Vintage Longines Automatic Conquest Watch

Overview of Vintage Longines Conquest (1950s–1960s)

1. Historical Significance

• First named collection: The Conquest was introduced in 1954—Longines’s inaugural named collection, marking a milestone in the brand’s evolution.

• Mid-century elegance: It exemplifies the era’s refined dress watch aesthetics, with polished cases, precise detailing, and durable automatic movements.

2. Movement & Construction

• Calibre 19AS (sub-seconds and sweep-seconds): A noteworthy self-winding movement, boasting 19 jewels, an 18,000 bph frequency, beautiful perlage finishing, and some versions included a Breguet hairspring.

• Calibre 19AS in practice: This mechanism is robust and reliable, making it a favourite among knowledgeable collectors.

3. Dimensions & Design

• Classic 35 mm case: Typical of the period, offering tasteful proportions suitable for both dress and everyday wear.

• Notable example (Ref. 9000‑1): Stainless steel, unpolished case ~35 mm diameter, 12 mm thickness, 42.5 mm lug‑to‑lug; features a signed coin‑edged crown and beautifully patinated dial with applied double-faceted indexes.

• Conquest Calendar variant (Ref. 9004‑6): Includes a date function; dimensions ~35 mm diameter and 13.25 mm thickness; powered by calibre 19ASD (self‑winding); equipped with radium lume and gold-tone accents.

4. Condition & Collectability

• Exquisite examples: Watches in near-original condition are highly sought after, sometimes compared to peer models from Rolex or Omega of the same era.

• Value range: Early steel or gold-plated models typically fetch between $500–$1,000 in good condition; solid gold versions command higher prices.