Haute News: Longines Unveils Redesigned HydroConquest Collection with Exclusive GMT Movement

Today, Longines has unveiled a thrilling update to its iconic HydroConquest collection. The revered line of sports watches has been revitalized with a fresh design and an innovative addition: the exclusive Longines GMT movement. The convergence of technical brilliance and refined elegance, traits synonymous with Longines, is beautifully embodied in these new models. Drawing inspiration from the realm of water sports and leveraging the brand’s historic mastery in crafting watches with multiple time zones, the redesigned Hydroconquest collection makes a grand entrance.

Photo Credit: Courtesy of Longines

A highlight of this evolution is the incorporation of the Longines GMT movement—a groundbreaking enhancement to the esteemed HydroConquest series. This marks the first time that a GMT complication has graced this iconic collection, which made its debut back in 2007. The GMT function, allowing simultaneous time display in two time zones, holds a significant heritage; Longines introduced this concept as early as 1925, demonstrating the brand’s rich history of pioneering watchmaking innovations.

Photo Credit: Courtesy of Longines

The HydroConquest GMT masterfully combines the practicality of a GMT complication, catered to modern globetrotting adventurers, with the innate spirit of underwater sports. This fusion results in a timepiece that seamlessly transitions from the depths of the ocean to the world’s time zones—a perfect companion for those with a passion for exploration.

Photo Credit: Courtesy of Longines

Longines has meticulously intertwined vintage-inspired design cues with cutting-edge technological advancements to bring forth a new generation of watches. The stainless-steel case back, measuring 41mm in diameter and featuring a screw-down mechanism, has been reimagined. It now houses the exclusive Longines GMT caliber, equipped with a silicon balance-spring and innovative components crafted from non-magnetic materials. This revolutionary movement boasts a remarkable resistance to magnetic fields, surpassing the ISO 764 benchmark standard by a factor of ten. Moreover, its precision is awe-inspiring, offering a power reserve of up to 72 hours.

Photo Credit: Courtesy of Longines

The HydroConquest GMT’s distinguishing features extend to its unidirectional notched ceramic bezel, adorned with a luminescent capsule, and the inclusion of a screw-in crown. A harmonious blend of polished and satin-finished surfaces lends an air of sophistication to the new models. The sunray dials, available in captivating green, brown, black, and blue shades, are complemented by a two-tone 24-hour scale. The hands and hour-markers, meticulously gilt or silvered and polished, are coated with Super-LumiNova®, ensuring optimal legibility even in challenging conditions. Distinctive triangular hour-markers at 12 o’clock, coupled with round markers at 6 and 9 o’clock, enhance the dial’s aesthetic allure. Positioned at 3 o’clock, the date window provides a practical touch. The GMT indicator, shaped like an arrow, harmoniously matches the color scheme of the dial.

Photo Credit: Courtesy of Longines

Designed for underwater adventures, the HydroConquest GMT models are water-resistant to a remarkable 30 bar (300 meters). They come fitted with a stainless-steel bracelet boasting completely reimagined H-shaped links. Notably, Longines introduces a micro-adjusting clasp to this bracelet for the first time, ensuring a perfect fit. The new watches also offer versatility in strap options, with blue or black rubber straps accompanied by micro-adjusting folding clasps, delivering both comfort and style. A NATO bracelet in khaki-green or beige expands the choices even further.