I strongly believe that Longines has taken a big step in expanding their sports watch lineup with this release of green sports watches. Longines’ new Hydroconquest line features fully ceramic uni-directional bezels and is available in both 41 and 43mm case sizes. The watches are powered by Longines’ calibre L888.3 automatic movement which, aided by screw-down crown and case back, are waterproof to 300m. The new HydroConquest is offered on either a stainless steel bracelet with integrated diver’s extension or a matching green rubber strap. Both the bracelet and strap feature a double security folding clasp to ensure the watch remains secure on the wrist.
Longines is also offering a more interesting version of this watch in what they’re calling a “bright green” colour as opposed to the other two models which they refer to as “khaki green”. This 41mm standalone version is labeled as a boutique exclusive and swaps out the standard green dial for a brushed ceramic dial instead. The movement is also replaced with Longines’ calibre L888.5 which has a silicium balance spring. It comes with both a stainless steel bracelet and a matching green strap which can easily be swapped out due to the case’s quick-change strap system.
When I first saw this new release, I was immediately reminded of a trend we’re seeing in today’s watches: Patek Philippe’s 5168G Aquanaut, Panerai’s Submersible Verde Militaire, as well as Tudor’s Black Bay collaboration with Harrod’s, all these companies have opted to offer a sports watch that has a similar green design. Longines enters 2020 with a much stronger lineup than they have had in the past. This trend of having ceramic bezels and introducing a quick-change strap system puts them in a much stronger position to be able to hit well above their weight class in the diver’s watch market. Additionally, Longines is able to appeal to a wider base of customers by now having HydroConquest models available in black, blue, grey, and khaki green. This easily races past Tag Heuer’s Aquaracer line and begins to approach something more comparable with an Omega Seamaster.
The 41 and 43mm khaki green HydroConquests are priced at 1,600 USD and the 41mm boutique exclusive version is priced at 2,400 USD.
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