This Longines Conquest, reference L1.611.6, revisits one of the manufacture's great mid-century designs without losing the restraint that made the original so appealing.
Its 35mm case is fashioned in solid 18K yellow gold, surrounding a beautifully understated sunburst silver dial. Applied faceted gold hour markers catch the light without overwhelming it, while slender hands, centre seconds and the wonderfully distinctive date aperture at 12 o'clock give the watch an unmistakably vintage character.
Inside is the Longines calibre L633.5, a 25-jewel automatic movement based upon the dependable ETA 2824-2, beating at 28,800 vibrations per hour.
Turn the watch over, however, and one of its finest details reveals itself. Set into the solid-gold caseback is Longines' superb blue enamel Conquest medallion, depicting the stars-and-waves motif associated with the historic collection. It's an extravagant detail placed where almost nobody sees it — which perhaps makes it all the better.
Dating from around the turn of the millennium, this is a particularly compelling interpretation of the Conquest: neither an original 1950s vintage watch nor an oversized modern reinterpretation, but something rather nicely between the two.
At 35mm in solid 18K gold, it wears with the quiet elegance one expects of a classic Longines. And beneath that elegance is a thoroughly practical Swiss automatic movement — exactly the combination upon which the Conquest name was originally built.
A charming, slightly unexpected Longines, and one that rewards a closer look.
No box or papers, but will come with a 2 year Roldorf & Co warranty.
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