The Pros and Cons of Buying a Longines Hydroconquest

Swiss watch Longines Hydroconquest

Friends, hello everyone, you are on the Feeltime channel, Stanislav is with you as always, and today we will talk about Longines Hydroconquest watches.

I looked at many reviews of the Longines Hydroconquest model and asked myself a logical question: “What can I tell you about this watch that is new and useful?”

Tell you that this is actually a cult watch, although this collection is quite young? So you probably already know this.

Tell me about the shortcomings of the bracelet and the clasp, terrible for this price, which terribly hurt my eye yesterday when I took the watch in my hands? But this fact was also mentioned in all the reviews that I looked at.

Then why am I writing this article?

• Well, firstly, this model is personally interesting to me and I want to understand for whom Longines created it and what guides a man who makes a choice in favor of this watch.  
• Secondly, looking into the catalog of the Hydroconquest collection, I saw a huge number of models similar to each other. Moreover, some look exactly the same, but at the same time they have either different references or different prices.
  
  So in the article I will tell you what versions of this model are and what are the differences today.  

Versions Longines Hydroconquest

Perhaps I will start from the second point and tell you what versions of the Hydroconquest model are.  

In 2018, Longines made a so-called restyling of the watch and introduced an updated version with a ceramic bezel versus the aluminum one from the previous generation.  

In general, the story is very reminiscent of the fresh restyling of divers from Certina DS Action, where the main changes also affected the bezel. This is not surprising, since both brands belong to the same Boss in the face of the Swatch Group.

It is quite easy to visually distinguish between the old and the new version. The bezel of the old type is on the left of the watch, and the new type is on the right of the watch. This is if we look at the picture. In real life, ceramics have a much more expensive luster than aluminum, and are generally quite easy to recognize. But if in simple terms, then the easiest way to recognize versions is by the bezel.

In fact, I don't see any other differences. Well, except, of course, for the price. The new watch has a price of UAH 80,640 (this is the version without a chronograph), and the old type is UAH 63,000.

Question: “Is it worth paying extra $400 for ceramics - very philosophical. I would probably pay extra. And what would you do, it would be interesting to read in the comments.  

Case size options

The next point, which concerns both the old and the new version, is that if you see allegedly 2 identical models in the catalog and think: “Why is this double here?”, Then you should know that there are 2 versions of the case - 41 mm and 43 mm.

And this is a very correct move by which Longines gives the opportunity to buy these watches to men with different wrist sizes.  

Mechanism Variations

In addition to size, there is another difference. There is a quartz version on its own movement L157 and a Swiss automatic movement also on its own movement L888 (version without chronograph), and L688 (with chronograph).

It goes without saying that mechanics are always more expensive.  

Thus, we figured out that there is an old and a new version of the Longines Hydroconquest, there are 2 case sizes in 41 mm and 43 mm, and there are different versions of the mechanism.  

Analysis of the Longines Hydroconquest L3.883.4.96.6

Well, we continue and go directly to our watch in the most charged version -   case diameter is 43 mm, and even with a mechanical chronograph.

Watch packaging

The Longines packaging consists of a nice box with an inner wooden plate. It seems to be visually similar to a tree, but I'm not sure, so I won't say.

In the protective slot you will find a huge booklet, classic for the brand, and an official 2-year warranty card.  

By the way, you only buy original Longines from us, I will leave links to this collection in the description of the video.  

Watch design

The design of the Longines Hydroconquest is absolutely original and recognizable. This is a serious plus, since it is not an easy task to stand out among the huge number of other watches today.  

If I were asked how I can distinguish this watch from others, I would say that for me this model stands out for its special dial texture, Tudor-inspired hands and of course the triangular design on the right side of the case.  

Yes, someone scolds this pyramid, but in my opinion this is an important element of the watch, which just noticeably highlights the watch.  

Moreover, in the version with a chronograph, the buttons are very harmoniously inscribed in a triangle, while in the version without a chronograph, we have just a one-piece design.

The crown, despite the large size, turned out to be inconvenient in fact. An uncomfortable grip, plus the extreme part of the head somehow unpleasantly creates a cutting sensation.  

Finish quality

The bodywork is top notch. We see almost completely satin finish and mirror polishing on the buttons and bezel.

Bezel

The grip of the bezel is very comfortable, the clicks are pleasant. And of course, ceramics is ceramics. It definitely adds a touch of class to this watch. Aluminum looks completely different.  

