seven921914]

I love the look of the Hydro Conquest!

[@KokoDionis]

I am so happy I found your video! I am actually debating between these 2 models (the green dial versions) and I loved your comprehensive comparisons. Subscribed!

[@thewatchidiot]

So happy to hear that I was able to help out a bit and that you enjoyed the video enough to subscribe, it means a lot! Have you already chosen which one to get?

[@buckotte1414]

why couldn't we put the quik adjust conquest bracelet on the Zulu ?

[@mariog7213]

Is it possible to retrofit the HC clasp on the spirit bracelet?

[@Jcauto-t4r]

I have the Zulu in 42 mm green bezel, stunning watch, I’ll buy this Hydroconquest next, I have the previous model as well. For the money Longines are simply the best all around.

[@Vess_Iossifov]

Hi, thank you for the video! Will the quick adjust clasp from the hydroconquest gmt fit the metal bracelet of the spirit Zulu time 39mm? Thanks

[@resjon7981]

HC GMT the winner for me, just prefer the watch overall. The dial is based on the vintage Longines Admiral diver. Dashes and dots over dots and dashes, Rolex opposite.

[@thewatchidiot]

Longines did a great job with the HC GMT I really love it! The circles were off putting when I first saw it but I'm liking it quite a bit now but I wish they kept the previous generation's crown guards to keep some the HC design cues

[@resjon7981]

@@thewatchidiot As a previous owner of the older generation in 39mm I have to agree but we can't have it all. May re-buy the one I sold!

[@K.J.H_]

Havent heard a review pick up on the HC gmt borrowing the indexes from the admiral yet

[@auxiliary4023]

I had the Spirit 42mm on bracelet in the lovely sunburst blue and recently traded it in against a Spirit flyback chronograph again in the sunburst blue on a bracelet, TBH any other Longine doesn't get a look in from me. The Spirit line is excellent bang for buck and holds it own against many alleged higher end brands.

[@timyoungnc]

Would love to see a red and blue bezel on the HC.

[@topticktimbit1692]

No doubt that Zulu Time is the better finished of these 2 watches. However, Hydro Conquest GMT is a 300m water-resistant GMT watch with a diver bezel. I would say that the Conquest GMT has a wider utility application, with the same movement. HC has a really good value proposition. I'm so damn torn between which of these two to get. HC = dive watch, tool watch, sporty watch, and a traveller GMT. ZT = pilot watch, dress watch, sporty watch, & a traveller GMT. Decisions decisions...

[@RuiMFilho]

Eu não tinha parado para pensar... mas o novo hydroconquest gmt compete com o Zulu Time

[@scott9739]

Did I miss the lume comparison? Initial and after 8 hours??

[@alfieakaronaldog]

I feel the Zulutime is better finished and is just more ‘Longines’ looking. I do prefer the dimensions and dive bezel on the HC, but cannot get over that gap! Both nice (I prefer blue HC to black) for the money and pleased Longines are doing well.

[@K.J.H_]

The Zulu is gorgious but seeing them on wrist the HC is more my style. I have a ceramic HC, I'd love to know if that gmt bracelet would fit.

[@LTV249]

Yes it will.

[@K.J.H_]

@@LTV249 are you saying that just because they're both 21mm or have you seen/heard something about it somewhere?

[@TeoKefalopoulos]

@@LTV249 no it won't. The HC bracelet has the same width but the HC's lugs are bigger than HC GMT's, so the upper/head bracelet part of the HC won't match the GMT's lug holes so the spring bars won't lock into position.

[@stoic900]

Are your rankings listed anywhere for all watches? Like within dive, dress, or any othercategories

[@basketballfan4eva]

Thoughts on the Zulu Time 39 vs Black Bay Pro?

[@gackerman99]

Zulu Time 10000000000% better. Better value significantly more wearable. The BB Pro is a shitty hockey puck

[@anthonystevens8683]

I have to agree TWI. Both are terrific watches with a finish that is hard to beat for the cost. I'm not too bothered about the 19mm lug width but then I don't change the straps that often but I agree it is a negative point. It seems like an increasing number of watch manufacturers have decided to use odd sizes so hopefully the this will drive an increase in third party suppliers to provide these sizes. If I was in the market for a GMT and could justify a new watch the SZT would be it but I do like the idea of a time bezel on the Hydro. Now if there was a Pelagos GMT in 39 with similar dimensions to the 39 that might be harder to resist. Many thanks for sharing.

[@thewatchidiot]

Yeah the odd lug width isnt as a big a deal here bc of how good both bracelets are so i dont see myself really needing to swap them out for anything else very often. Thankfully compared to a few years ago there are more odd lug width straps available but still no where near as many when compared to even luid widths and especially no where close to 20mm. But fingers crossed that these watches become super popular to give aftermarket folks a reason to make specific straps and bracelets for these as well! oof a 39mm pelagos would be an instant buy for me fingers crossed for 2024!

[@fabfour289]

Longines, pls use the HC clasp + quick adjust for the Zulu. I would prefer the winghour glass logo to the big, brand text. Thanks for the vid, man.

