Pre-owned Longines Hydro Conquest - £795

[Scott8189]

Hi - looking to get some advice on a second-hand watch I’ve just purchased from Est1897.

It’s a Grey Longines Hydro Conquest L3.781.4 41mm Stainless Steel Watch for £795. I’ve had my eye on this watch for a while but I’m not in a place mentally where I can spend £1600 for a new watch yet - I know this is still cheap compared to a lot of watches.

It has a box but no papers.

I’m starting to “get into watches” which led me to purchase this. I’m not looking to collect, I want this to be a watch I can wear fairly frequently as a practical piece. I’m not too bothered about history, etc., of the watch as long as it’s genuine.

Could I please get some opinions on if this may be a fair deal? This is my first watch above £200 so would appreciate no sarcastic comments please :-)

I can always return once the watch arrives if I change my mind.

Cheers!

[Got4wheels]

I think you've likely have a pretty good deal OP. I had my heart set on a Seamaster, but I bought myself the green version of yours brand new last year for a few hundred less than the price they're quoting now, no regrets. It's my only watch too, and I can't recommend them highly enough. Versatile with just about anything you wear, the face is crystal clear and it feels like a quality watch. The automatic movement also sounds far better than the one in my previous watch.

Compared to Rolex and Omega, I think Longines and the Hydroconquests in particular go under the radar. Proof will be in the pudding when you receive it, if it looks good enjoy it! Do post pics

Michael

[redrabbit]

Firstly OP, congratulations on your purchase, you simply can't go wrong with a Longines Conquest, it's a very discerning choice and punches well above its weight compared with the 'flex' brands - a properly good watch.

Secondly, at this price point, whilst still far from cheap by normal standards (don't be fooled by the overpriced over-hyped stuff in the £3-5k bracket with heavy endorsement and advertising costs to recoup), I wouldn't worry about papers too much. The fact remains that these are not really investment pieces, just great quality, great value watches to enjoy day to day, right in the sweet spot for real enthusiasts.

[RD-1]

Good choice, congrats.

A grey like Jomashop would’ve had this new for somewhere between the price you paid and RRP, but it seems fair. Import charges to consider as well.

Beware, watch collecting is a slippery slope from here

Enjoy.

[r159]

Having just bought a Hydroconquest myself, that is a good price hopefully it’s in decent nick.

As you say they are £1650 new.

I assume there’s a decent warranty.

[Barchettaman]

That’s a very keen price for the newer model with the ceramic bezel. Well done.
The Quartz 39mm go from approx. £400
Older automatic with aluminium bezel about £500

The ceramic bezel is the one to go for, IMVHO. The older Alu bezel gets dinged easily. Of course if that’s what you prefer then more power to you, this is just my opinion and I owned the Alu bezel one that got scruffy quickly.

[944 Man]

The original Hydroconquest automatic used to sell for £350 new! I Have a Mk1 chrono and a Mk2 red automatic and I would not have thought that the Mk2 would achieve £500. The chrono may sell for a little more but they don't make much sense and that affects their desirability.