Everything you need to know about Longines’ new Conquest watch
An update to a 1950s classic, the new model comes with a fresh mechanism and design upgrades
Continuing its excellent run of honouring its classic timepieces, Longines has just launched the Conquest Heritage Central Power Reserve. Celebrating 70 years since the Conquest collection first began, it is inspired by the original 1950s model and in particular its unique power reserve displayed on rotating discs at the centre of the dial – a mechanism developed by Longines in the 1920s for aviators and which places the power reserve indicator on the central recoiling disc. Shaped like a baton, it shows the movement depletion level on the external uncoiling disc, showing the watch’s remaining running time. To rewind, you can either turn the crown or move your wrist.
The first Conquest watch was launched in 1954 and came with a mechanical movement. At 35mm, it was smaller than the new iteration and had the Longines calibres 19AS, it was also the first Longines collection to have its name protected. In 1959 came the self-winding model with the power reserve debuting at the centre of the dial. In 1984 an even smaller model, the 33mm model, was issued and showcased Longine's then-new quartz movement which was accurate within plus or minus one-minute over five years, five to ten times more accurate than the conventional quartz watch. Finally, in 2014, came the final 35mm update, issued to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the collection.
The new model has some useful and welcome extras. Available in champagne, anthracite or black, it is self-winding and water-resistant while a three-part dial has 12 yellow gold, rose gold or silver coloured-applied faceted hour-markers. The date is displayed at 12 o’clock in a date window, and like the hour markers, the skyscraper-style hour and minute hands are covered SuperLumi Nova. The mechanism is powered by a new exclusive Longines calibre too, with magnetic resistance up to ten times greater than the ISO 764 standard.
The 38mm steel case has been completely redesigned, with alternating satin-finished and polished surfaces, and contained by a box sapphire crystal which is anti-reflective on both sides. The lugs too have been redesigned for smoother use while straps come in both black and grey leather and are fitted with a new steel pin buckle.
The Conquest Heritage Central Power Reserve is priced at €4,150 and is available from longines.com
