A legacy of innovation and elegance: Longines celebrates the 70th anniversary of the Conquest

Longines is celebrating the 70th anniversary of the Conquest this year

The Conquest has the distinction of being Longines’ first family of watches to be given its own name in 1954—a fitting tribute to the brand’s adventurous spirit. According to Daniel Hug, the head of brand heritage at Longines, before the Conquest, all Longines watches were identified by their reference numbers, making them difficult to remember.

In 1955, the Conquest was chosen for a trans-Atlantic flight on the Canberra aircraft, accompanying two pilots from London to New York and back in 14 hours, 21 min, and 45.5 sec. After the record flight, his Conquest watch “didn’t vary by a second despite extreme temperature and pressure variations from 0 to 50,000 feet,” says Hug.

Since then, the Conquest has grown in stature, celebrated for its signature pairing of innovation and elegance.

Above Daniel Hug, head of brand heritage at Longines

Daniel Hug, head of brand heritage at Longines

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Hug elaborates on the Conquest and its significance in the Longines' lexicon in this video shot in Longines’ museum in Saint-Imier, Switzerland.

Above Daniel Hug, head of heritage at Longines, shares how the Conquest became a symbol of innovation and elegance

For example, the Conquest has appeared in full gold as the striking Conquest Deluxe dress watch. The Conquest has also ventured impressively into complications, such as the flyback chronograph and the central power reserve indicator.

Perhaps a lesser-known fact about the Conquest is that it featured an automatic movement from the start. This tradition continues today, whether in a robust chronograph or a more delicate pink version. The key difference now is the addition of a silicon balance spring, which resists the effects of magnetic fields to enhance performance.

Above The name Conquest was registered in 1954

The name Conquest was registered in 1954

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The modern Conquest, crafted in stainless steel, draws its inspiration from 1950s models. It features rhodium-plated hour markers and hands coated in Super-Luminova, set against a dial with a concentric circle—a design element borrowed from the early timepieces.

The 42mm chronograph is available with black, silver, blue, and gold dials, and features a bezel with a ceramic insert. The time-and-date model comes in 34mm and 41mm sizes, with various dial colours, including mother-of-pearl with diamond hour markers.

Above Longines Conquest Chronograph 42mm with champagne dial

Longines Conquest Chronograph 42mm with champagne dial

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For the 70th anniversary, Longines introduces two new sizes, 30mm and 38mm, in a selection of bright, summery colours such as blue, green, and champagne, all featuring sunray-finished dials. Longines Ambassadors of Elegance Zhao Liying, Suzy, and Barbara Palvin add a touch of sophistication to the watches showcased in the campaign.

Photo 1 of 2 Suzy, Longines Ambassador of Elegance

Photo 2 of 2 Longines Conquest 34mm with pink dial

Suzy, Longines Ambassador of Elegance

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The pièce de résistance is the Conquest Heritage Central Power Reserve, reimagined for a new audience with three references: a 38mm stainless-steel case featuring black, champagne, or anthracite dials.

Above Longines Conquest Central Power Reserve from 1959

Above The Longines Conquest Heritage Central Power Reserve for the 70th anniversary of the Conquest

Longines Conquest Central Power Reserve from 1959

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When it debuted in 1959, the Conquest Heritage Central Power Reserve captured the imagination with its two rotating discs at the centre of the dial, showcasing the power reserve. It continues to spark fascination today.

As the watch is wound, the discs rotate to display in real-time how much further you need to go to reach full power. Suffice it to say, engaging with your timepiece in this way is an absolute delight.

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Evan Lim

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