Longines patented the Conquest in 1954 to embody the timelessness of watches. The Classic collection wins over hearts and wrists alike as it strikes the perfect balance between elegance, tradition and performance in the form of this new 42mm model. Three versions are available (steel, rose gold or steel and rose gold) and it has a multitude of functions on the dial (black or silver subject to model) without making it hard to tell the time. Four hands track the hours, minutes, date and chronograph seconds in the centre of the dial. A subdial at 9 o’ clock brings the small seconds counter and 24 hour counter together whilst the hour counter lies at 6 o’ clock. The minute counter at 12 o’ clock features two displays presenting the day and month. The self-winding L678 chronograph movement brings all the functions to life from inside the case. Price: 3,210 CHF (steel) – 4,800 CHF (steel and rose gold) – 10,900 CHF (rose gold)

Autumn’s burnished leaves are falling as winter’s chill draws near with its promise of pure snow and white mountains soon to be peppered with thousands of skiers. Longines has been the official timekeeper for the sport since 1933 and has designed a piece for born competitors and alpine ski enthusiasts to time to a 1/100^th. Brought to life by a quartz movement in the 41mm steel case, the new Conquest has a black dial bearing the time functions (hours and minutes in the centre, small seconds at 6 o’ clock), chronograph features (minute counter at 2, hour counter at 10) and date display (at 4 o’ clock). The hours are interspersed by a minute track with the numbers 12 and 11 in applied indices beneath two large luminescent hands. Two slim hands in the centre point out the chronograph seconds and 1/100^th (in red). Price: 1,300 CHF

Military and civil aviation spread its technical wings during the Second World War and in the 50s. Reliable, accurate and sturdy watches were specially designed to be worn by pilots and were often seriously put to the test. Longines has a new aviator chronograph in its Heritage collection with the details you’d expect of a pilot’s timepiece: large diameter (47.5mm), large notched crown and easy-to-read dial. The 24 hour track and graduated minute track run around the silver dial beneath blue hands. The small seconds lies at 9 o’ clock and the date display at 6 o’ clock. Use the pusher in the crown to start the central seconds to see the chronograph seconds. These functions are brought to life by a self-winding mechanical movement inside the steel case which also provides a power reserve of up to 54 hours. Price: 4’000 CHF

“Broad arrow” was created in 1544 and traditionally used in heraldry. The symbol was engraved on munitions, military trunks and more to show that they belonged to the English government. The watch brand Longines has brought the heraldic symbol back to feature on the dial of the new version of the 1949 model designed for the British army: Avigation. The black lacquer round face features 11 white Arabic hour numerals with Super LumiNova® coated rhodium-plated hands; it also features the date at 3 o’ clock and a second time zone in the centre in red. Its time and date functions are brought to life by the self-winding mechanical movement in the heart of the 44mm steel case. The L704.2 calibre provides a 48-hour power reserve and is protected from magnetic fields by electrical steel. Price: 2,100 CHF

It’s not glaringly obvious but this watch is nearly 80 years old (79 to be precise)! The Longines Heritage is actually a new take on a model dating back to 1935. Originally designed for the Czechoslovakian air force, its reputation for reliability and resistance ended up winning the general public over. The cushion-shaped 42mm steel case, its bevelled and angular structure and fluted bezel give the watch a bold look and big personality. The large white luminescent Arab numerals dotted around the matt black dial make it easy to tell the time even in the dark. The minutes are displayed on a white track surrounding the edge of the dial. Two rhodium skeleton hands coated in Super LumiNova point to the hours and minutes whilst the seconds are nestled in a counter at 6 o’ clock. There’s also a white-on-black date display at 6 o’ clock. All the functions are brought to life by the L615 self-winding mechanical movement designed by Longines. The Heritage 1935’s power reserve lasts up to 42 hours. Price: 1,900 CHF

Based on the model designed in the 70s by Longines, the 2014 version of the Heritage Diver comes in two automatic versions: one with three hands and the other with a chronograph. Both come in a 43mm cushion-shaped case with a brushed steel top and polished sides. The crown, bezel and case back have been screwed down for improved water resistance. Both models have a black face punctuated by indices and hands coated in luminescent material and two silver-tone counters (30 minutes at 9 o’ clock and 60 minutes at 3 o’ clock) on the chronograph model. The date display is at 6 or 3 o’ clock depending on the model. The central seconds is in red on the chronograph whilst red features on the minute hand on the other model. Both pieces have an interior chapter ring numbered 0-60 and a minute track marked out by splashes of red. The crown at 2 o’ clock on the case enables it to turn both ways. Price: 3’200 CHF (chronograph) – 2’100 CHF (three hands)

The Heritage collection by Longines presents a series of timepieces straight from its archives. The range epitomises its watchmaking heritage by bringing retro-chic style together with a modern mechanism. The single push-piece chronograph with column wheel encapsulates the range’s ideology and embodies the design and technical values of a piece dating back to 1913. The 40mm rose gold or steel case houses the self-winding L788 calibre designed by Longines in 2012 to bring the various functions (time, chronograph and date) to life and provide a 54-hour power reserve. On the white dial, the hours appear as 8 large black Arabic numerals (12 is in red) and the minutes lie in a slim scale with two blue hands. The date display appears in a window at 6 o’ clock whilst the small seconds and 30-minute counter stand at 9 and 3 o’ clock respectively. Price: 9,550 CHF (rose gold) – 3,950 CHF (steel)

When I first saw this piece at Baselworld, its vintage dial both surprised and appealed to me. It’s not like when designers take inspiration from an antique watch and put a modern twist on it; it’s a real vintage timepiece. The Conquest Heritage 1954-2014 celebrates the 60^th anniversary of the Longines Conquest trademark. It comes in three numbered limited editions: steel (600 watches), rose gold and yellow gold (60 of each). It exudes originality from its domed sunburst silver or gilded dial punctuated by applied indices and two dauphine hands coated in Super Luminova. The 35mm case houses a self-winding mechanical movement which brings the hour, minute and second hands to life and provides a 38 hour power reserve. In a nod to the past, the crystal protecting the dial is made of hesalite. Prices: 1’500 CHF (steel) – 4’800 CHF (gold)