[@jeffmccann6608]

Hi Enjoyed your video. What model number is the Zulu 39? Jeff

[@heldercomp]

Amazing video, thanks for answering my request for comparison. I would definitely go with the SZT 39mm.

[@thewatchidiot]

Glad to hear you enjoyed the video! The SZT is a spectacular watch no doubt about it! It was great seeing them side by side

[@mraskett]

Can you check if the bracelets are swappable? Longines lets you order parts and I prefer the female endlinks and on the fly adjustment of the hydroconquest gmt bracelet. Would be cool to just buy that for my Zulu time 39mm.

[@thewatchidiot]

The endlinks are different so unfortunately they would not be able to be swapped, and I'm 99% sure swapping the clasps won't be possible since the HC GMT clasp is attached differently😬 I wish they were swappable!

[@mraskett]

@@thewatchidiotthanks for saving me the trouble haha, you deserve a follow. Great channel!

[@TeoKefalopoulos]

great comparison review! have you tried to put the Spirit Zulu bracelet on the HC GMT? does it fit?

[@jwillwork3683]

Genius!

[@berserkkw]

Delugs offer a cut to fit rubber strap that tapers from 21 to 18.. but uses a clasp

[@drkesrf]

While i dont own these 2, i own multiple longines and have tried both on. The zulu is top top class. One of the best watches in the class if you are looking for that complication. The HCGMT is just ok. Its a bit too big and the bezel action franky is terrible. However, the rubber strap and deployant that longines offers for it is UNREAL. I hope they make something similar for the legend diver.

[@PatrickPhilippe308]

Maybe order the rubber strap available from Longines.

[@JungleRice]

Longines sells a pretty good rubber strap that fits both. They also sell NATO and leather straps that fit.

[@drkbarry]

Is that the 39 or 42mm spirit Zulu?

[@u.u.u9969]

I returned my Hydroconquest. I couldn’t get past the crunchy bezel , cheap looking dial, and weak bubbling finishing on the top of the case.

[@Jcauto-t4r]

I have both in those colors you showing. The Hydro in 43mm and the Zulu in 42mm. Both very distinctive watches with different approach. Both stunning beautiful and great time keepers. I love them both but I have a soft spot for the Zulu .. what a great great watch ! Thanks for the vid. PD: I have the Zulu GMT in green and a Hydroconquest in black sorry not a GMT.

[@joyling6526]

Both are great watches but I have to go with the zulu 😊

[@clarencebenjaminlim]

I always use my 20mm nstos on my 21mm lugs watch. Can't really see the 1mm gap.

[@thewatchidiot]

Yeah that sometimes works with me and it's great but there are instances when the gap is staring straight at my face! 😅

[@LectioDivina33]

Thanks for doing this comparison. I will stick to my Longines Spirit Zulu Time 42mm as in my opinion looks more classy on dial, case & bracelet all with mirror polished accents, the diamond dial cut outs are beautiful, the date window at 6 is amazing with colour date window and finally the arabic numbers look great. Its also a very original watch that is 100% a Longines. Thanka for the video!

[@thewatchidiot]

Sure thing! yeah the SZT is a fantastioc watch and I'm loving all the details you pointed out as well. When i see it, I see a longines and i like that change of pace!

[@andisetiadi9746]

Hi, been waiting for this comparison video. Thank you so much and very helpful. I own the spirit zulu time and it would be perfect for me if it is paired with the hydroconquest bracelet. If you don't mind, can yoh confirm if the bracelets are swappable between those two ? Man if the bracelet is compatible with the spirit, it would be over the top. Thanks again for the comparison video.

[@thewatchidiot]

Glad you found it useful! Yeah the HC GMT bracelet is a really good one I wish I at least could swap out the clasp and put it on the SZT! Yeah I can confirm that the bracelets arent swappable unfortunately due to the endlink profiles being different and I can't do my midlink swap trick either since ones a male and the other's a female endlink. Although I think I'm going to take another look at it just to see if there's anything I can do to them

[@andisetiadi9746]

@@thewatchidiot thank you so much for replying. Hope your channel keep on growing, and keep on those informative videos coming.

[@scollyutube]

A 39mm Hydro would make it interesting..... especially in Titanium too.

[@thewatchidiot]

that would be so good, a more affordable h link Pelagos 39 GMT is sounding mighty fine

[@danielbughirica9454]

Hello! Longines Hidroconquest GMT it actually has a deviation of 0,5 seconds/day.👍👍👍

[@martin998877]

Hi, I have the SZT 42mm, it's accurate to about 0.3 seconds per day. The lug width is 22mm not 21mm as you state.

[@marcgirard7551]

Great comparo! I went into this video thinking the HydroConquest GMT was the one to pick out of these but seeing them side-by-side like this, I actually changed my mind and think the Spirit Zulu time is the one to go for. The amazing Omega-like brushing on the side of the case along with the polished bevel are just fire and this might sound dumb, but that sort of onion-crown on the SZT 39 speaks to me. The thing with these... somehow they haven't pulled my heart of my chest like the Tudor offerings do or like the GS SBGM221 does. Don't know why.