Watch sizes

Having started personally measuring the case, I already wanted to be indignant why Longines on the official website indicate the thickness of 11.9 mm, when my instrument shows all 16 mm, and then I remembered that this is still a chronograph and it is thicker than the versions without a chronograph.  

The thickness of our watch is 15.9mm and the non-chronograph version is 11.9mm. And this is another factor that is important to consider when choosing a watch, since this thickness is not suitable for everyone.  

The diameter of my tool showed as stated 43 mm, and the distance from ear to ear - 53 mm. The bracelet at the case is 21 mm, to the clasp it narrows to 19 mm.  

The weight on the official website is 223.8 grams, I showed 226.

watch on hand

On my hand, 18 cm in girth, the watch sits arguably. It is definitely good that the ears are bent and the bracelet immediately goes down. This allows the watch to sit adequately even on my small hand.  

But I would certainly prefer the size of 41 mm, since 43 mm is already rather on the verge.  

Disadvantages of the Longines Hydroconquest

It's time to pour a fly in the ointment. The bracelet is good, but definitely not outstanding. It is completely cast, the side parts of the links are satin-finished, the central parts are polished.  

I can’t say that this is a chic geometry. Just a nice bracelet. I've seen better and on much more affordable watches.  

The clasp is a total nightmare. Such a clasp can be found on some cheap Japanese, for example. But we are considering watches for almost $ 3,000.

Let's try to guess together what Longines will change first of all in the next version of Hydroconquest.  

Moreover, the inner part for fastening the tongue is matted. Guys, what are you? This is probably one of the most erasable coatings, and then there is also a rubbing place. Actually, you don't have to go very far. The watch on my review is new, and this dullness is already all scratched by the tongue itself.  

Given the professional water resistance of the watch at 300 meters, the guys decided to provide the clasp with a diver's extension. It seems nice, but the quality is again past.  

Well, the inner part of the clasp, which is cast and has a chic polishing quality, caused me complete dissonance. It was as if Longines had swelled all the money into her, but there wasn’t enough for the clasp itself.  

And if I usually recommend that you take a watch initially on a bracelet, then in this case I recommend considering the option on a rubber strap, where the clasp has a much more solid quality.

Obvious Longines Hydroconquest Benefits

And a spoonful of tar will be followed by several spoonfuls of honey.  

The first is a signature, expensive and deep engraving of the Longines brand. Without further ado, that's a huge plus.  

The second spoon is a Swiss in-house movement L688, which is actually based on the ETA A08.L01 movement.

This movement with a column wheel has 27 jewels, operates at a frequency of 28,800 vibrations per hour and has a power reserve of 54 hours in the specification, but for some reason 60 is indicated on the official website. Now I don’t know who to believe.

If we talk about the error, then they write that on average it is about 5 seconds. per day. And if we talk about the inaccuracies of Longines movements in general, then people say that in reality it is always very good and more often than not, watches run more accurately than stated. I would like to believe this.

Clock face

Continuing the theme of the mechanism, let's admire the dial and the chronograph operation for a while, which personally calms me.  

The dial looks very balanced, despite such a large number of elements.

The chronograph hands are red-tipped to separate the stopwatch and main time functions.  

The silver hands, playpen small dials and tall applied markers contrast beautifully with the main, expensive, blue color.

Plus, of course, it's nice to see the applied Longines logo and the life-affirming 12 o'clock mark at the top of the dial.

The Swiss Super Luminova, which shines in the dark, is applied to the hands and hour markers.

Covering all this beauty is a sapphire crystal with a multilayer anti-reflective coating. And believe me, the anti-glare in this watch is important, since readability remains excellent in absolutely different types of lighting.  

Results

The price of this model in the network of our Deka partners, who are the official representative of the brand in Ukraine, today is 123480 UAH, which is equivalent to $2900.

With an eye to all the advantages and disadvantages of this model, I tried to understand: "Who is the buyer of this watch, and what is he guided by when buying, when there really is a choice for this price?"

And I think that Longines simply managed to make a model that, due to its strong brand, successful design, was able to make a cult model, for which it is not a pity to give this money even with its shortcomings.  

It's just that this model is, as it were, a good tone in the circle of watch lovers. Your watch will always be recognized, you will be complimented, you will have something to talk about with another watch fan, and this is, in general, a good start for mastering the luxury segment.  

So what do you think of the watch? Your opinion is interesting, and especially the opinion of the owners of the model. I will be glad to discuss in the comments.

That's all for me, don't forget to read detailed reviews about watches in our Feeltime blog, and Stanislav was with you as always. See you again. Bye!