Longines Conquest: The Collection
Longines’ Conquest collection dates back to 1954, making it one of the brand’s longest-running lines. From the beginning, the Conquest concept has been about an “everyday” sports watch that blends performance with a touch of elegance. Over the years the line evolved, encompassing everything from high-precision quartz models to serious dive-capable automatics, yet it always stayed true to a certain sporty refinement and Longines’ commitment to exceptional quality.
In recent times, “Conquest” has basically become synonymous with modern versatility: a watch you can wear to the office or on weekend adventures.
Last year Longines gave the Conquest a thorough refresh, bringing a more contemporary, sleek design and upgraded movement. The new Conquest comes in a range of sizes (from a petite 30 mm up to the men’s 41 mm we have here) and a wide array of dial colors, including classic black, blue, silver, and more adventurous options like sunburst green or brown.
Here, I’m focusing on the 41 mm automatic in sunray green – reference L3.830.4.02.6 – on the stainless steel bracelet. This variant represents Longines’ effort to deliver a “do-it-all” watch (or “GADA”, as Go Anywhere Do Anything) that’s sporty at heart but carries itself with enough polish and heritage to slip into dressier settings as well. After spending some quality time with it, I’m ready to report that the new Conquest largely delivers on that promise.
Conquest 41 mm L3.830.4.02.6 – Overview
Right out of the box, the Longines Conquest 41 mm made a strong first impression as a balanced blend of rugged sportiness and refined style. It’s a stainless steel sports watch through and through, yet it doesn’t scream “tool watch”. Instead, it has a clean, modern aesthetic that nods to mid-century classics. The design is understated: there are no bold numerals or flashy gimmicks on the dial; Longines opted for a minimalist approach that emphasizes simple geometric markers and sleek surfaces.
In fact, this latest generation does away with the oversized Arabic numerals that featured on prior Conquest models, opting instead for faceted applied indices all around – a change I really like.The result is a dial that’s reminiscent of something like an Omega Aqua Terra, yet it retains its own identity with the Longines winged hourglass logo and a hint of vintage inspiration (the dial architecture was inspired by original Conquests from the 1950s).
On paper, the specs hit a sweet spot for daily wear. The stainless steel case measures 41.0 mm in diameter and only 10.9 mm thick, which is relatively slim for a sport watch and contributes to its comfortable fit. The lug-to-lug length is about 49.1 mm, giving the watch a substantial presence across the wrist without overhanging (for reference, my wrist is ~6.5 inches/16.5 cm, and I find 50 mm lug-to-lug to be my personal upper limit).
It’s robust and legible enough to be a sport watch, yet there’s a certain understated dressiness in the polished bezel and indices that gives it a dash of sophistication. As we dive into the details – the dial, case, bracelet, movement, and on-wrist feel – I’ll share more of these first-hand impressions.
Specs:
- Ref #: L3.830.4.02.6
- Movement: Automatic
- Caliber: L888
- Battery Life: 72 hours
- Case Width: 41 mm
- Lug-to-Lug Distance: 49.1 mm
- Water Resistance: 100 meters
- Price: Around $2,000
Dial
The dial of the Conquest 41 mm is arguably its centerpiece. I’ll be honest, I have a thing for green dials, so I’m a bit biased, but the way this sunray green dial plays beautifully with the light, shifting from deep olive to bright emerald tones is truly beautiful. The base is a sunray-brushed finish that radiates out from the center, giving the green color a dynamic range: in low light it’s a subdued tone, while under bright light it transforms into a rich green color with fine texture. Adding to the visual interest is a subtle chapter ring circling the outer edge of the dial. This ring, which intersects the hour markers, has a concentric grooved pattern (Longines calls it an “external snailing”) that catches the light differently from the center, creating a nice bit of depth, and this is why the dial won’t seem visually flat. It’s a subtle detail that ensures the negative space won’t make the watch feel empty.
