Longines HydroConquest Review (Read BEFORE You Buy!)

The Longines HydroConquest has been a watch I’ve recommended to newbies to the watch-collecting game for years. It’s a watch I’ve had a lot of hands-on time with, and every single time, I’m impressed with its value proposition. Whether you’re just getting into the hobby or you’re looking for a solid dive watch that won’t break the bank, the HydroConquest delivers.

With its bold, contemporary design and robust water resistance, it checks all the boxes of a serious dive watch while looking equally at home under a cuff or on the beach. Since its debut in 2007, the collection has grown to offer a variety of sizes, colors, and materials, so there’s pretty much something for everyone. 

Sure, the HydroConquest doesn’t have quite the same legacy or collectability as a Rolex or an Omega, but if you’re not caught up in all that—and honestly, not everyone is—it might just be the perfect watch to save you a couple of zeros on the price tag.

So, what exactly does the Longines HydroConquest offer?

A Quick History of the Longines HydroConquest

Longines, one of the oldest names in Swiss watchmaking, has been crafting timepieces since 1832 in Saint-Imier, Switzerland—a village whose name literally means “the long meadows” or “les longines.” 

While the brand had been producing watches for over a century, it wasn’t until 1954 that Longines began giving its collections distinct names, starting with “Conquest.” The original Conquest was groundbreaking, boasting an accurate automatic movement, a water-resistant case, and protection against magnetism and shocks. But despite its utility, it leaned toward the dressy side, with clean lines, a compact 35mm case, and a minimalist dial.

Fast forward to 2007, and Longines introduced the HydroConquest as part of its Sport Collection, marking a bold step for the brand as it entered dive watch territory. Unlike many of its other collections that leaned heavily on heritage-inspired designs, the HydroConquest was a fresh, forward-looking creation. 

While the Longines Legend Diver, for example, is a nostalgic nod to the past, the HydroConquest is a thoroughly modern creation that’s become a cornerstone of the brand’s lineup.

It’s a watch best known for its high-performance specs, like the 300-meter water resistance rating and a unidirectional rotating bezel. These features are tailor-made for divers but will also appeal to anyone seeking a robust, sporty watch. 

Since its debut, the Longines HydroConquest has evolved significantly, introducing new technologies, complications, and materials. For example, in 2018, Longines upped the ante by introducing scratch-resistant ceramic bezels and expanding its palette of dial colors. Today, the collection includes a wide array of options, from different case sizes to vibrant dial and bezel combinations.

A Diver’s Case

The case of the Longines HydroConquest embodies a design language that feels both familiar and uniquely its own. It riffs on iconic elements that seasoned watch enthusiasts will instantly recognize. 

There’s the sporty, robust case shape and the uni-directional bezel with its standard dive watch typeface, but these elements come together in a way that feels distinctly Longines. It’s a perfect blend of heritage inspiration and modern design, resulting in a watch that’s as capable as it is stylish.

The Longines HydroConquest collection offers case sizes ranging from a compact 32mm to a substantial 44mm, catering to a wide range of wrist sizes and preferences. Regardless of the size, the case shares the same defining features: bold, angular lines, strong lugs, and prominent crown protectors flanking the crown at 3 o’clock. 

Even on the petite 32mm model, these features are present, but they’re so well executed that the watch never feels over-the-top or bulky. It’s sporty to its core yet refined enough to wear daily.

The case showcases a mix of brushed and polished finishes, enhancing its sporty-dressy versatility. Despite its rugged appearance and impressive 300-meter water resistance, it’s surprisingly slim. 

Even the largest 44mm model with an automatic movement measures just 11.9mm thick, a remarkable feat for a professional grade dive watch. This slim profile makes it easy to wear under a cuff while still exuding the durability and confidence needed for diving.

The bezel is another highlight, featuring a unidirectional ratcheting mechanism with a 60-minute dive scale. The first 15 minutes are marked in detail, with Arabic numerals at 10-minute intervals for precise tracking. 

Modern HydroConquest models elevate this with ceramic bezel inserts, available in vibrant hues like blue, black, green, and gray. There are also some stunning two-tone models that add a touch of luxury by pairing gold-plated bezels and crowns with the steel cases.

