SpotlightThe Longines Conquest Chrono Ski Edition: A Century Of Alpine Heritage

The Swiss know a thing or two about mountains. When you’re surrounded by the Alps, timing becomes less about hours and minutes, and more about those razor-edge moments between victory and second place. Since 1924, when alpine skiing was still finding its feet as a competitive sport, Longines has been there, perched in timing booths above snow-covered slopes, documenting those crucial splits.

It’s fitting then, that as we approach the 100-year mark of this alpine romance, Longines has created something that captures both the precision and poetry of competitive skiing. The new Conquest Chrono Ski Edition serves as a continuation of a story that began when timing was mechanical, when ski poles were made of bamboo, and when the idea of hurling yourself down a mountain at 140 kilometres per hour seemed absolutely preposterous.

Today, as Olympic champion Marco Odermatt tears down slopes with this very timepiece on his wrist, it serves as a reminder that while technology has evolved, the fundamental challenge remains unchanged: man versus mountain, measured in fractions of a second. This limited series of 2,025 pieces—matching the year of the upcoming FIS Alpine World Ski Championships in Saalbach—carries that legacy forward.

Longines Conquest Chrono Ski Edition: Snow-Ready Hardware 

At 42mm, the Conquest Chrono Ski Edition commands presence without shouting about it. The anthracite dial, finished with a vertical satin brush, catches light with purpose, while three sub-dials hold court at three, six, and nine o’clock—tracking small seconds, 12-hour chrono counts, and 30-minute measurements respectively. Each sub-dial sinks into the surface, textured with snailed finishing that gives the watch face real character.

Red chronograph hands add just enough pop against the dark backdrop, extending to the sub-dial hands for consistent legibility, while Super-LumiNova coated indices and hands ensure readability doesn’t end with daylight. The black ceramic bezel keeps things sophisticated. The case feels purposeful, with crown guards that mean you won’t worry about knocking it against your ski poles. And yes, there’s a skier engraved on the caseback, but it’s done with enough restraint that you won’t feel like you’re wearing a souvenir.

The 100m water resistance might seem like overkill for a ski watch, but anyone who’s spent time in the Alps knows weather changes fast and hard. The multi-layered anti-reflective coating on both sides of the sapphire crystal proves its worth against harsh mountain glare.

The watch arrives with both a steel bracelet featuring a triple-security folding clasp and a black rubber strap with its own double-security folding clasp. Both feature micro-adjustment systems for precise fitting.

Mountain-Grade Movement 

The L898.5 calibre inside isn’t trying to reinvent the wheel—it’s based on ETA architecture but Longines has given it the upgrades where they count. Its silicon balance spring doesn’t just handle temperature swings at altitude—it provides magnetic resistance ten times beyond the ISO 764 benchmark, proving this isn’t just about appearances. With a 59-hour power reserve, you can take a full weekend off the slopes without reaching for your watch winder.

A Timely Tribute 

The Conquest Chrono Ski Edition isn’t trying to reinvent alpine timekeeping—it doesn’t need to. What it does is distill nearly a century of Longines’ skiing heritage into something that feels authentic to both the sport and the brand. While some limited editions lean heavily on branding and superficial connections, this one keeps its ski credentials understated while delivering genuine functionality. As 2,025 of these watches find their way to wrists around the world, they carry with them a piece of alpine sports timing history—whether they ever see a slope or not.