Not all images were able to load for printing. Please close the print window and try again. The Longines HydroConquest GMT Now Gets a 43mm Option
It has the same cool design and great functionalities, just in a bigger case.
Next to the vintage-inspired Legend Diver collection, the Longines HydroConquest is a more utilitarian, robust, classic diver, with water-resistance up to 300 metres, a unidirectional, external rotating bezel, a screw-in crown and a screw-down caseback. Following the introduction of the practical, versatile and mostly visually appealing HydroConquest GMT last year in a 41mm case, Longines now launches a larger 43mm version available either with a green, black or blue dial, and with several strap/bracelet options.
Essentially, this new version of the Longines HydroConquest GMT shares all the characteristics of the 41mm version we saw about a year ago. The main change is related to its diameter, which now sits at 43mm. On one hand, this new, additional, larger watch feels a bit unexpected at a time when smaller watches are coming back in vogue. On the other hand, it is just an additional choice that will find its fans – Longines explains to us that there was demand from certain markets to have a larger diameter. And interestingly, it slightly changes the proportions of the case, making it visually thinner and more balanced, as it is still 12.90mm thick.
The stainless-steel case is still water resistant to 300m thanks to its screw-in crown and screwed caseback. The unidirectional rotating bezel, which is here equipped with a 60-minute scale, is fitted with a ceramic insert and a luminous dot. As such, the HydroConquest GMT lives up to its double vocation of a traveller’s and diving watch. Three dial options are available for this new 43mm size. The sunray-brushed dial is offered either in green, black or blue – the brown dial is exclusive to the 41mm edition for now. The indexes and hands are generously coated with Super-LumiNova for easy reading in all conditions. The date is displayed through the window at 3 o’clock.
Inside the watch (not visible under the solid back) is the automatic calibre L844.5. Exclusive to Longines, It is a true GMT (also known as a flyer or traveller’s GMT) movement as the local hour hand can be individually adjusted through the crown in one-hour increments. It beats at 25,200 vibrations/hour and boasts 72 hours of power reserve. It is fitted with a silicon hairspring and other anti-magnetic components to make it as reliable and robust as possible.
The watch comes on a robust H-link steel bracelet. Just like the 41mm version, it is fitted with a safety folding clasp with a quick-adjust system/wetsuit extension. There is also a rubber strap option for the black and blue dial variants.
Available as part of the permanent collection, the Longines HydroConquest GMT will be priced at CHF 2,600 or EUR 3,050 on a rubber strap and CHF 2,800 or EUR 3,300 on a steel bracelet – prices that are identical to the 41mm versions of this watch.
For more details, please visit www.longines.com.
1 response
I guess Longines must base this on their sales figures since most of the watch enthusiasts prefer smaller case sizes. Does anyone have numbers for how many watches are being sold across various case sizes for a brand like Longines?
I hope that a larger hydroconquest isn’t a precedent for the ‘regular’ conquest rework, I hope they release a smaller size (38/39mm) over a 43mm first.