[@thewatchidiot]

Thanks Marc! Yeah the case finishing of the SZT is pretty great and it captures my attention Everytime I see it and I really like the crown too! I like that it's very much an onion crown yet it still stays modern like the rest of the watch. Oof it's always going to be tough for any watch to go against the SBGM221 that's for sure lol! That's in a different league in terms of how striking the dial is😬

[@ThingsHybrid]

Lack of crown guard in Zulu time is a deal breaker for me…head looks without collar…

[@jwillwork3683]

Love a 21mm lug width. If you can afford the watch go custom… Aaron bespoke does mine and I am poor….

[@TapasChakrabarty-j7r]

Lume score is left out.

[@frost12850]

Looks like ya found a use for those whisky stones 😂

[@TitoCanuso]

Artem Strap! Look it up!

[@metro2171]

Nice watches however I would not forget Tudor in place of these . Love the brush bracelet of the hydro conquest

[@thewatchidiot]

Tudors still undoubtedly great fingers crossed for a 39mm version of the BB GMT! Yeah the HC GMT bracelet is up there with the best, they did well on it

[@BM-si2ei]

I tried the 39 mm Zulu, HC GMT, BBP and Tudor GMT last weekend. The BBP is a nonstarter for me. Beautiful watch that is just impossibly chunky. The GMT just made me wish it was a GMT Master II. The HC GMT felt like an also-ran in the world of dive watches. But the Zulu... The Zulu has jumped to the top of my list of GMTs to purchase. It'll have to wait until I buy my first Speedy in a few months, but it was beautiful in the eyes of this beholder.

[@stocksxbondage]

@@BM-si2eiagreed! People get so caught up in value and which watch is objectively better (particularly “is Tudor worth the price jump when you can get Longines?”). As price/spec comparable as they are, I think they’re 2 very different buys. Buying a Longines Big Eye, Spirit Zulu, or Flyback won’t make me wish I bought something else in the future. However, Tudor is a bit of a stepping stone watch. Few buy a BB or Pelagos and are ultimately satisfied. You just want the Rolex eventually. Longines is so in a lane of its own, you don’t really care that there are “better” watches available. It’s also so far from Omega, you can be happy with Longines and never want an Omega. Rarely, would someone want a Tudor and pass on an opportunity to buy a similar Rolex… Tudor’s appeal is so tide to Rolex, you have to be ready to spend $3-4k on the Tudor knowing down the line you’ll need to spend 3-4x more for the watch you ACTUALLY wanted the whole time. Just get the unique Longines you like and save for the Rolex you really want

[@kresimirpleic]

6:32 that is absolutely NOT what COSC means. COSC means that an uncased movement performed to a certain standard over the course of 15 days, while it was being tested at their facility. That is all. And there is no way to permanently regulate your mechanical watch movement. You will have to repeat the process at some point because sooner or later, your movement performance is going to deviate from what people wrongfully refer to as "COSC specs". The "guarantee" that you speak of does not exist.

[@thewatchidiot]

I'm aware of what cosc certification entails and obviously watches will change as they get older and require servicing. when i say guarantee im saying that right now I can fully expect the accuracy to be within the +6/-4 seconds a day that is required of a cosc certified movement. I'm not going to wake up one day and find that its lost or gained 12 seconds in one night just bc of the movement's natural deviation. If that happens within its warranty period, I'm sending it back. This is why I am willing to spend more money on a cosc certified chronometer or any other watch that has been specifically regulated.

[@LTV249]

My is reading at +3-2 minutes per day.

[@stuartsibley3878]

Minutes?

[@Fb1907kysf]

Overall ranking HC wins for me …

[@kelvynbettridge]

Quick release bracelet is a fail. If it’s easy for you then it will be just as easy to come off when you least expect it. Great feature on a $50 watch.

[@thewatchidiot]

Its easy to push the button with the right amount of force and travel from my thumb when the bracelet is off... I cant imagine anything being able to apply the right amount of force at the right place upwards in the tiny gap between my wrist and the underside of the case.

[@gackerman99]

number of people here who prefer the HC GMT over the Spirit has confirmed that brain cells and taste are both rapidly decreasing in society at large

[@mohnnadmercedes8246]

Hate longines when sometimes do cheap design like this. Look how Spirit line is beautifully designed and much more unique compared they hydros

[@Studat]

you had hands on the hydroconquest? it's killer

[@thewatchidiot]

The Spirit line is great no doubt about it? That said while I do wish the Hydroconquest GMT had a bit more character it's still fantastic watch!

[@thewatchidiot]

@Studat it's a killer no doubt!

[@mohnnadmercedes8246]

@@Studat it has quality but NO character

[@Studat]

@@mohnnadmercedes8246 I guess it's subjective right. I love it

[@hosalito]

Those pinholes on the side of the Zulu clasp. No no no no no no no.

[@k9teamzagrebskolazapse149]

Thet are ok watches but when i compare them too some micro brands whic are 1000€,$ they are beter made, and its sad that they want too wee pay 100%more yust a name.

[@branmcg9844]

😴😴😵‍💫😵‍💫😵‍💫

[@azadr9231]

BS video, comparing a bunch of totally subjective parameters.