Around the edge is engraved “Longines Automatic Waterproof”. It’s deeply engraved with a fish motif and has a spectacular deep green enamel covering. The back is topped off with a beautiful gold medallion in the center. With the help of a fellow collector, I was able to procure and example of said wrench, which is a nice additional touch (see pictures). Of course, any quality caseback wrench can be used, but Longines did make a specific tool for each size of back, like most manufacturers did. It has a thick, screw-in back with a twelve sided polygon design for the caseback tool. The caseback however, is quite different and something that set the Conquest apart from other contemporaries. Speaking of lugs, this model has beautiful beefy lugs with a nice subtle chamfer on the outer edge, again similar to the Seamasters. Similar to many of the Omega Seamasters of the era, it measures 35.2mm wide by 42.6mm long with 18mm lugs. The case is a study in simple yet rugged understatement. This Conquest was actually preceded by the All Guard, a watch that shared a similar case, movement, dial and hands. It ran from 1954 to about 1959, when a new case shape and movement were introduced. The first generation Conquest reviewed here is probably the most classic and easily recognizable iteration of the line for collectors of vintage watches. After the Conquest came the Flagship, then the Admiral and Grand Prize among others.
Having a named family of watches certainly wasn’t introduced by Longines, but they definitely utilized the strategy to its fullest potential, and still use it today (as do most modern brands). Many more were to follow, but the venerable Conquest (such a killer name too…) was the beginning. The Conquest was the first step in a new development and marketing strategy with a named line or family of watches. In 1954 Longines launched the Conquest line, and with it a new era for the company.