LONGINES HYDROCONQUEST REF: L3.642.4.56.6

Since my friend have gotten his Rolex Explorer II, his previous daily wear watch, the Longines Hydroconquest immediately went into cold storage.

Not being a WIS like me, they do not grasp the concept of rotating watches to wear.

So, he decided to loan me the watch for a week just to keep it company, so I took the chance to photograph the watch and also write a simple review.

The watch, Longines Hydroconquest Ref: L3.642.4.56.6

This Longines offering is one of the many in the crowded entry level dive watch market.

A very fiercely contested battleground with brands like Oris, Ball, Hamilton, Tag Heuer and such.

I really like the dial.

Monochrome save for the little red tip of the seconds hand.

Maximizing legibility while keeping a the design original is the order of the day.

Huge 6, 9 and 12 numerals adorned the dial while luminova dots with steel surrounds for the rest.

The hands are fat and sports a unique shape for the hour hand.

The dial is actually sunburst black.

Bezel is 120 clicks uni directional.

Rotating it feels firm and precise.

Bezel insert is aluminium.

Case size is 41mm.

Close up of the hands.

Well polished and sharp angles.

Numerals are filled with luminova as well.

Loving the little red tip on the seconds hand.

Bracelet is 22mm with no taper.

Clasp is single fold with double flip lock.

It also has a diver's extension.

Water resistance rating is etched on the clasp of all places.

Nothing fancy but it will serve it's purpose well.

Middle part of the bracelet is polished.

Signed screw down crown.

The crownguards are pretty prominent.

Very sharp angles.

As with most dive watches, screwed solid back is preferred for the sake of keeping the water resistance rating high.

With that said, this Longines caseback is one of the nicest I have seen in this price point... and higher.

The iconic Hour Glass on wings is ever present.

Engraving is deep and crisp.

The EFCo actually refers to the founder... Ernest Francillon Co.

Hidden behind the caseback is an elabore grade ETA 2824.

Longines being under the Swatch Group umbrella, it makes perfect sense to use a tried and tested ETA movement.

Again, nothing fancy but it gets the job done with minimal fuss.

After wearing the watch sparingly for a week, I must say the watch is really comfortable.

A Swiss Made diver sporting a respectable brand name at their asking price is really enticing.

Big thanks to my friend Albert for loaning me the watch.

I do feel sorry for it if he were to keep this watch in cold storage without rotating it with his Rolex Explorer II.