First Look

Into the deep with Longines’ HydroConquest

By The Watches of Switzerland Group | 4 minute read

Here at The Watches of Switzerland Group, we’re big fans of Longines’ HydroConquest collection. In just a few short years, the brand has added several reimagined pieces to the line, inspired by aquatic sports from sailing to diving. The new models all showcase its trademark traditional elegance and passion for technical innovation. The sporty models come with a variety of features such as matching stainless-steel bracelets, sunray dials, with the bezel featuring a new coloured ceramic insert for a contemporary touch.

Sports-inspired

Founded in 1832, Longines is revered for its sense of tradition, as well as the enduring elegance and exceptional performance of its horological creations. Auguste Agassiz founded the watchmaker in Es Longines, which means ‘long meadows’ , in the Saint- Imier region of Switzerland. Its winged hourglass logo was registered in 1889 and is the world’s oldest registered trademark to still be in use in its original form. Today, the horology house is well-known for its sports-watch collections, such as Equestrian, Conquest and, of course, HydroConquest. The brand has acted as the official timekeeper, sponsor or supporter of numerous global sporting competitions that include everything from the Archery World Cup to some of the world’s premier equestrian, gymnastics and athletics events.

The sporty stainless-steel and ceramic models come with matching stainless-steel bracelets and a choice of black, grey or blue sunray dials

Diving ambition

The high-performance HydroConquest watch collection was first and foremost created for divers and as a result, every watch in the collection is water-resistant to 300m. When first introduced in 2007, it was one of four parts that together formed the Longines Sport Collection. The scratch-resistant coloured ceramic unidirectional rotating bezel was introduced in 2018, alongside several new dial colours, which match the highly technical bezel. The collection is available in two sizes, 41mm and 43mm, meaning there’s something to suit everyone and every activity.

Down to details

These wristwatches are well-equipped for adventures in the water, featuring a scratch-resistant sapphire crystal with several layers of anti-reflective coating on both sides, while the screw-down case back helps it achieve that impressive 300m of water resistance. The Arabic numerals, indexes and silvered polished hands are filled with Swiss Super-LumiNova®, contrasting with the darker colour of the dials. Powered by the Longines in-house calibre L688, an automatic movement with an approximate 54-hour power reserve, the chronographs include a central 60 seconds hand, a 30-minute counter at 3 o’clock and a 12-hour counter at 6 o’clock. It also includes small seconds at 9 o’clock and a date display placed between 4 and 5 o’clock. Furthermore, the new HydroConquest pieces are perfect for all activities thanks to the polished and brushed stainless-steel bracelet’s double safety folding clasp and integrated diving extension.

Green revolution: the new HydroConquest colourway

In 2020, the brand released a new HydroConquest in a new colourway. The green tone chosen is both in line with current trends and reminiscent of a military hue, which adds to the rugged aesthetic. The stainless-steel bracelet complements the palette, but the watch is also available on a rubber strap in the same tone as the dial. The ceramic insert set into the bezel, also in olive, adds a contemporary touch.

The stainless-steel bracelet has a double-folding safety clasp and an integrated diving extension, allowing it to be worn over a diving suit, should the wearer intend to take it below the surface of the water. The rubber strap, meanwhile, is sturdy and reliable, and lends the watch a more sporting character.

A chromatic duo joins the HydroConquest collection

For 2021, Longines have further released more HydroConquest pieces. New two tone variations are enhancing the line further and diversifying out into more options for those who like colourful and bold pieces. These timepieces are true sports watch references inspired by the world of diving, combining performance with style.

The Longines HydroConquest is completely functional as a diver’s tool yet none of its diving features are overly intrusive. It remains a covetable piece of wristwear, regardless of whether you’re on land or sea ELIZABETH MILLWARD, WATCH BUYER

The blue, grey, black and green variations of this collection are complemented by two-tone variations in steel and rose PVD or steel and yellow PVD for an additional touch of elegance. PVD is a special coating created to add colour, depth and warmth to steel, and gives the opportunity for watch brands, and the wearers to opt for colours like rose and yellow as an inexpensive alternative to rose and yellow gold.

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