Securing the impressive water resistance is a screw-down crown and a screw-in case back, the latter engraved with the Longines winged logo and “EFC,” which stands for “Établissement Longines Francillon,” a nod to the brand’s historical roots. The case also features a sapphire crystal with anti-reflective treatment, ensuring durability and excellent readability in all lighting conditions.

A Brilliantly Legible Dial

If there’s one thing in a dive watch that’s paramount, other than the water resistance, it’s the legibility of the dial. Clear timekeeping can be the difference between a successful dive and a critical error, and it’s clear the Longines HydroConquest embraces this fundamental principle and executes it brilliantly. Every element of its dial design is tailored to ensure optimal readability, whether you’re underwater or simply glancing at your wrist on land.

The dial layout is classic and functional. Three applied Arabic numerals are positioned at 12, 6, and 9 o’clock, with a date window replacing the numeral at 3 o’clock. These numerals, along with bold rectangular hour markers, are generously coated in glow-in-the-dark Super-LumiNova, ensuring excellent visibility in low-light or murky underwater conditions. 

The handset is equally striking and functional, consisting of a short, faceted hour hand with a luminous diamond tip, a baton-style minute hand, and a lollipop-style sweep seconds hand. This combination enhances legibility and evokes the design language of iconic dive watches that have proven themselves over decades.

Longines offers a variety of dial finishes within the HydroConquest range, catering to diverse tastes. Options include sunray-brushed blue, grey, and black dials, as well as matte-finished green and black dials. 

These variations maintain the same practical layout and hardware, ensuring the signature HydroConquest looks across the collection. The only departure from this formula is found in select 32mm models, which swap the luminous numerals and markers for diamond indices which are set upon a backdrop of iridescent white mother of pearl.

The dial hardware is meticulously crafted to match the case material. On two-tone models with gold-plated accents, for example, the hands and markers are also finished in gold, providing a seamless aesthetic. Completing the design are the Longines logo at 12 o’clock, featuring the iconic winged emblem, and additional text at 6 o’clock denoting the watch’s impressive 300-meter water resistance and the movement inside.

A Swiss-Made Movement 

And, of course, there are a couple of movement options to choose from, too. This will depend on your own passions and needs. If you’re a lover of traditional watchmaking techniques and have a little more budget to spare, then the Longines HydroConquest Automatic is a fantastic choice. Meanwhile, the Longines HydroConquest Quartz makes the diver’s watch more affordable and will only require a single battery change every couple of years. 

The quartz-powered HydroConquest models typically house the Longines L156 or L157 calibers, both of which are based on ETA quartz movements (ETA, like Longines, is part of the Swatch Group). 

These Swiss-made movements are renowned for their precision and reliability. A standout feature of these quartz calibers is the End-of-Life (EOL) indicator, which alerts the wearer when the battery is nearing depletion. This is achieved by the seconds hand beginning to jump in four-second intervals, signaling it’s time for a battery replacement. This practical feature ensures you’ll never be caught off guard with a stopped watch. 

For those who prefer the craftsmanship of a mechanical watch, the Longines HydroConquest’s automatic models are equipped with the Longines-exclusive Caliber L888. This movement is based on the ETA A31.L11, re-engineered to meet Longines’ specifications. 

The L888 boasts a robust 72-hour power reserve, allowing the watch to run for three full days without winding, which is perfect for weekend divers or anyone rotating between watches. It operates at a frequency of 25,200 vibrations per hour, offering smooth hand motion and excellent timekeeping stability.

Multiple Strap Combinations

The Longines HydroConquest offers two primary strap options: rubber straps or metal bracelets, each available in a range of colors and finishes to perfectly complement the watch’s design. These straps significantly alter the overall look and feel of the watch, making it adaptable to various lifestyles and preferences. 

For me, the rubber strap is an obvious choice, especially if you want to utilize the HydroConquest for what it’s designed for: diving. The water resistant material emphasizes the design’s identity as a true diver’s watch and will work perfectly for those of you who love being in, on, or around the water. 

These straps feature a beautiful-grained texture, adding depth to their sporty aesthetic, and are available in colors like black, blue, and gray to seamlessly match the watch’s dial and ceramic bezel inserts. Beyond their visual appeal, rubber straps are highly practical, offering comfort, water resistance, and durability, which is ideal for active wearers. 

