The Conquest has the distinction of being Longines’ first family of watches to be given its own name in 1954—a fitting tribute to the brand’s adventurous spirit. According to Daniel Hug, the head of brand heritage at Longines, before the Conquest, all Longines watches were identified by their reference numbers, making them difficult to remember.
In 1955, the Conquest was chosen for a trans-Atlantic flight on the Canberra aircraft, accompanying two pilots from London to New York and back within 15 hours. “The watch survived the journey despite temperature and pressure variations,” says Hug. Since then, the Conquest has grown in stature, celebrated for its signature pairing of innovation and elegance.
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Hug elaborates on the Conquest and its significance in the Longines' lexicon in this video shot in Longines’ museum in Saint-Imier, Switzerland,
Daniel Hug, head of heritage at Longines, shares how the Conquest became a symbol of innovation and elegance
For example, the Conquest has appeared in full gold as the striking Conquest Deluxe dress watch. The Conquest has also ventured impressively into complications, such as the flyback chronograph and the central power reserve indicator.
Perhaps a lesser-known fact about the Conquest is that it has always featured an automatic movement. This tradition continues today, whether in a robust chronograph or a more delicate pink version. The key difference now is the addition of a silicon balance spring, which resists the effects of magnetic fields to enhance performance.
See also: The flyback chronograph makes a grand return to Longines
The name Conquest was registered in 1954
The modern Conquest, crafted in stainless steel, draws its inspiration from 1950s models. It features rhodium-plated hour markers and hands coated in Super-Luminova, set against a dial with a concentric circle—a design element borrowed from the early timepieces.
The 42mm chronograph is available with black, silver, blue, and gold dials, and features a bezel with a ceramic insert. The time-and-date model comes in 34mm and 41mm sizes, with various dial colours, including mother-of-pearl with diamond hour markers.
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Longines Conquest Chronograph 42mm with champagne dial
For the 70th anniversary, Longines introduces two new sizes, 30mm and 38mm, in a selection of bright, summery colours such as blue, green, and champagne, all featuring sunray-finished dials. Longines Ambassadors of Elegance Zhao Liying, Suzy, and Barbara Palvin add a touch of sophistication to the watches showcased in the campaign.
Suzy, Longines Ambassador of Elegance
Longines Conquest 34mm with pink dial
The pièce de résistance is the Conquest Heritage Central Power Reserve, reimagined for a new audience with three references: a 38mm stainless-steel case featuring black, champagne, or anthracite dials.
When it debuted in 1959, the Conquest Heritage Central Power Reserve captured the imagination with its two rotating discs at the centre of the dial, showcasing the power reserve. It continues to spark fascination today.
As the watch is wound, the discs rotate to display in real-time how much further you need to go to reach full power. Suffice it to say, engaging with your timepiece in this way is an absolute delight.
Longines Conquest Central Power Reserve from 1959
The Longines Conquest Heritage Central Power Reserve for the 70th anniversary of the Conquest
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