DIVE EXQUISITELY

The watchmaker from Saint-Imier proposes new variations of its timepiece crafted for watersports and available in two diameters. Perfect on land, perfect at sea.

As summer slowly raises its head, there’s a burning desire to take to watersports, to dive into the deep blue or to simply lie back and relax on a yacht. To satisfy waterworld enthusiasts and in particular sportspeople, Longines has designed new variations of its HydroConquest model which embrace the technical and style codes of dive watches.

The sturdy steel case is proposed in two sizes: 41 and 43 cm diameters, and is topped with a unidirectional revolving bezel. This bezel hosts a coloured ceramic band which comes in grey, blue or black based on the version selected and which features the diving scale with its traditional triangular luminescent marker at 12 o’clock. Like the caseback, the crown is screwed and framed by two fail-safe elements to prevent incorrect action under water which could, for example, jeopardize watch waterproofness. The watch can be submersed to a depth of 300 m.

The sunrayed dial is available in the three colours mentioned above. It features a rhodium-plated hour chapter comprising three large Arabic numerals (6, 9 and 12) and dots, all covered with white Super-LumiNova®. The hours, minutes and seconds are displayed in the centre by a trio of silvered, luminescent baton-style hands, whilst the white-backdrop date is set in an aperture at 3 o’clock.

The HydroConquest watch is driven by an automatic L888.2 calibre, fashioned on an ETA base, set at 25,200 vibrations per hour and offering a power reserve of 64 hours.

To ensure the watch can be worn anytime, anywhere, Longines proposes two types of strap: a steel bracelet with double-security folding clasp and the possibility to integrate a diving extension or a weaving-effect, textured-colour rubber strap.

Price: CHF1,500 (41 or 43 mm)

By Sharmila Bertin