By advantage of being absent from any watch truthful, some watches do find yourself being unsung heroes, corresponding to this Longines Hydroconquest GMT. It debuted final yr in a 41mm case, a lot as you see it right here in 43mm; Longines is perhaps one of many solely manufacturers sizing up aggressively in 2024, making this uncommon dive and GMT watch combo important. On that notice, Longines does have a comparatively new GMT mannequin in its Spirit assortment and this Hydroconquest makes use of the same motion however it does bear a barely completely different identify; each the 41mm and 43mm model use the identical automated calibre L844.5 whereas the Spirit Zulu Time makes use of calibre L844.4. Additional technical particulars on these calibres aren’t out there right now. We noticed each the Spirit Zulu and the Hydroconquest 41mm on the debut of the fashions final yr.
Anyway, the upsized Hydroconquest GMT is far the identical because the 2023 model, bar the dimensions. Which means that the water-resistance stays 300m, which does make us assume that the brand new measurement is only a response to market requests. We’ve got not had each fashions in hand to check however all of the listed particulars, together with the alternating satinated and polished surfaces, are the identical. In actual fact, evaluating the specs and descriptions, plainly the 43mm model doesn’t have gilt or silvered palms and hour markers, however the SuperLuminova is similar.
Now we don’t usually convey up worth so early within the dialogue however each fashions are listed collectively on the Longines website and right here too there are similarities. In actual fact, the 41mm and 43mm fashions are mainly the identical worth, though the 43mm model doesn’t have a Nato strap possibility to check (we’re wanting on the bracelet, which would be the most expensive possibility, and these too are the identical). Verify your authorised vendor or the boutique for extra particulars on this.
Digging into the small print right here, there’s additionally no brown dial model for the 43mm watch; dial choices are black, blue or inexperienced. The crown guards too seem to keep up the identical form between the 2 sizes; this characteristic differs from the usual Hydroconquest mannequin, as confirmed by Robin Nooy at Monochrome. Now, since we didn’t get into calibre L844.5 when it got here out, we are going to shut this out with some specs. The steadiness spring is in silicon, with different parts (unspecified however usually all a part of the escapement) in non-magnetic supplies. Once more, these aren’t spelled out.
Motion: Computerized calibre L844.5 with second time zone; 72-hour energy reserve (roughly)
Case: 43mm in metal; waterproof to 300m
Strap: Bracelet and rubber
Worth: SGD 4,350 (with bracelet)
This text first appeared on WOW’s Summer season 2024 problem.
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