This week on Underwater Wednesday, the series dedicated to the diver’s watch – one of the most popular categories of men’s watches – we look at an excellent new line-up from Longines.
The HydroConquest series has been running for a while, but Longines unveiled some very perky new additions to the range at Baselworld earlier this month.
Longines HydroConquest Chrono
The new models of the HydroConquest line have a round steel case and a sensibly sized diameter of 39 mm or 41 mm.
The 3-hands-models are equipped with an automatic or a quartz movement while the HydroConquest chronographs are available either with the L688 column-wheel movement which was developed specially for Longines by ETA or a quartz movement.
If you opt for the automatic version it’s based on the ETA A08-L01 with 27 jewels, 28,800 vph and a power reserve of 54 hours.
The eye catching new dials are in black, white or blue and feature bright details in red and – depending on the model – 8 to 11 bold as brass Arabic numerals. The bracelets are made of steel or rubber in black.
The series is designed as a homage to men who have dedicated themselves to conquering the oceans and to enthusiasts of the open seas. As such they meet the strict requirements demanded of a professional divers watch: they are water-resistant to 30 bar (300 metres), are fitted with a unidirectional turning bezel, screw-down case and screw-in crown, lateral protection for the crown and double security folding clasp with integrated diving extension-piece.
All the models are equipped with safety devices such as a unidirectional rotating bezel coloured in red, black or blue, hands are coated with a generous splash of Super-LumiNova® for easy legibility both underwater or in the cinema. The watch also features a bracelet with a double safety diving folding clasp and diving extension.
If you want one, and let’s face it, you probably do, prices start at around £790.00.
