NEW RELEASE; The Longines Conquest Heritage Central Power Reserve
Monday - 29 January 2024
The new Longines Conquest Heritage Central Power Reserve makes its debut as a close rendition of an earlier 1959 model.
One of the key concerns for avid collectors of complication watches is the risk the power reserve indicator poses to the dial. In some situations, this feature can obstruct the view of other integral elements on the dial and can sometimes deduct from the significance of mains timekeeping. Not for the new Longines Conquest Heritage Central Power Reserve watch, though. By no means is the symmetry ever disrupted when it comes to the expert craftsmanship applied by world-renowned Longines experts. The proportions are just right and it just so happens that this beautiful interpretation of the power reserve watch is here to celebrate 70 years of the famous Conquest line.
The Return of the 1950s Complication
Offset placement or the unbalanced proportions of the power reserve are issues that Longines has always been sure to avoid when creating beautiful timepieces. Where many manufacturers would only think to relocate the power reserve indicator to the back of the watch, Longines has other plans for this complication and likes to demonstrate that with elegant wristwatches like this new Conquest Heritage Central Power Reserve. Instead, a strikingly handsome and well-balanced look is achieved in this new rendition of the classic timepiece, released by Longines back in the 1950s. A pair of concentric central dial disks have been applied to the surface of the display in these new models – each one adding an eye-catching variation to the already-esteemed collection.
Thoughtful Design Cues
A narrow sloping bezel and low domed sapphire crystal glass front are just two examples of how Longines overcomes the size of this watch on the wrist. Although a 38mm diameter, the watch still airs on the confident size. It’s a bold decision, especially when you take into consideration the fact that trends are now pointing back towards smaller sizes. The new release features wide polished upper sections in the case and generous chamfers. Thoughtful contouring applied to the shape of the lugs also makes the watch feel in proportion to the overall design. Meanwhile, the case sides have received a vertical brushing that adds another layer of light reflection, contrast and depth to the design. The gentle curvature of the downturned lug in this watch is pretty neat, to say the least. Around the other side of the case, Longines fits a beautiful sapphire crystal glass caseback through which the movement in motion can be admired.
A Combination that Just Works
The great thing about the new Conquest Heritage Central Power Reserve watch is that its design is so close to the original 1959 model that the two almost look like they could have been released side-by-side. The elegant dial design features a matte champagne colour adorned with long faceted golden indices and two concentric circular sub-dials placed centrally. This, of course, is the star attraction of the entire design. Longines experts have laboriously designed this dial to evoke substance and clarity. Packed full of charm and 1950s dressiness, the dial has two grooves that separate the delicate minute markers from the hour track. Here, the golden stick markers denoting the hours cross over the grooves, straddling them for an added touch of detail.
Battling for equal attention is the date window, etched in gold at the northern hemisphere of the dial. Nestled below the 12 o’clock location, the date aperture enables you to keep track of the passing days of each month in a rather unusual fashion. Stealing the show, of course, is that unique power reserve display. Its numbers are marked out crisply against a circular central sub-dial, denoting the remaining power reserve of the movement lying at the heart of the watch.
Alternatively, the watch can be found in a stunning anthracite dial version with rose gold-coloured markers or a classic black dial variant with silver-coloured elements.
Not Just Any Power Reserve
Rather than using a single hand to display the remaining hours of power reserve, Longines has chosen two concentric circles. Numbers have been mounted to a slow-rotating disc on the outside scale to show the hours. The feature changes the appearance of the dial throughout the day. The inner disc is where the printed power reserve hand sits. This uncoiling disc also rotates, revealing a complex but beautifully engineered complication.
The Movement
Inside the 50-meter water-resistant case of the new Longines Conquest Heritage Central Power Reserve watch is the Calibre L896.5, which has been manufactured especially for Longines by ETA – a sister company to Swatch Group. It beats at 25,200 vibrations per hour and delivers a power reserve of 72 hours. The most impressive element of this movement, however, is its accuracy. The Calibre L896.5 is accurate to -2.6 seconds per day and equals that of chronometer-certified movements. The movement is finished with perlage on the bridges, blued screws, and Cotes de Geneve decoration. It also features a silicone balance wheel and a magnetic resistance that supersedes ISO standards by ten times.
The new Longines Conquest Heritage Central Power Reserve watch is fitted on a classic black alligator leather strap that nods to the original watch accurately. As with all Longines watches, the model also comes complete inside a genuine Longines presentation box, alongside its paperwork and warranty.
For more details on the Longines Conquest Heritage Central Power Reserve watch, you can check it out within the Longines Conquest collection or call and speak to a member of our Jura Watches sales team on 01335 453453. Alternatively, you can email us a question about the new Longines release at help@jurawatches.co.uk.
