Presented at the Baselworld 2013 trade show together with the refreshed Conquest Classic three-hander, the new Longines Conquest Classic Chronograph sports the same styling, but somehow manages to look even more elegant than its dressy sibling.
As the aforementioned three-hander, the chronograph will be available not only in a more or less affordable stainless steel (ref. L2.786.4.56.6) and pricier 18-karat rose gold (ref. L2.786.8.76.3,) but will also feature a so-called “two-tone” model (ref. L2.786.5.56.3) that offers you a nice mix of rose gold and stainless steel combining the best of two worlds by being not very expensive and relatively easy to keep in good shape, but still looking luxurious and even refined despite its overall sporty feel.
There will be two variations of the dial -one in matte black and one in silver- both of them featuring sexy vertical stripes (although influenced by Omega, the design is a breath of fresh air after the sounds of variations of different types of burst and guilloche motifs that tend to dominate the niche).
There is, to my regret, nothing new in the, um, engine compartment.
The Conquest Classic Chronograph is still animated by the same Caliber L688.2 column-wheel chronograph, which is based on the ETA Valgranges A08.L01 ebauche and is modified by ETA to Longines specs.
We have seen this mechanism last year when Longines introduced its vintage-styled Tachymeter Automatic Chronograph (Ref. L2.781.4.13) and many other watches from the same brand.
Although the caliber offers nothing revolutionary in terms of design or decoration, this is a nice work-horse movement, which is both reliable and accurate for the price. Compared to older competitors, the mechanism also features a more impressive power reserve of 54 hours, which is still not enough to keep it running over the course of a weekend, but greatly contributes to the timekeeper’s isochronism.
Fortunately, this is not a limited edition model, so each of us has a chance to get a version that better suits our needs without breaking the bank. As usual, the version in stainless steel will be the most affordable one priced at just $3175 MSRP for the model with a steel bracelet. A two-tone version on a leather strap will be more expensive at $4450. The price of a full-gold model has not been revealed.
See also: Longines Heritage 1940 Small Seconds
Photos: Longines
Longines Conquest Classic Chronograph (refs. L2.786.4.56.6 & L2.786.5.56.3) specification
Price: $3175 (MSRP, ref. L2.786.4.56.6 in stainless steel) / $4450 (MSRP, ref. L2.786.5.56.3, two-tone)
Movement: Automatic, Longines caliber L688.2 (base ETA Valgranges A08.L01), Swiss Made
Number of jewels: 27
Movement frequency: 28,800 vph
Power reserve: 54 hours
Functions: Hours, minutes, small seconds, date, chronograph
Case: Stainless steel / Stainless steel & rose gold / Rose gold
Bezel: Stainless steel / Rose gold
Shape: Round
Size: 41.00 mm
Dial: Black / Silver
Numerals: Arabic, applied, rose gold
Hour markers: Luminous (SuperLuminova)
Hands: Rhodium-plated Steel or Rose gold, luminous (SuperLuminova)
Water resistance: 50 meters
Strap: Steel / Steel and Rose gold bracelet or a black leather strap with triple safety folding clasp in matching metal
Crystal: Sapphire, antireflective
Back: Sapphire