Introducing Longines Unveils the New Generation of the HydroConquest Collection

Longines has comprehensively updated the HydroConquest collection for 2026, introducing revised 39mm and 42mm stainless steel models. Originally launched in 2007 as the diving-focused extension of the 1954 Conquest line, the HydroConquest now benefits from a series of meaningful upgrades aimed at enhancing durability, ergonomics, and daily wearability rather than radically altering its familiar design.

Among the most notable updates is the adoption of high-tech ceramic bezel inserts across all colorways, replacing the aluminum inserts used on earlier generations. This change improves long-term resistance to UV fading and surface scratches, while also giving the watch a more premium feel. Longines has also focused on refining the tactile experience, particularly through improvements to the bezel action and clasp micro-adjustment system, reinforcing the HydroConquest’s position in the competitive mid-tier Swiss dive watch segment.

The new collection is offered in both 39mm and 42mm case sizes, reflecting today’s broader range of wrist-size preferences without neglecting those who still favor larger dive watches. The 39mm model measures 48.10mm lug-to-lug with a 20mm lug width, offering a more compact and balanced fit. The 42mm version extends to 51.20mm lug-to-lug and features a 21mm lug width, making it better suited to larger wrists or those seeking greater dial presence. Despite the difference in proportions, both versions maintain a relatively slim 11.70mm thickness, impressive for a watch rated to 300 meters of water resistance.

The stainless steel case retains a classic combination of brushed and polished finishing. Linear brushing on the lug tops helps mask daily wear, while polished case flanks add contrast and emphasize the curvature of the profile. The integrated crown guards slope sharply toward the screw-down crown, offering added protection against lateral impacts. Deep knurling on the crown ensures a secure grip even with gloves, while the unidirectional bezel adopts a deeply scalloped profile inspired by the brand’s Ultra-Chron diver for improved handling in wet conditions.

Its polished ceramic insert is available in black, blue, slate grey, luminous blue, or green, and features an engraved count-up scale filled with white lacquer for clear contrast. At 12 o’clock, a fully lumed capsule set within an applied steel triangle provides instant orientation in low-light or underwater environments.

On the dial side, the standard models are offered in polished lacquered black, blue, or green, creating a rich, glossy finish with strong visual depth. Longines also introduces a frosted blue sunray variant, distinguished by a more textured radial finish that gives the dial a livelier and more dynamic appearance under changing light.

The layout remains clean and functional, with 11 applied rhodium-plated hour markers paired with generous Super-LumiNova for strong legibility in darkness. Circular markers are used for most hours, while larger batons at six and nine o’clock and a triangle at twelve reinforce the watch’s dive-watch identity. A date aperture at three o’clock replaces the corresponding marker, offering everyday practicality even if it slightly interrupts the symmetry of the dial.

The handset has also been carefully designed for maximum clarity. The hour hand features a modified diamond-shaped form with a faceted rhodium-plated structure, making it instantly distinguishable from the simpler baton-style minute hand, an important trait for underwater readability. The central seconds hand carries a luminous lollipop near its tip, serving as a visible running indicator in the dark. Dial text remains restrained, with the applied winged hourglass logo beneath twelve o’clock and the watch’s key specifications printed above six.

Inside, the new HydroConquest is powered by the Longines L888, an automatic movement based on the ETA A31.L11 and already familiar from previous generations. It operates at 25,200 vibrations per hour, features a monocrystalline silicon balance spring, and delivers a healthy 72-hour power reserve. The rotor is decorated with the brand’s name and logo, along with a Côtes de Genève and perlage finishing.

The watch is offered with two bracelet options. The standard stainless steel bracelet uses a three-link construction with broad H-shaped main links and slimmer connecting links. Brushed upper surfaces help conceal wear, while polished side edges visually tie it to the case finishing. Longines also offers a more distinctive Milanese mesh bracelet, crafted from tightly woven heavy-gauge stainless steel and fully brushed throughout. Unlike the lighter mesh styles often associated with vintage-inspired pieces, this one feels more substantial and structured, with solid steel tube ends for a secure fit.

Both bracelets are equipped with a double-folding safety clasp with twin pushers, and both benefit from an integrated micro-adjustment system that allows the wearer to fine-tune the fit across four positions without tools.

The new Longines HydroConquest will join the brand’s permanent collection, with prices starting at CHF 1,850 (approximately AED 8,530) on the three-link bracelet and CHF 1,950 (approximately AED 8,995) on the Milanese mesh bracelet.

For more information, visit Longines official website.