Longines Hydroconquest?

[marcosgt]

Anyone got a Longines Hydroconquest?



I was interested in the Omega Seamaster 300M, but I have a couple of Omegas already and the Hydroconquest Automatic looks a lot of watch for not much money. I'm not looking for a watch to actually dive in (I have a Citizen for that).

Is the Longines a good watch?

Anything to consider.

It's the non-Chronograph one I'm interested in, btw.

M.

[marcosgt]

shambolic said:

Just seen this after buying a 300M today
Lovely watch.
The Omega shop in Glasgow was great though, as was the champagne and chocolate while buying it.

Don't worry, I can't see you being disappointed in your Omega

I've got a Speedmaster Pro and a '60s Seamaster 30 and both are lovely watches.

I'm drawn more and more to the Hydroconquest, not least because it's NOT an Omega and it'll be a different brand in my modest collection.

I looked in a couple of local ADs Saturday, but neither had any HCs...

M.

[marcosgt]

Is there REALLY a different 3 hand model?

It's hard to believe a) you can tell the difference between 2mm diameter and b) they'd bother making two watches, otherwise identical, 2mm different in size.

Looking at this page, Longines claim the blue 3 handers are 39mm and the black one is 41mm, but all the chronos are 41mm. Maybe they put the black faced ones into the chrono case?

Funnily enough I ordered a blue automatic from Iconicwatches today, but I can't tell you if it's 41 or 39mm and, honestly, I don't care.

If anyone worries about 2mm, their wife must be a very disappointed woman

M.

Edited by marcosgt on Friday 10th May 17:29

[marcosgt]

I decided I was going to get the quartz, I even ordered one, but then I bought another quartz watch and decided to change my order and get an auto instead

M

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HarrySmash said:

ArtVandelay said:

I've fancied this for ages



But for some reason it's only available with a quartz movement which puts me off (for £760)

Agree, £760 is alot for a quartz watch when for the same money you can get this:

The same watch, in silver?

Always annoys me that you get these 'artists impressions' of Hydroconquests when you search (or even on Longines site), they really don't do the watch justice.



Not my photo, sorry if I used yours, but it's a great shot

M.

[marcosgt]

I can't compete with that shot, but here's a rubbish phone shot of my new arrival



M

[marcosgt]

A better shot, now I've adjusted the bracelet and taken off the shipping stickers



I'm very pleased with it and the service I got from Iconicwatches.

M.

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drab said:

Stunning in blue! Always thought I'd get a black one but not so sure now...

Wonder if there will be any deals to be had as the new model starts hitting the dealers?

I can't understand why anyone would buy the black over the blue, personally (I know everyone has their own taste obviously ).

The black's nice, but it looks like lots of other watches, whilst the blue's much more distinctive.

I've got lots of black faced watches, but the HC is best in blue!

M.

[marcosgt]

speedtwelve said:

Good choice! I agree that the lume is next to useless though.

You should try a Tissot PRC200 then.... At least the HC's glows to start with, even if it's somewhat short lived.

M

[marcosgt]

speedtwelve said:

Good choice! I agree that the lume is next to useless though.

Here's the 2013 model. looks a bit Glycine Combat auto-esque like everything else...

Fixed that

I must admit, seeing the new one was what spurred me into purchasing the previous model.

M.

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Globs said:

My Seiko remains the best lume I have ever seen, it's always glowing away, looks very pretty.
My Orient Mako isn't bad lume either, similar to my Omega in brightness - but King Of Lume award is firmly Seiko.

My Citizen diver wins for me.

M

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Globs said:

Or search for the proper Swiss Bergeon Spring Bar Tool on ebay etc, I got one of these and it makes the job very easy. Especially when operating on watches over £1k...

I've got one of these, but I'm not convinced it actually does anything different to the eBay £1.99 ones

M.

[marcosgt]

Just returned from my summer holiday and took my HC along as my only watch.

Did a couple of c. 20m dives with it as well as visiting the beach, pool and desert.





Did everything with aplomb as you'd expect, the extension on the bracelet worked perfectly to let me wear it over a wetsuit too!

