Longines HydroConquest

Longines has been producing the HydroConquest collection since 2007. These timepieces are true diving watches, with luminous hands and indices, unidirectional bezels, and screw-down case backs and crowns. Furthermore, with a depth rating of 300 m (30 bar, 984 ft), the HydroConquest is robust enough for scuba diving. Each stainless steel bracelet and rubber strap also comes with a practical extension system so that the watch can fit over any wetsuit.

Longines gave this popular collection a facelift in 2018, adding models with ceramic bezels and redesigned dials. A black timepiece with an all-ceramic case followed in 2019. That same year saw the release of the collection's first 43 and 44-mm models in addition to the traditional 41-mm editions.

In 2019, Longines introduced the caliber L888 to the series' automatic three-hand watches. The brand's automatic chronographs use the caliber L688 with a column wheel. The ebauché movement manufacturer ETA produces both movements exclusively for Longines.

Green has been a popular color in the watch industry for a while now, and in 2020, the color made its debut in the HydroConquest collection. Longines offers both 41 and 43-mm editions with green accents. The manufacturer mounts these timepieces on stainless steel and two-tone bracelets, as well as on green rubber straps.

The most affordable HydroConquest watches have quartz calibers and cost about 900 USD in mint condition. For this price, you can get a stainless steel three-hand watch like the L3.840.4.96.6 with a blue dial. With a budget of approximately 1,000 USD, you can purchase a mechanical model with an aluminum bezel. If you're looking for something with a ceramic bezel, be prepared to spend at least 1,300 USD, Never-worn mechanical chronographs like the L3.644.4.56.6 sell for about 1,700 USD. The collection's top model, the three-hand ref. L3.784.4.56.9, is solid ceramic and changes hands for roughly 3,100 USD.

The very first HydroConquest model bears the reference number L3.742.4.56.6. Introduced in 2007, this stainless steel three-hand watch features an aluminum bezel and is 41 mm in diameter. Applied dot and line indices join Arabic numerals at 6, 9, and 12 atop the black sunburst dial. Despite the different types of indices, the dial still looks harmonious and well balanced. The watch gets its power from the automatic caliber L888, a modified version of the ETA A31.L02. This movement ticks at 25,200 vibrations per second (vph) and boasts a 72-hour power reserve. Furthermore, it provides the HydroConquest with hour, minute, and second hands and a date display at 3 o'clock.

The ref. L3.742.4.56.6 comes on a three-piece link stainless steel bracelet with polished middle links. A mint-condition model will set you back around 1,000 USD. The L3.742.4.96.6 is the same size and uses the same technology but features a blue sunburst dial. Like the black edition, this version also demands roughly 1,000 USD.

Those with narrower wrists may prefer the 39-mm editions like the ref. L3.741.4.96.6 with a blue dial and the L3.741.4.56.6 with a black dial. Both cost about 1,100 USD. Longines also produces three-hand HydroConquest models for enthusiasts with larger wrists. Like the 41-mm watch, the 44-mm L3.841.4.56.6 with a black dial requires an investment of around 1,000 USD. The same timepiece with a blue dial demands similar prices.

Fans of two-tone watches should take a closer look at the ref. L3.742.3.96.7. This timepiece's bracelet middle links, bezel, and crown are plated in yellow gold, and its blue dial contrasts beautifully with the rest of the watch. You can call this model your own for approximately 1,200 USD. The ref. L3.742.3.56.7 combines a two-tone design with a black dial and costs about the same as the version with a blue dial.

In 2018, Longines launched a series of new HydroConquest watches with 41 and 43-mm diameters. The manufacturer's designers treated the dials to a minor facelift and replaced the aluminum bezels with ceramic ones. Thanks to their shortened minute track and lack of applied line indices, the resulting dials look much tidier. The bezel design also feels much more moderate and less cluttered than previous models.

You can choose from a wide range of color and band combinations. While classic stainless steel editions with blue or black dials remain, Longines has added two-tone versions as well as variants with gray or green dials. Furthermore, the watches are also available on matching rubber straps.

The 43-mm ref. L3.782.4.56.6 with a black dial is one of the classic models. It has an automatic movement, stainless steel bracelet, and costs about 1,300 USD in mint condition. The same watch on a black rubber strap demands an additional 55 USD. The ref. L3.781.4.56.6 is identical to the previous model but for its diameter of 41 mm. Again, be prepared to pay around 1,300 USD for this timepiece. The variant with a blue dial sells for similar prices.

Longines produces two-tone models in a combination of stainless steel and yellow gold or stainless steel and rose gold. These timepieces are exclusively 41 mm in diameter. The ref. L3.781.3.58.7 is the rose gold variant and has a black dial and steel bracelet. Prices for this model sit around 1,700 USD on Chrono24. You can purchase the yellow gold version with a blue dial (ref. L3.781.3.96.7) for the same price.

In 2020, Longines introduced the ref. L3.781.4.06.6, the first HydroConquest with a green dial and bezel. Its case and bracelet are stainless steel. In terms of technology, this timepiece is identical to the collection's other three-hand models. A never-worn watch demands some 1,300 USD. The 43-mm edition costs about the same. Longines also offers a two-tone model in steel and yellow gold with a green dial. This watch is 41-mm in diameter and sells for about 1,300 USD.

The 43-mm ref. L3.784.4.56.9 from 2019 stands out with its solid black ceramic case and bezel. Like the other HydroConquest models, it is water-resistant to 300 m (30 bar, 984 ft). Its dial is also matte black ceramic and features applied dot indices and Arabic numerals at 6, 9, and 12. The indices and silver-plated hands are filled with SuperLuminova. Inside the case, you'll find the proven caliber L888. A black rubber strap with a double fold-over safety clasp holds the timepiece securely on the wrist. You can call this model your own for roughly 3,100 USD.

Like the three-hand models, the HydroConquest collection's chronographs also received a visual update in 2019. The current line uses the automatic chronograph caliber L688 with a 60-hour power reserve. Its dials have a classic three-subdial layout with a minute counter at 3, 12-hour counter at 6, and small seconds at 9 o'clock. A date display at 4:30 completes the look.

The dials and bezels are available in black, blue, and gray. Each watch is made of stainless steel and is 43 mm in diameter. The case is water-resistant to 300 m (39 bar, 984 ft) and is mounted on your choice of a stainless steel bracelet or rubber strap in the same color as the dial and bezel.

One example is the ref. L3.883.4.56.6. This version pairs a black dial with a stainless steel bracelet and costs around 2,100 USD in mint condition. You can save a small amount by purchasing the same watch on a rubber strap. The other color variants demand similar prices.