Longines Zulu vs GS GMT, which of these two has a better finish?
Hello guys, so I've always considered getting a blue GMT.
Lately I've heard that Longines is launching a 39mm version of the Zulu Time very soon, which would be perfect for my wrist size.
I also like the GS GMT for it's dimensions and I also hear that the GS finish is unbeatable.
They both have unique looks, similar price and I love both Longines and GS equally and I'm not bothered that one is quartz and the other is mechanical, the most important think for me is the level of finishing and how it looks and feels.
I've never handled them both in real life which is why I'm still a little confused on what to get.
Now I need you guys to help on something, which of these two has a better finish?
Aymen Ben Jannet, Architect and founder of "The Watch Thread".
Sorry, just here to pick up the carcass of Longines.
C'mon man.
If GS is renowned for anything, it's their polish. That's the first thing that'll be mentioned in any article about GS.
Be it the dial, the case or what-have-ya. The finish is the product. Spring Drive comes in at a close second.
Of course, I have owner's bias but since you posted the one I have (albeit the 003 and not the 005) and I've handled the one you posted as a comparison, I can tell you that the GS beats the Longines head over heels.
Long story short: Get the one you like most on your wrist (the GS is my best fitting piece on top of all the other reasons why it won't leave my collection).
The GS finishing is just one step above overall in every aspect. The details on the dial and case polishing is just superior.
Saying that, the Longines is also close in terms on finishing.
Try them on in person and see what you like. That makes a lot of difference to your final perspective.
There is no competition here, GS is the only right answer here
I just got the Longines, and I love it, but if finishing is your criterion, I am certain that the GS crushes it. It surely must carry a significant price premium, and the movement and finish are appropriate reasons for that.
That said, you’d be nuts not to have these on wrist before irrevocably committing to either.
I'd pick the GS if only for the fact it doesn't have five silly stars on the dial
I'd go Longines, I think it's nicer looking by a wide margin. My only real gripe with the Zulu Time is that it's a 42mm, but at 39mm I think it will be pretty sweet.
On the movement or the case? Movement is going to be the Longines. Case, the GS.
I would go with the one that has a traveler GMT complication. If both are travelers, I have to agree about GS finishes. If both arte office GMTs, who cares. 😉
Ugh…don’t do this!!! I also love both brands but just not equally 😝
GS any day/every day (for me) … happy hunting! 🤙❤️
I just got the Longines, and I love it, but if finishing is your criterion, I am certain that the GS crushes it. It surely must carry a significant price premium, and the movement and finish are appropriate reasons for that.
That said, you’d be nuts not to have these on wrist before irrevocably committing to either.
Oh no I absolutely will do that, it's just that I have to travel to Europe to try them on 😅, we don't have them here in Tunisia
Oh no I absolutely will do that, it's just that I have to travel to Europe to try them on 😅, we don't have them here in Tunisia
I don’t have much where I live either. When I took a chance on my GS, I made sure I could return ship it if I didn’t like it. Traveling to Europe sounds like a better plan. Who knows what else you might see?
The folks voting for Longines are the folks who have never handled a GS in person I'm guessing?
ok whatever the finishing on the GS may be better but the longines just looks so much better in terms of design.
I'm certainly biased here.
I didn’t vote as I haven’t handled either. But I love the look of the Longines more and 39mm would only help in persuading me to pick it over the GS. I’m a big GS fan too but that would not be the one I would choose. Nice to be in a position to choose though and definitely worth spending time in a store where hopefully you can handle them both side by side. I would put my money on the GS being better finished but I would still pick the Longines.
If the question is about finish, Grand Seiko wins hands down. But if the question is which I would buy, I would actually take the Longines. Mind you, I own two Grand Seiko GMTs. I find a rotating bezel on a GMT really useful. The GS bezel doesn't rotate, so it's superfluous and unattractive for no purpose; 24 hour markers on the dial would serve just as well. I was actually really keen on the Zulu Time, but it's too big, so I'll be really excited if they release it in a 39mm.
