Longines Conquest Classic

The mechanical watches in the Longines Conquest Classic collection are available at comparatively affordable prices. Even new, these intricate chronographs with a moon phase display and annual calendar are available for 2,300 euros. For comparison, a new Patek Philippe Annual Calendar Chronograph costs at least 35,000 euros.

Longines' column wheel chronograph is a very affordable alternative to many other Swiss chronographs. You should be prepared to spend about 1,500 euros on a used timepiece and 2,000 euros for a new one. A new 18-karat rose gold version costs 7,000 euros. The stainless steel model is comparable to the 2017 Autavia from TAG Heuer, a retro chronograph. You can purchase it for about 3,500 euros.

If you don't need any additional functions and prefer simple designs, then the three-hand watches in the Conquest Classic series are a perfect fit. Since the entire collection is still new, there are few pre-owned watches available. You can purchase new timepieces with the automatic caliber L619 (based on the ETA 2891/A2) and a date display for around 1,300 euros. Prices for bicolor models with an 18-karat rose gold bezel start at 2,000 euros, while prices for the rose gold versions are around 5,000 euros. If you want to gift your sweetheart a diamond watch, you should plan on spending around 3,000 euros. The timepiece with reference number L2.285.0.87.6 features 42 diamonds set in the bezel and mother-of-pearl dial.

Highlights in the Longines Conquest Classic collection are the automatic column wheel chronographs. Compared to a shuttle chronograph, a column wheel chronograph is considered more prestigious and of higher quality. It also has push-pieces which function incredibly smoothly. The famous caliber Valjoux 7750 is a shuttle chronograph movement.

ETA produces the caliber L688 used in the Conquest Classic exclusively for Longines. If you turn the timepiece over, you can view the decorative movement through the sapphire glass case back. The watch design is sporty-elegant: The polished bezel and case give the watch a stylish look, while the metal bracelet lends it a sporty touch. If you prefer a more classic watch, then you can choose an alligator leather strap. The strap goes very well with 18-karat rose gold models. Bicolor stainless steel and rose gold models, on the other hand, have a matching bicolor metal bracelet. The dial is available in silver or black. The manufacturer mainly uses luminous indices for hour markers, but a single Arabic numeral is visible at 12 o'clock.

The counter and small seconds subdials are in a tricompax layout. The small seconds is at nine o'clock, the 30-minute counter is at three o'clock, and the 12-hour counter is at six o'clock. The date display window is located between four and five o'clock. The power reserve lasts an impressive 54 hours when the movement is fully wound. You can purchase a new Longines column wheel chronograph from the Conquest Classic collection starting at 2,000 euros. Alternatively, you could choose a model from the HydroConquest series. These diving watches are waterproof to 300 m (30 bar) and are also powered by the L688 column wheel chronograph movement. You can purchase new models for around 1,300 euros.