Longines: Conquest, Master Collection, and Elegant Swiss Watchmaking Since 1832

The Longines Story

Longines was founded in 1832 by Auguste Agassiz in Saint-Imier, in the Swiss Jura - a village so thoroughly devoted to watchmaking that the name itself derives from "les longines," meaning "the long meadows" where the original factory was built. The brand holds the distinction of owning the world's oldest active trademark in watchmaking, registered in 1889 - a winged hourglass that has appeared on every Longines dial ever since. Few brands can claim such uninterrupted identity.

Longines built its 19th and early 20th century reputation on precision timekeeping for science and sport. The brand supplied chronographs to polar expeditions, astronomical observatories, and aviation pioneers. In 1927, Longines timed Charles Lindbergh's transatlantic crossing; in 1932, it developed the first electronic timekeeping equipment for the Los Angeles Olympics. This heritage - precise, reliable, technical - runs through every collection today. The brand has been the official timekeeper for the Alpine Ski World Cup and equestrian events, and continues to supply stopwatches to world championships across a range of sports.

The modern Longines catalogue spans dress, sport, and field watches at price points that consistently offer more value than the Swatch Group positioning suggests. The Master Collection moonphase automatic at ~$1,500, the Conquest V.H.P. with ±5 seconds per year quartz accuracy, and the Spirit pilot's collection balance elegance and function in a way that makes Longines one of the watch enthusiast community's most frequently recommended brands in the $500–$2,000 tier.

Iconic Collections

Since 1954

Conquest

Longines' original sports watch - the Conquest launched in 1954 as the first Longines watch water resistant to 30m. Today the line spans the Conquest V.H.P. quartz (±5 seconds per year, antimagnetic) and the automatic Conquest Classic. The V.H.P. uses a thermo-compensated quartz movement with a micro-rotor to reset after detecting hand-setting - a genuinely innovative specification.

Since 2003

Master Collection

Longines' elegant flagship. The Master Collection moonphase - 40mm, automatic, moonphase display, annual calendar, sapphire caseback - at ~$1,500 represents one of the best value-for-money propositions in Swiss watchmaking. The same price elsewhere buys a simple three-hand automatic. Longines packs in complications that elsewhere cost multiples.

Since 1994 (revived 2010)

HydroConquest

Longines' diving watch, ISO 6425 certified to 300m. The HydroConquest automatic features a unidirectional rotating bezel, Super-LumiNova, and a Swiss automatic movement - at ~$900, it routinely makes best-value dive watch lists alongside the Tissot Seastar. The ceramic bezel version at ~$1,100 adds scratch resistance without moving the price into Omega territory.

Since 2021

Spirit

Longines' pilot's collection, drawing directly on the brand's aviation timing heritage. The Spirit 40mm automatic features a clean, legible pilot's dial with broad sword hands and Arabic numerals - referencing 1930s and 1940s aviator references from the archive. Available as automatic or Zulu Time GMT, the Spirit is Longines' best attempt at a heritage tool watch in decades.

Since 2009

DolceVita

Longines' rectangular dress collection - a rare elongated case shape with clean dials and leather straps that references the golden age of dress watchmaking. The DolceVita quartz and automatic versions offer an Italian-influenced aesthetic at prices well below comparable Swiss dress watches. For those seeking a non-round dress watch, there is almost nothing better at this price.

Since 2007

Heritage

Longines' archive reissue programme, reproducing historical references with modern movements and standards. Heritage models have included faithful recreations of the 1935 Lindbergh Hour Angle watch, the 1960s Ultra-Chron, and numerous military watches. The Heritage line demonstrates the depth of Longines' archive and gives collectors access to historically significant designs at accessible prices.

Heritage Timeline

1832

Auguste Agassiz founds Longines in Saint-Imier, Switzerland. The factory is established on "les longines" - the long meadows - and the name sticks. Precision is the founding value.

1889

Longines registers the winged hourglass trademark - the world's oldest active trademark still in use in watchmaking. It appears on every Longines dial produced in the 135 years since.

1927

Charles Lindbergh carries a Longines chronograph across the Atlantic - the first solo nonstop transatlantic flight. Longines' aviation precision credentials are established at the highest possible level.

1932

Longines develops the first electronic timekeeping system for the Los Angeles Olympics - a moment that inaugurates the brand's long partnership with precision sports timing.

1954

The Conquest launches as the first Longines sports watch with water resistance - establishing the collection name that carries on today across quartz, automatic, and diving variants.

2021

The Spirit collection launches, drawing on the brand's aviation archive to create a pilot's watch that anchors Longines' heritage tool watch identity for the modern era.