Longines Rolls Out U.S.A.-Exclusive HydroConquest Collection

The 2018 Couture luxury-watch-and-jewelry show kicked off in Las Vegas today, and WatchTime is on the scene to cover highlights from the array of timepieces being shown there, some being seen in the U.S.A. for the very first time after their launches at Baselworld or SIHH, others all-new releases rolled out since the two Swiss watch fairs. One of the former is the new Longines USA Exclusive HydroConquest, which we glimpsed unofficially in Basel but can now offer a full reveal on as the models make their official debut.

The collection, an extension of Longines’ popular HydroConquest series of sporty dive watches, consists of three editions, all sold exclusively in the United States and limited to 1,000 pieces, which feature subtle American-inspired detailing. The color options range from traditional stainless steel to stainless steel with a black or gray PVD coating. The dials come in sunray-finished black, gray, or bright blue, with red indexes, a small “USA” script in the bottom right corner, and a luminous 50 in the upper left corner of the bezel in honor of the 50 states of America.

For divers, the important information is that the watch boasts a 300-meter water resistance, a ceramic unidirectional bezel, anti-reflective coating on the crystal and the choice between a NATO strap or a stainless steel bracelet with the integrated divers’ extension. The Super-LumiNova-coated hands and hour markers contrast starkly with the dials; the date appears in a window at 3 o’clock.

Inside the 41-mm case beats Caliber L888, which uses an ETA A31.L01 as its base, that features automatic winding, a 25,200-vph frequency, and a power reserve of 64 hours. (It is, in fact, the same movement that powers Longines’ other new headliner dive watch from 2018, the Legend Diver in black PVD.) Prices on the USA Exclusive Hydroconquest models range from $1,800 to $2,100.