The HydroConquest line has been around for a little more than a decade now. It’s become a mainstay in Longines‘ lineup referencing both the brand’s sporty appeal and their attentiveness to an elegant design. Now for Baselworld 2018, Longines has introduced the Longines HydroConquest Dive watch with a ceramic bezel. This new updated version of the Longines HydroConquest will be available in Sunray Black, Grey, or Blue. It will also come in 43mm and 41mm case sizes, as well as a chronograph version that is exclusively 41mm.
Specifications
Brand: Longines
Model: HydroConquest
Dimensions: 43mm & 41mm
Water Resistance: 300m
Case Material: Stainless Steel
Crystal/Lens: Sapphire crystal with multiple layers of anti-reflective coating
Movement: L888.2 (based on the ETA 2892.2) and the L688.2 (Based on the ETA A08.L01) for the Chronograph
Frequency: 25,200vhp for the L888.2 and 28,800vhp for the L688.2
Power Reserve: 64 and 54 hours respectively
Strap/Bracelet: Stainless Steel bracelet or a Black/Grey/Blue Rubber strap to match the dial.
Price & Availability: TBD
Analysis
This seems like a pretty expected move from Longines. The update of their watch’s bezel material to ceramic is pretty on-trend with other major Swiss manufacturers this year. In a way, I think it was a needed addition to modernize the line and keep it from getting lost in the shuffle with Longines’ other offerings. While, on paper, it does seem to be a pretty minor thing, I believe it will be very noticeable and bring great added value to the watches in person. While the price for the updated versions has not been announced yet, the current price for the previous version sits at just over $1,200. This seems like a good deal for a watch from an established Swiss watchmaker, featuring a great movement, and now ceramic accents.
Summary
As I previously stated, it almost seems like this update for Longines was one that needed to be made, if only to not be left in the dust in comparison to other brands. Ceramic acts almost as a stamp of modernity on watches today, whereas aluminum or steel inserts feel a bit dated. It will also result in a watch that can stand up to a lot more actual wrist time without showing the wear. All-in-all I would say that this is a welcome upgrade to the Longines HydroConquest line. Pricing and availability for the new HydroConquest models has yet to be announced but we’ll update you as soon as we know more. longines.com