Longines first showcased their updated Conquest Chronograph in the summer of 2023 on a steel bracelet. For the summer of 2024 it’s back but this time on a rubber strap, which is a great excuse to get hands on with this behemoth of a chronograph. It’s big, it’s sporty, it’s very cool.
Longines are, to me at least, at their best when producing retro inspired pilot’s watches like the Spirit and classy dress watches such as the Master Collection. However, that’s not to say large tool watches aren’t in their wheelhouse – the Hydroconquest dive watch is one of their best-sellers.
At a size of 42mm in diameter in stainless steel with a thickness of 14.3mm, the Conquest Chronograph certainly qualifies in that latter group. It feels big even in comparison to dive watches and the tachymeter stands tall, contributing around 5mm of thickness to the piece by itself. As a relatively slim-wristed individual, I tend to shrink at the idea of anything over 41mm and this watch is 100% too large for me – and a fair few others in the Oracle Time office.
Yes, we’re that dainty. Fortunately, there’s the guys in advertising who can always be trusted to make a large watch look good and on a proportional wrist, it’s a very handsome timepiece.
It has a tricompax chronograph display featuring a champagne dial and black subdials as well as a black ring on the inner edge of the minute scale. Paired with the black ceramic tachymeter bezel the overall impression can’t fail to be reminiscent of the Rolex Daytona – not necessarily a bad thing considering the difference in price.
The chronograph function is par for the course: it has a central chronograph seconds hand, a 30-minute timer at 9 o’clock and a 12-hour timer at 6. It’s activated by the inverted pushers flanking the screw-down crown. I’m not the hugest fan of inverted pushers because compared to other styles they have relatively small surfaces for pressing, which can make it feel like you need more force to activate.
We should also talk about the rubber strap as that’s what differentiates the 2024 edition from its 2023 predecessor. It’s very comfortable to wear, which is what you want from a sporty timepiece and it’s convenient to take on and off with its deployant clasp. There’s also a cool tessellating pattern down the raised central band. Additionally, the black colour pairs well with the subdials and bezel.
Priced at £3,550 it’s £100 less than its steel bracelet counterpart. Aesthetically I really like this watch. It feels bold and sporty in all the ways that a chronograph should be. Plus, the L898 automatic calibre with 59-hour power reserve housed inside is very respectable. As mentioned, the size of the piece (and in particular the thickness) is the main drawback but if you can pull it off, it’s worth considering.
Price and Specs:
More details at Longines.
