o mark the 70th anniversary of its emblematic Conquest collection (1954-2024), Longines is presenting the new Conquest Heritage Central Power Reserve, inspired by an iconic model from the late 1950s.
Unique in the world of watchmaking, its power reserve is displayed on rotating discs in the centre of the dial. Available in champagne, anthracite or black, this singular timepiece testifies to the brand’s technical excellence and timeless elegance.
An evocation of daring and of creative spirit, the Conquest collection was the first Longines watch line to have its name protected, in 1954, by the Federal Intellectual Property Office in Berne (Switzerland).
Self-winding and water-resistant from the outset, the Conquest line has always been associated with the world of sport and achievement. Symbolising this spirit of conquest, the collection was expanded in 1959 to include a model with a one-of-a-kind power reserve indicator, consisting of two rotating discs located in the centre of the dial.
After 70 years of its creation, Longines is reimagining this classic with the new Conquest Heritage Central Power Reserve. A striking tribute to the historic model, the power reserve is revealed on two rotating discs in the centre of the dial. This unique process, invented by Longines and used exclusively by the brand, places the power reserve indicator on the central uncoiling disc. In the shape of a baton widened at the top, it indicates the movement’s depletion level on the external coiling disc, graduated from ‘64’ to ‘0’.
It reveals the balance of power-reserve hours available, or in other words, the watch’s remaining running time. Rewinding can be done either by turning the crown or moving the wrist, causing the coiling disc to rotate. The aesthetics of the dial thus change continuously, creating an original poetic effect of the passage of time. This innovative mechanism echoes the long history of Longines watches with rotating discs, such as the hour-angle models developed for the aeronautical industry in the late 1920s.
Available in champagne, anthracite or black, the three-part dial of the Conquest Heritage Power Reserve is edged on its fixed part by twelve yellow gold-coloured, rose gold-coloured or silver-coloured applied faceted hour markers.
In keeping with the characteristic circles motif of the Conquest collection, a fine circular thread carries the facetted hour markers and separates the minute track on the fixed dial. Another feature of this model is that the date is displayed at 12 o’clock in a date window decorated with a trapezoid-shaped applique. Like the hour markers whose colours they adopt, the unusual skyscraper-style hour and minute hands are coated with Super-LumiNova.
Demonstrating the watchmaking expertise and timeless elegance of the winged hourglass brand, the Conquest Heritage Central Power Reserve is powered by the new exclusive Longines L896.5 calibre, visible via the transparent screw-down case back. Equipped with a silicon balance spring and innovative components, this self-winding mechanical movement offers a magnetic resistance up to ten times greater than the ISO 764 benchmark standard.
The completely redesigned 38 mm steel case, with alternating satin-finished and polished surfaces, is topped by a box sapphire crystal with multi-layer anti-reflective treatment on both sides. The lugs have also been redesigned for optimum ergonomics and comfort.
The Conquest Heritage Power Reserve is available with black or grey leather straps, fitted with a new steel pin buckle, in common with the latest models in the Conquest Heritage line.
The power reserve complication indicates the length of time a mechanical watch can continue to run without needing to be wound. This mechanism is complex. Inside the watch movement, a spring stores the energy produced by winding. This energy is then released in a regulated way to power the movement. The power reserve is a measure of how long this stored energy will enable the watch to tell the time without rewinding. The power reserve is indicated on the watch face, usually in hours.
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
REFERENCE NUMBERS
∙ L1.648.4.78.2
∙ L1.648.4.62.2
∙ L1.648.4.52.2
CALIBRE
∙ Mechanical self-winding movement
∙ Exclusive Longines Calibre L896.5
∙ 111⁄2 lines, 21 jewels, 25’200 vibrations per hour
∙ Magnetically resistant, with silicon balance-spring
∙ Power reserve: up to 72 hours
FUNCTIONS
∙ Hours, minutes, seconds; date window at 12 o’clock with a trapezoid-shaped applique
∙Power reserve display on two rotating discs
CASE
∙ Ø 38 mm, satin polished
∙ Round shape, stainless steel
∙ Box sapphire glass with multi-layered anti-reflective coating on both sides
∙ Crown with winged hourglass logo
∙ Screw-down transparent case
∙ Lug width: 19 mm
DIAL
∙ Domed
∙ Champagne, anthracite or black
∙ 12 applied faceted indexes, 2N yellow gold-coloured, 5N rose gold-coloured or silver-coloured
∙ Central disarming disc with power reserve indicator
∙ Graduated outer arming disc with black or white tampographed indexes
HANDS
∙ 2N yellow gold-coloured, 5N rose gold- coloured or silver-coloured sky-scraper style polished hands filled with Super-LumiNova (hours and minutes)
∙ Baton-type hand (seconds)
WATER-RESISTANCE
Up to 5 bar (50 meters)
STRAP
∙ Black alligator strap on champagne and black models
∙ Grey alligator strap on anthracite model
∙ Stainless steel buckle