All the hour markers are baton-style metal indices (slightly wider at 12 o’clock) that give the dial a clean, no-nonsense layout. The absence of any numerals contributes to that clean look (and is a departure from earlier Conquests that featured Arabic numerals at 12, 6, 9.). The handset is nicely proportioned: a pair of sword/alpha hybrid hands for hours and minutes, and a slender second hand with a lumed tip.
I have to give special mention to the date display. The Conquest’s date window is positioned at 6 o’clock, neatly replacing the hour marker, which keeps the symmetry of the dial intact.
Overall, Longines nailed the balance here – the dial is unfussy and highly legible, but not boring. It’s the kind of design that holds up to extended viewing; you might just find yourself admiring the play of light on the green sunburst and the polished markers during wrist rolls in different lighting.
Case & Bezel
The case of the Conquest is 41 mm wide. It is sleek and contemporary in its design. The stainless steel case uses a mix of polished and brushed surfaces, which definitely adds to the watch’s versatility in appearance: the contrast between the satin-brushed lugs and the polished bezel gives the watch a bit of dressy flair while still keeping an overall tool-like vibe. The bezel itself is a fixed, sloped steel bezel. One thing I wanted to note is that this polished bezel will inevitably collect micro-scratches over time. In daily use, those little marks don’t bother me, but it’s worth knowing if you’re a little OCD about keeping your watch pristine. On the plus side, the sapphire crystal is slightly recessed below the bezel edge and has robust AR coating, so glare and scratches on the crystal won’t be an issue. You win some, you lose some.
At 41 mm diameter, the Conquest’s case wears very comfortably. I attribute this to a few additional factors: the modest 10.9 mm thickness, the curved caseback, and the downturn of the lugs. The watch sits low and stable on the wrist, with no top-heaviness. The lug-to-lug of ~49 mm is at the upper limit for sub-7-inch wrists, but because the lugs slope down and the end-link of the bracelet articulates pretty much right away.
The Conquest features angular crown guards flanking the crown, which is a signature element of this model’s case design. They’re not overly large, in fact I’d call them relatively elegant. They provide good protection for the crown without making it hard to grip. The crown itself is a screw-down type (vital for that 100 m water resistance) and it’s signed with the Longines logo.
The caseback is exhibition style with a sapphire window that enables you to get a view of the Longines caliber L888 inside. The movement doesn’t have lavish decoration, but there is a signed rotor.
Bracelet & Clasp
Longines chose an H-link design for the Conquest 41 bracelet: each link has a broad brushed center segment and narrower polished segments on the sides, forming an “H” shape. Visually, the mix of finishes on the bracelet echoes the case’s brushed/polished combo, so the whole watch has a cohesive look. The bracelet is 21 mm wide at the lugs and tapers gently towards the clasp. That subtle taper gives it a bit more elegance and comfort. The 21 mm lug width is an interesting choice (a bit uncommon, which could make finding aftermarket straps slightly trickier), but it does visually suit the watch proportions.
On my wrist, the bracelet was very comfortable: the links articulating freely, wrapping around the wrist without stiffness. What’s interesting to note is that one half-link is included, which can come in handy to get an ideal fit, since there’s no micro-adjustment on the clasp for fine tuning. You might end up removing two full links and using the half-link to get a fit that’s snug enough not to slide around, but with a little slack for comfort. In a perfect world, I’d love to have a tool-free micro-adjust clasp for those hot days when your wrist expands, but at this price point that feature isn’t common. Worth noting: Longines does offer optional color-matched rubber straps for the new Conquest (green, blue, or black rubber to match the dial, with fitted end links). Those rubber straps come with a folding clasp that even has a built-in micro-adjust system. I didn’t have the rubber strap to test, but it’s nice to know the option is there for adding even more sporty versatility.
The clasp on this bracelet is a triple safety folding clasp with push-piece opening according to Longines. In practice, it’s a folding deployant clasp with twin push-button release and an additional safety latch. Regardless of how we want to call it, it’s very secure – there’s effectively zero chance of this popping open unintentionally, even during active use.
