Henry Cavill on elegance, legacy and what truly matters across time zones
British actor Henry Cavill has long been associated with roles that evoke strength, integrity and understated power. These qualities make his ongoing partnership with Longines feel like more than just another celebrity endorsement; rather, it reflects a shared value system built around heritage, precision and quiet confidence. As Cavill helps introduce the new Longines Spirit Zulu Time 1925, we sat down for a conversation that went beyond watches and into what makes Cavill tick.
“Longines timepieces are not only beautiful, with that classic understated elegance the brand is known for, but they also come with the storied history of pioneers. Longines were at the forefront during a time of true adventure, when travelling the globe was still the stuff of stories and legend,” Cavill reflects, pointing to the brand’s aviation roots as something that still resonates deeply today.
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Henry Cavill models the new Longines Spirit Zulu Time 1925 watch
He might not be designing his own watch anytime soon, but that’s not for lack of vision. “I am far too meticulous a creative to answer that here. If I were ever to have the honour of designing a Longines watch, then I would take my time making sure it’s just right (in my eyes!),” he says, with the self-awareness of someone who approaches both craft and style with the same disciplined intensity.
That discipline is evident in how he speaks of sport and aviation, two pillars of the Longines ethos. “Aviation being the adventure that it is—particularly that it was not long ago. A cutting-edge way to explore and see the unknown. Sport I always remark at; having to be an athlete to perform in my acting projects, I see the level of dedication required to perform at the top of one’s game in sport. It gives me a deeper respect not only for the athletes, but also for the importance of less than a second being recorded accurately at that level!”
Though relatively new to the world of horology, Cavill approaches it with sincere appreciation. “My journey into true watch enthusiasm is only just beginning, but I have always appreciated the beauty and craftsmanship of fine watches,” he admits. He finds himself drawn to pieces that balance aesthetics, function and heritage: “Ideally, all of those things, which, thankfully, Longines has!”
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Longines Spirit Zulu Time 1925 in stainless steel with rose gold bezel
The timing of this collaboration is especially significant, as Longines celebrates 100 years since it debuted the world’s first dual-time zone wristwatch in 1925. That historic timepiece, the Zulu Time, borrowed its name from the NATO phonetic designation for “Z” (UTC+0), a reference to Greenwich Mean Time. First created for the Royal Canadian Navy, the original Zulu Time represented a breakthrough for global navigation, especially in the age of pioneering aviation.
To commemorate the centennial, Longines introduces the Spirit Zulu Time 1925, a special-edition watch that blends the brand’s pioneering legacy with modern sophistication. Housed in a 39mm stainless steel case with an 18-karat rose gold-capped rotating bezel, the model debuts several firsts for the collection. The black dial, adorned with rose gold-coloured indexes and Super-LumiNova-treated hour markers, is refined yet highly legible.
Under the dial, the exclusive Longines calibre L844.4 offers true GMT functionality and a 72-hour power reserve. Its silicon balance spring and cutting-edge components ensure magnetic resistance far exceeding ISO standards, while the transparent caseback reveals a rose gold PVD rotor engraved with a planisphere intersected by the Prime Meridian.
For Cavill, such craftsmanship is more than a technical marvel; it’s a form of storytelling. “There is such a history to watchmaking and to keeping time. These days, we really take it for granted—quite how important it was for navigation, and how the smallest error meant the difference between life and death.”
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Longines Spirit Zulu Time 1925 with black NATO strap
Time, for Cavill, carries layers of meaning. “It means many, many things. Sometimes I feel like we don’t have enough, and sometimes I feel like we have the perfect amount. We can use our time in so many different ways. I try to use it well, regardless of how I’m spending it. ‘Spending it’—interesting turn of phrase, no?”
His personal time is a mix of the immersive and the restorative. “I’m a big fan of computer games, which can be both a disconnect and a wonderful way to dive into storytelling. Conversely, I also love to spend time outdoors, soaking in the wonders of the world. Where I live has a magic to it that is difficult to describe.”
Perhaps unsurprisingly, his most meaningful moment is grounded in home and family. “My daughter being born, and the five of us (mother, daughter, me and dogs) settling into our forever home.”
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