Longines Conquest Classic

Classically Elegant Sports Watches

The Conquest Classic collection joined the Longines family of watches in 2013. These timepieces combine the style of modern sports watches with the elegance of early Conquest models from the 1950s. The result is a timeless design that looks just as good with business attire as it does with jeans and a T-shirt.

Three-hand watches dominate this collection. With styles ranging from 29.5 to 40 mm, there's truly something for everyone. The different models are all united by their clean dials, some of which feature diamonds. Longines outfits each timepiece with a high-precision automatic or quartz ETA movement.

The Conquest Classic collection included chronographs until late 2018. These models exclusively feature automatic ETA calibers. Of these watches, the Conquest Classic Moon Phase is the most impressive. Its movement was made specifically for Longines and features a moon phase display, annual calendar, and a 24-hour display in addition to its chronograph function.

Reasons to Buy a Longines Conquest Classic

• Sports watches with classic, elegant designs
• Top models with a calendar, moon phase, or column wheel chronograph
• Precise Swiss automatic and quartz calibers
• Men's and women's models
• Especially exquisite: diamond-studded timepieces

How much does a Longines Conquest cost?

The Three-Hand Conquest Classic

The Conquest Classic Collection's three-hand watches bear a striking resemblance to the original Conquest model from 1954, especially those released in 2019. Narrow baton indices and applied line indices define their dials, which are available in black, silver, blue, or mother-of-pearl. Models with diamond indices feel especially refined.

The stainless steel case comes in two sizes: 29.5 and 34 mm. The reliable quartz caliber L156 powers these timepieces and provides them with a date display at 3 o'clock. Prices for these sporty dress watches begin around 700 USD. Watches with diamonds on their bezels and/or dials cost about 1,700 USD.

Conquest Classic Automatic

Longines also offered the Conquest Classic with a mechanical automatic caliber until 2018. These models are easy to spot thanks to the Arabic numerals at 6, 9, and 12 o'clock. Furthermore, these timepieces are available with a 29.5, 34, or 40-mm stainless steel or two-tone case. Otherwise, automatic Conquest Classic watches are nearly identical to their quartz counterparts.

Depending on the model, you'll find either the caliber L619 or L888 ticking away inside the case. The former is based on the ETA 2892-A2 and has a 42-hour power reserve. The L888, on the other hand, is a modified ETA A31.L01 with a 64-hour power reserve.

Plan to spend roughly 1,500 USD on a simple stainless steel model with a black or white dial. Watches with a steel case, mother-of-pearl dial, and diamond indices demand approximately 1,600 USD. If you prefer the version with diamonds on its dial and bezel, be sure to have around 2,600 USD on hand. The two-tone editions are the most expensive at about 3,200 USD.

Conquest Classic GMT

Frequent travelers should take a closer look at the 42-mm Conquest Classic GMT. The caliber L704.2, based on the ETA A07.171, powers this timepiece and lends it a GMT function. That means it can also show the time in a second time zone. Longines achieves this using an additional central hand and a 24-hour scale in the middle of the dial.

You can purchase a stainless steel model with a black or white dial for between 1,700 and 2,100 USD. Two-tone versions require an investment of around 3,100 USD.

The L688: A Column Wheel Chronograph Movement

Longines ceased production of the Conquest Classic Chronograph in late 2018. Even so, this column wheel chronograph remains one of the collection's all-time highlights. Many consider the column wheel mechanism superior to the classic cam-actuated systems you'll find in most chronographs. It also has push-pieces that function incredibly smoothly.

Movement manufacturer ETA produces the caliber L688 exclusively for Longines. Both companies belong to the Swatch Group. This movement is based on the ETA A08.L01 and boasts a 54-hour power reserve. It provides this model with an hour counter at 3, a minute counter at 6, and a small seconds at 9 o'clock. There's also a date display between 4 and 5 o'clock. A sapphire crystal case back provides a view of the L688 at work.

The design is equal parts sporty and elegant. The polished case and bezel are wonderfully refined, while the metal bracelet adds a touch of sportiness. If you prefer more classic designs, there are also options with alligator leather straps available. These look especially good paired with an 18-karat rose gold case. On the other hand, two-tone models in stainless steel and rose gold come with a matching link bracelet in the same materials. The dial comes in your choice of silver or black. Luminous indices mark most of the hours except for 12 o'clock, which has an Arabic numeral.

Be sure to set aside around 2,200 USD for a stainless steel Longines Conquest Classic with a column wheel chronograph. Two-tone versions cost about 1,100 USD more. Prices for rose gold timepieces top the list at roughly 7,500 USD.

Features of the Column Wheel Chronograph

• Stainless steel, rose gold, or two-tone cases
• Easy-to-use chronograph push-pieces thanks to the column wheel mechanism
• 54-hour power reserve
• Very good value for money

Moon phase, chronograph, complete calendar

Top Conquest Classic models combine a chronograph function with a complete calendar and moon phase display . The automatic caliber L678 (based on the Valjoux 7751) powers these intricate timepieces. A long hand with a crescent-moon tip points to the current date on a scale around the edge of the dial. The current day and month are displayed within the 30-minute counter at 12 o'clock. The 12-hour counter is located on the lower half of the dial at 6 o'clock and features a moon phase display, while the small seconds and 24-hour display share a subdial at 9 o'clock.

This Conquest Classic model is available in stainless steel, rose gold, or as two-tone rose gold and stainless steel watch. You can choose from a blue, silver, dark red, or black dial, as well as a leather strap or metal bracelet.

You can call one of these functional stainless steel timepieces your own for about 2,500 USD. Two-tone versions in steel and rose gold sell for as little as 3,300 USD. More exclusive models in 18-karat rose gold cost around 8,600 USD.

Function Overview

• Chronograph function
• Complete calendar
• 24-hour display
• Moon phase display
• Stainless steel, rose gold, or two-tone cases