A few small scratches on the clasp now, but I don't buy watches to flip, so I'm happy for my diver's watch to bear a few 'real-diving' marks

M.

Edited by marcosgt on Sunday 21st July 18:16

[marcosgt]

woots787 said:

I saw somebody made an MX5 to Hydroconquest comparison on another thread so thought I'd give my six month review of my 39mm black auto.

Reliable workhorse engine: The ETA keeps ticking away with excellent accuracy (averages +5 per day). Not the most musical note but the sweep looks great once bedded in (looked oddly stop start for the first month but might have been me).

Rusty Arches: The otherwise excellent finish is marred by a Bezel that seems more Demio than Cosmo. I also think the logo on the dial should be polished like the hour markers to reflect the light in the same way. The caseback is stunning for the money.

Simple ergonomics: I originally didn't like the polished hour markers finding them fussy, however in low light they make it much easier to read the time.


Cheap mods: I'm definitely teased to give the links a brushed finish, the polished sections have marked easily.

Lack of power: The lume is excellent and easy to read if you hold the watch under a bright light for 30 seconds and then step immediately into the dark. At all other times it is rubbish.

80% of a TVR for a tenth of the price: I'd love a Fifty Fathoms but being realistic this suits my salary a lot better and means I don't have to worry about wearing it everywhere.

Simple roof mechanism: The clasp looks cheap compared to say a SMP and was difficult to open when new, it has freed up a bit now and is a case of function over form.

Useful size for b-roads: Not everyone can have tree trunks for arms so the 39mm option is much appreciated.

Overall I'm made up with it and think I'll have it forever. The imperfections are definitely excusable considering the price. I've also got a G-shock for fixing cars/cycling duties and maybe the Hydroconquest leaves room for something smarter...

Daft name mind.

Good review except I've not a clue what you mean about the Bezel... ???

I've got the same watch in blue and it's the watch I wear the most. I wear mine on a blue Hirsch strap - I can't dive in it in this configuration, but it's very comfortable and, as a T-Shirt I saw once said, I only dive 1% of the time even if I'm a diver 100% of the time

M.

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DSLiverpool said:

I bought the Quartz one because it's my back up watch and setting it up all the time would be a pain. My main watch is automatic

There's no real difference unless you value a mechanical watch in itself (although I think the quartz is only available in the, fractionally, smaller size - 39mm - at least it was on the older model).

I'd planned to get a quartz one, but just before I ordered I bought a Citizen Skyhawk AT, so got the automatic instead. I do like the smooth sweep of the second hand, but whether it's worth the extra, only you can decide.

M

[marcosgt]

You need a pin press for a bracelet with pins, like the HC.

Something like this :

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Watch-Band-Link-Strap-Ad...

Does the job fine, in my experience.

M.

[marcosgt]

13aines said:

marcosgt said:

You need a pin press for a bracelet with pins, like the HC.

Something like this :

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Watch-Band-Link-Strap-Ad...

Does the job fine, in my experience.

M.

I found that a fiddly piece of crap - well the one that came in my cheap watch tool set - I used the grey strap crate thing, pin push and little hammer... have done 3 watches like that now, by far my favourite method, seem to have more feel, if that makes sense.

If only there was something between those £5 watch tool sets and the mega expensive jewelers tool kits!

Dom still has that black faced chrono for £750 - god I wish I had some disposable cash!

I wouldn't describe it as a piece of fine engineering, but I found mine works just fine.

I find the winding of the knob more precise than hitting a pin with a hammer, but I'm sure that works just as well

M

[marcosgt]

mgmidget09 said:

Having owned both I can definitely say a Steinhart (the Ocean models) is not in the same league as a Longines. It's a nice enough copy watch and better than most but it is only a quality watch in the minds of people who can't afford a reputable make but for instance want to make people who should have gone to specsavers think they are wearing a Rolex...

Not ALL Steinharts are Rolex lookalikes...



I'll concede it won't be to everyone's taste, but at least it's unique

M

PS I had one of their black 'Subalikes', it was a nice enough watch, but it's overt Rolex-ness did bug me and I didn't keep it long. I wouldn't say it was as nice as my Longines HC though.