Throwback Thursday With The Longines Conquest Heritage 1954-2014 Limited Editions

Exactly 60 years ago, on April 3rd 1954, Longines filed for patent for its Conquest collection and name. To celebrate the 60th anniversary, Longines has launched the Conquest Heritage 1954-2014, a limited edition in steel, rose gold or yellow gold. And just like the original versions, the case back of these commemorative pieces is decorated with a gold and enamel medallion, the “gold seal of Longines quality”.

These are however a very special commemorative watches, as they not only look exactly the same as the first Conquest that was introduced some 60 years ago, but it is also made in exactly the same size. With a diameter of 35 mm it harks back to the beginning of this collection, and an era when men wore watches that are now-a-days considered to be small. We here at Monochrome Watches applaud this and wouldn’t mind of more brands introduce classic, elegant dress watches that are smaller than 40 mm.

Two months after filing for patent, Longines registered the name Conquest, with the Swiss Federal Intellectual Property Office, on 5 May 1954. This collection soon became very popular and even today you can find many vintage Conquest watches for sale. This new limited edition however, features a modern automatic movement, calibre L633 (ETA 2824/2), offering 38 hours of power reserve.

The Longines Conquest Heritage 1954-2014 comes in 4 version: stainless steel (limited to 600 pieces), yellow gold with sunray silver dial (60 pieces), yellow gold with a sunray gilded dial (60 pieces) and rose gold with a sunray silver dial (also 60 pieces). All four versions come on a black alligator strap with a buckle in the same metal as the case. Pricing makes these pieces even more attractive: € 1,160 Euro in stainless steel (retail price including taxes) and € 3,710 Euro for all three gold models.

Not only the size is the same as on the historical piece, but also the model’s name on the dial is in the exact same typeface as on the original, and so is the brand’s name, logo and the word “Automatic” on the dial, as are the applied hour markers. Even details like the gold and enamel medallion on the case back, are the same as on the original.

Some specifications:

• Case: 35 mm in diameter, 3 choice of metal: stainless steel, yellow gold or rose gold, Hesalite glass, screw-on case back decorated with a gold and enamel medallion, water resistant to 3 ATM,
• Movement: self-winding mechanical movement, calibre L633 (ETA 2824/2), 25 jewels, 28,800 vph, 38-hour power reserve
• Strap: Black alligator with buckle
• Price: recommended retail price is € 1,160 Euro / CHF 1,500 for the stainless steel version (limited to 600 pieces) and € 3,710 Euro / CHF 4,800 (3 versions, each limited to 60 pieces) for the three gold versions.

More info: www.longines.com