For a more polished and versatile appearance, the metal bracelets are an excellent choice. Featuring a classic three-row link architecture, they strike a balance between sporty and dressy. 

The bracelets come in two configurations: full stainless steel or two-tone, with steel and gold-plated links. The finishing is meticulous, with brushed outer links providing a rugged feel and polished inner links adding a touch of sophistication. This combination creates a dynamic interplay of textures, ensuring the bracelet looks equally at home with casual or formal attire. 

Both the rubber straps and metal bracelets are equipped with double-safety folding clasps and push-piece opening mechanisms. These features enhance the watch’s security on the wrist, giving wearers confidence whether they’re diving or simply going about their day.

On-Wrist Experience 

The Longines HydroConquest is one of those watches that just works no matter what you throw at it or what you wear it to. Seriously, it’s a watch that can hike up a mountain, dive into a pool, and still look sharp at a formal event all on the same day. 

On the wrist, it’s a dream. The angular case design, polished details, and slim profile mean it looks great and feels even better. The sapphire crystal is practically indestructible, and the 300-meter water resistance means it’s ready for everything from casual swims to full-on scuba adventures. 

And one of the biggest benefits: once you’ve left the pool, you can easily keep it on for those formal events. That touch of polish, the sharp case lines, and the compact case height mean it’s dressy enough to slide right under a shirt cuff. This thing pulls off a tuxedo just as easily as it does board shorts. 

Now, let’s talk about size because this watch is all about options. With case sizes from 32mm to 44mm, there’s literally something for everyone. Personally, I have small wrists (around 5 inches), so I gravitate toward the 32mm models for dressier vibes or the 39mm for when I want something a little bolder. 

If your wrists are on the larger side—say 6.5 inches or more—the 41mm and 44mm will most likely suit your frame better. But these are just my suggestions. My best advice is to try one on yourself or compare the sizes to something you already own. 

Price & Availability

For now, the Longines HydroConquest collection is a permanent fixture in the brand’s lineup, meaning there are no limited editions to worry about. This means these models are here to stay until Longines decides to refresh them. This also gives collectors a sense of stability, knowing that they can always find a HydroConquest model that suits their style and needs. 

As for pricing, it varies depending on the case size and movement you choose. The most affordable models are the 39mm, 41mm, and 44mm quartz versions, which start at around $1,100. 

These are perfect for those who want the iconic HydroConquest look and feel without breaking the bank. If you’re leaning toward the 32mm quartz models, expect to pay a bit more, around $1,775, due to their added luxury touches like diamonds and mother of pearl. 

Surprisingly, the automatic versions aren’t much more expensive than their quartz counterparts. So, if you can swing it, the automatic variants are definitely worth considering. 

These start at $1,375 and go up to $2,025 for the larger 44mm models, especially those with two-tone steel and gold cases and bracelets. It’s great value, considering you’re getting an upgraded movement with a 72-hour power reserve, not to mention the added prestige of an automatic watch. 

Availability is generally pretty solid, but like any popular model, certain configurations or colors may sell out faster than others. Still, with the HydroConquest’s enduring appeal, you can usually find one in stock at major authorized dealers and retailers like Exquisite Timepieces.

Conclusion

So, to summarize, the Longines HydroConquest is fantastic. There’s really not much else to say. It’s one of those rare watches that checks all the boxes, becoming the perfect daily beater, offering a perfect balance of style, durability, and versatility. Whether you’re diving into the ocean, heading out for a hike up a mountain, or suiting up for a formal event, this watch will always have your back. 

It’s tough, with 300 meters of water resistance, scratch-resistant sapphire glass, and a robust case. Yet, it’s also refined enough to slide under a shirt cuff and look sharp at a business meeting or dinner date. It’s one of those watches you’ll never have to worry about. It’ll always keep up with your lifestyle, and the variety of sizes, strap options, and movements mean there’s a perfect configuration for just about everyone. 

Bottom line? The HydroConquest is versatile, comfortable, and just a joy to wear. It’ll forever be one of the top watches I recommend, especially if you like the love of some of the more expensive diving watches on the market but don’t quite have the bank balance to support it.