Introducing: The Longines HydroConquest U.S. Exclusive Limited Edition

April 12, 2018

The HydroConquest is Longines's contemporary dive watch offering, and while it's nothing revolutionary, it is solidly built and affordable. Prices start at around $1,275, and for that you get a 300-meter water resistant case, a sapphire crystal with multiple layers of antireflective coating, the obligatory ISO 6425 compliant unidirectional rotating bezel, and a very nice double folding clasp bracelet with diver's extension. There's been a general update to HydroConquest this year (accompanied by a slight price bump). This fresh-from-Baselworld limited edition is the U.S. market only version of the refresh. Initial Thoughts The HydroConquest watches were introduced by Longines all the way back in 2007, as part of a larger rollout of the Sport Collection, which at the time consisted of four families. We had the Conquest and HydroConquest, which are both still with us, and there were also two other families: Grand Vitesse, and Admiral, both of which are no longer in Longines's catalog. (My impression back then was that the company was evaluating the market for contemporary-styled Longines sports watches. You might say they were, you know...testing the waters.) The big news for this year's update is the addition of a ceramic bezel, as well as the introduction of new dial colors and new NATO-style rubber straps. The USA-centric elements are fairly restrained C the numeral 50 on the ceramic bezel is in Super-LumiNova (in honor of the 50 states) and there's a small "USA" between the four and five o'clock hour markers. There's also an "Exclusive Edition USA" engraving on the caseback. All watches come with the standard HydroConquest stainless steel bracelet, and the aforementioned NATO straps (in blue, grey, or black). The movement is the Longines caliber L888.2, which is a re-tuned version of the ETA 2892 C the ETA A31.L01. While the stock 2892 is a 28,800 vph caliber with a 42 hour power reserve, caliber A31.L01 runs at a slightly slower rate of 25,200 vph and has a longer power reserve of 65 hours. Prices start at $1,800 for the blue bezel and dial model, and $2,100 for the grey or black PVD models. The Basics Brand: LonginesModel: HydroConquest?Diameter: 41mmCase Material: Stainless steel/steel with grey or black PVDDial Color: Sunburst black, grey, or blueIndexes: Arabic numerals and dot hour markersLume: Copious amounts of Super-LumiNovaWater Resistance: 300mStrap/Bracelet: Steel bracelet with double folding clasp and integrated diver's extension; black, grey and blue rubber NATO straps The Movement Caliber: Longines L888.2 (ETA A31.L01, base 2892)Functions: Hours, minutes, seconds, dateDiameter: 25.94mm (11.5 lignes)Power Reserve: 64 hoursWinding: Automatic and manualFrequency: 3.5 Hz (25,200 vph)Jewels: 21 Pricing & Availability Price: $1,800 to $2,100Availability: Summer 2018Limited Edition: 1000 piecesFor a closer look at the HydroConquest collection, visit Longines.com.