My two favourite brands! I'd go the GS on this one but try them on if you can. Either would be a sweet watch.
As much as I love GS, this particular model you have in the picture is quartz. So assuming you lean towards mechanical, the Zulu Time is the way to go. But if you really appreciate ultra high accuracy artisan built and in house quartz (they even grow their own crystals is what I heard), then the GS has no rival. The design, finishing and technological accolades are all there
Both really beautiful - but the GS is a tiny little bit more special!
IMO that isn’t the GS model to get if you want exceptional finishing.
This comparison is not very fair according to price point. It's like comparing a Dura with a Submariner. The Zulu would win in retained value later on.
Ah, I did not take into consideration the holding value parameter actually, Thank you for letting me know.
If the question is about finish, Grand Seiko wins hands down. But if the question is which I would buy, I would actually take the Longines. Mind you, I own two Grand Seiko GMTs. I find a rotating bezel on a GMT really useful. The GS bezel doesn't rotate, so it's superfluous and unattractive for no purpose; 24 hour markers on the dial would serve just as well. I was actually really keen on the Zulu Time, but it's too big, so I'll be really excited if they release it in a 39mm.
Actually they already did release it in 39mm
IMO that isn’t the GS model to get if you want exceptional finishing.
Actually I'm a little constraint by a budget, about $3000
Just bought this in April for its superiority in polishing works.
Just bought this in April for its superiority in polishing works.
Congrats 👏, looks great, enjoy it 😁
Congrats 👏, looks great, enjoy it 😁
Thanks. I do.
If the question is about finish, Grand Seiko wins hands down. But if the question is which I would buy, I would actually take the Longines. Mind you, I own two Grand Seiko GMTs. I find a rotating bezel on a GMT really useful. The GS bezel doesn't rotate, so it's superfluous and unattractive for no purpose; 24 hour markers on the dial would serve just as well. I was actually really keen on the Zulu Time, but it's too big, so I'll be really excited if they release it in a 39mm.
They have done just that!
I have been looking at the Spirit blue dial for 2 years now. The 37mm was too small and I don't like the 40mm with the long lugs on a metal bracelet. The 42mm Zulu was too big. Now, they have the 39mm Zulu coming and I am looking at it but I am starting to change my mind on it.
When I look at the 39mm Zulu blue dial, I see too many numbers maybe due to the color of the numeral on the dial and on the bezel being about same color and about the same size ? It looks too busy. I cannot quite figure it out but maybe they put too much stuff on it (polish ring on the dial, the date, the stars..).
I did see the GS SBGN003 recently.Much simpler approach and the bling on those hands and indices are simply incredible. Although not in your choice, I am also considering the Black Bay Pro which is a GMT and in comparison to the 39mm Zulu looks much simpler, less congested.
However, I still love that blue Logines sunburst dial. I think it is the nice blue dial at any price point.
I have been looking at the Spirit blue dial for 2 years now. The 37mm was too small and I don't like the 40mm with the long lugs on a metal bracelet. The 42mm Zulu was too big. Now, they have the 39mm Zulu coming and I am looking at it but I am starting to change my mind on it.
When I look at the 39mm Zulu blue dial, I see too many numbers maybe due to the color of the numeral on the dial and on the bezel being about same color and about the same size ? It looks too busy. I cannot quite figure it out but maybe they put too much stuff on it (polish ring on the dial, the date, the stars..).
I did see the GS SBGN003 recently.Much simpler approach and the bling on those hands and indices are simply incredible. Although not in your choice, I am also considering the Black Bay Pro which is a GMT and in comparison to the 39mm Zulu looks much simpler, less congested.
However, I still love that blue Logines sunburst dial. I think it is the nice blue dial at any price point.
I too was very happy when they launched the 39mm gmt but unlike you I really love the dial. I like the GS too but I'm feeling that it's lacking something.
And As for the Tudor BB Pro, it's a little pricey for me.