Movement
Inside the Conquest 41 mm is Longines’ caliber L888, an automatic movement that has become a staple in many of Longines’ contemporary models. This movement is based on the ETA 2892-A2 movement but customized for Longines with some noteworthy enhancements. Right off the bat, the L888 runs at an unusual beat rate of 25,200 vibrations per hour (3.5 Hz). This is a step down from the standard 28,800 vph (4 Hz) of the 2892 base, and that slower beat is one of the tweaks that extends the power reserve. The L888 boasts a healthy ~72-hour power reserve.
The other headline feature of the L888 is the silicon balance spring and improved anti-magnetism, giving it resistance to magnetic fields roughly ten times higher than the ISO standard for anti-magnetism.
Overall, the Longines L888 movement impressed me as a well-considered engine for a modern everyday watch. It packs the kind of specs that a watch nerd can geek out about (high anti-magnetic properties, long power reserve, ETA pedigree with tweaks) while ultimately just doing its job reliably in the background. It fits the Conquest’s character perfectly: a modern caliber that adds to the watch’s appeal as a grab-and-go daily companion.
Wearing the Conquest: Day-to-Day Impressions
After wearing the Conquest 41 mm for a while, my opinion is that this watch really adapts to different situations with ease, which is exactly what I hoped for. It has that sleek, all-steel look similar to pieces like the Rolex Datejust or Omega Aqua Terra, at a much more attainable price. In more casual settings, the Conquest leans into its sporty side.
Pros
- Truly versatile design. Great as a sports watch, beautiful as a more elegant timepiece.
- Great quality. Nothing disappoints: the case, the bracelet, the dial, nothing is subpar. The watch looks and feels very high quality.
- Comfortable wear. While not the smallest case, the curves, the thinness of the case makes it a fantastic watch for everyday wear.
Cons
- Lack of on-the-fly adjustment in the clasp. While not expected, Longines does have the brand power to include some nicer features on their watches.
- Water resistance is 100 meters. While I think it’s enough for me for an everyday watch, some might feel a little more comfortable with better water resistance.
- The 41 mm width and the 49.1 mm lug-to-lug distance might be a little too big for smaller wrists. But Longines did create a 38 mm version of this watch, so that could be a great option.
Takeaway and Final Thoughts on the Longines Conquest 41 mm
In daily use, the Conquest felt like a true all-rounder. You can wear it with everything from a casual t-shirt to an office dress shirt, and it never looked out of place. That sunburst green dial adds a pop of personality and color, but it’s not loud. The watch balances well between sport and dress.
The Longines Conquest L3.830.4.02.6 is a well-executed modern iteration of the classic “go anywhere, do anything” watch. Longines took the spirit of the original 1950s Conquest – a watch for those who “dare to go further” – and updated it with 21st-century tech and styling, ending up with a piece that feels very balanced in character. This 41 mm green-dial version in particular has a lot of character without being ostentatious. The green sunray dial gives it a unique identity among a sea of blue and black watches, yet the overall design remains restrained and classy. It’s a watch with a dual personality: casual and sporty enough for everyday wear, but just refined enough to wear with a suit if needed. Longines calls the Conquest “the ultimate everyday watch”, and honestly, it’s hard to argue with that in this price segment.
Speaking of price, at around $2,000 USD (retail is about $2,200 on bracelet), the Conquest offers strong value.
The Conquest 41 mm is a confident all-rounder that brings together Longines’ sporty DNA and modern watchmaking upgrades in a compelling package. It has the kind of subtle character that grows on you with each wear – not a loud attention-grabber, but a watch that exudes a quiet confidence on the wrist. If you’re after a single watch that can seamlessly transition from work to play, from poolside to dinner table, all while delivering genuine mechanical pedigree and classic good looks, the Longines Conquest should be high on your list. It certainly earned a place on mine.
Specs:
- Ref #: L3.830.4.02.6
- Movement: Automatic
- Caliber: L888
- Battery Life: 72 hours
- Case Width: 41 mm
- Lug-to-Lug Distance: 49.1 mm
- Water Resistance: 100 meters
- Price: Around $2,000
Written by
Maté D
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