Longines Hydro Conquest

The HydroConquest (HQ) is clearly a casual wear-sport diving watch compared to Omega’s Seamasters, Rolex’s Submariners, Tag’s Aquaracers, you get the type. What this is and others are not, is that its an entry-level luxury alternative to these offering the same flavour of the same dish for a person with the same appetite in an upscale restaurant instead of a fine-dine you have to wait days to get a reservation at!

You could wear this with jeans and a polo as well as your everyday office go about - and did I mention, a variety of water sports 300m water resistance and a diver’s bezel turn this watch into another category. The do-anything-watch.

There is reminiscence with the submariner in the styling but the large 6, 9 and 12 give this watch a sportier feel along with the diamond blade / snowflake hands. There is flawless attention to detail in the applied markers and the dial gives a good ‘depth’ perception. Did I mention it changes colours with different light intensities?

The lume is above average and the bezel registers firm clicks like a Seamaster, but lets face it, this bezel isn’t hard-core sport diving material. Never the less this is positively sufficient. The case is simplistic and the crown has a nice texture. The bracelet does not taper and adds to the Seamaster-ish feel.

The only thing that bugs me is the odd 21mm lug width, which means you’re out of luck with most common aftermarket bracelets/rubber straps and leather straps. Rubber straps of 22mm fit kind of snug, though.

The case back has loads of pretty. One needs to admire the thing with a close eye to get impressed but that you definitely will.

The movement is a run of the mill ETA and will usually remain within 15 seconds a day, no miracles expected here. Obvious choice as the Swatch group now owns ETA and Longines.

Given the price and the discounts to be had, this watch is definitely going to impress you.