The Longines Conquest Heritage collection, newly refreshed for 2025, stands as proof of the maison’s ability to blend historic charm with cutting-edge horological advancements. Longines, with its deep roots in Saint-Imier since 1832, has long been a custodian of Swiss watchmaking tradition, and the Conquest Heritage is perhaps its most evocative bridge between past and present.
It was in 1954 that Longines registered the Conquest as its first protected collection name, marking a pivotal moment in the brand’s history. This move heralded a new era, not only for Longines but for the industry, as it signalled a shift towards clearly defined families of watches, each with its own identity and narrative. The original Conquest models quickly became icons, admired for their robust construction, sporty elegance, and the distinctive medallion set into the case back—a symbol of water resistance and a badge of quality. Over the decades, the Conquest line evolved, but always retained its core ethos: a fusion of adventurous spirit and refined aesthetics.
The 2025 Conquest Heritage models, available in both 38 mm and 40 mm cases, are a masterclass in vintage-inspired design. The dials are domed and finished with a sumptuous sunray brushing, available in a palette that includes blue with rhodium-plated indexes, green and brown with rose-gold-coloured indexes, black with rose-gold accents, and silver with yellow-gold highlights. Each dial is a study in balance and legibility, with faceted applied indexes that catch the light and dauphine hands treated with Super-LumiNova® for nighttime visibility. There is a subtle two-tone effect, thanks to a circular-brushed ring beneath the hour markers, which lends the dial both depth and a sense of period authenticity. The absence of a date window preserves the purity of the design and underscores the collection’s commitment to its mid-century roots.
Turning the watch over, the case back is adorned with the collection’s signature: an 18-carat yellow-gold medallion, hand-enamelled and engraved with a fish motif. This detail is more than mere decoration—it is a direct homage to the original Conquest models of the 1950s, where such medallions were a mark of distinction, denoting water resistance and a spirit of adventure. The case itself, fashioned from polished stainless steel, is both elegant and robust, with a thickness of just 10.8 mm and short, comfortable lugs. The glass-box-shaped sapphire crystal, treated with multiple layers of anti-reflective coating, ensures clarity while evoking the domed crystals of vintage timepieces. Water resistance is rated to 5 bar (50 metres), sufficient for daily wear and the occasional aquatic foray.
At the heart of the Conquest Heritage beats the exclusive Longines calibre L888.5. This self-winding mechanical movement is a thoroughly modern engine, featuring a silicon balance spring and non-magnetic components that provide resistance to magnetic fields exceeding the ISO 764 standard by a factor of ten. Beating at 25,200 vibrations per hour and boasting a generous 72-hour power reserve, the L888.5 is a movement designed for both precision and reliability. It is a quiet but potent reminder of Longines’ commitment to technical innovation, even as it draws so heavily on its own archives for aesthetic inspiration.
The case, available in 38 mm or 40 mm diameters, is a study in proportion and comfort. The polished steel surfaces are punctuated by the brushed ring surrounding the medallion on the case back, a subtle play of textures that rewards close inspection. The lug-to-lug measurements—45.6 mm for the 38 mm and 48.1 mm for the 40 mm—ensure a snug fit on a variety of wrists, while the choice of a supple alligator leather strap (in black or brown) or a newly introduced stainless steel H-link bracelet with micro-adjustable clasp adds versatility. The bracelet, in particular, is a welcome addition, offering a contemporary twist without sacrificing the vintage spirit that defines the collection.
In bringing the Conquest Heritage into the present, Longines has not merely recreated a classic—it has reinterpreted it with sensitivity and technical prowess. The result is a watch that feels as relevant today as it did in the 1950s, a companion for both the boardroom and the open road. For those who appreciate the poetry of heritage, rendered with the precision of modern watchmaking, the Conquest Heritage is a compelling proposition. It is, in every sense, a watch for those who understand that elegance is, as Longines so often reminds us, an attitude.
