For anyone who appreciates the look of watches from the golden age of Swiss watchmaking in the mid-20th century, choosing a favourite Longines piece can be a tall order. As of this writing, the Longines catalogue boasts nearly 400 timepieces, from the versatile Spirit to the stately Master Collection to the distinctive 1960s-inspired Ultra-Chron. Each of these watches boasts unique aesthetics and history, but they all share Longines’s signature blend of classic inspiration and contemporary execution.
Unfortunately for anyone who appreciates these things, the new Conquest Heritage just made the decision a little more complicated. Available in both 38 mm and 40 mm case sizes with a selection of handsome dial colours and a choice between a sturdy steel bracelet and several leather straps, the new Conquest Heritage embodies everything that makes Longines among the world’s most popular Swiss luxury watch brands.
Founded in Saint-Imier, Switzerland, in 1832, Longines has had plenty of time to find its niche in the world of fine watchmaking. In the 1920s and 1930s, it pioneered the burgeoning field of aviation watches, creating innovative timepieces for several record-breaking aerial expeditions. By the mid-1950s, however, with its reputation among the world’s leading watch brands secure, a new collection led the way to the future. Dubbed the Conquest in 1954, it was the first-ever Longines collection to be trademarked with the Swiss Federal Institute of Intellectual Property. In both looks and significance, it represented a paradigm shift for the Swiss watchmaker as it entered the modern era.
The newest Conquest models are a faithful tribute to that 1954 original, with a selection of domed sunray dials in muted shades of blue, green, and brown, as well as classic black and silver. It also features a signature 18K gold medallion, engraved and hand-enamelled with a fish motif in tribute to the original Conquest watches. While the hour markers and dauphine hands pay homage to the Conquest’s roots in the mid-20th century, features like Super-LumiNova lume and a scratch-resistant sapphire crystal offer the technological benefits of the 21st. Likewise, the movement includes a silicon balance spring for improved anti-magnetism and a weekend-proof power reserve of up to 72 hours.
In typical Longines form, between the two case sizes, five dial variants, and various strap and bracelet combinations, the new Conquest is available in more than a dozen versions, each with its own distinct character. As with most of the watches in the Longines catalogue, its combination of vintage looks and modern wearability makes any of them a tempting proposition for those who love mid-century watch design. It doesn’t, however, make choosing which one you like most any easier.
