This year marks the 70th anniversary of one of Longines most enduring collections, the Conquest. While the original Conquest of 1954 was a straight up and down gold three-hander, the broad faceted hour markers, this latest tribute piece actually takes its inspiration from a 1959 model, a 35mm number with a novel power reserve, displayed centrally, thanks to rotating discs. While unconventional, this style of power reserve was created by Longines and is unique to the brand.

For this special series of watches, Longines revives this power reserve and places it front and centre on the dial of this classically proportioned 38mm watch, powered by Longines on L896.5, with 72 hours of power reserve and a silicon balance-spring. The model is offered with champagne, anthracite or black dials and boasts a stylised mid-century dial design with ‘skyscraper’ style hour markers. The power reserve is realised with a central disc marked with the 73 hour running time, and a static marker at the top, providing a convenient and quick read out of the remaining power reserve. Functionally, a power reserve on an automatic watch with 72 hours in the tank isn’t too essential, but it’s a charming point of difference and certainly adds plenty of visual interest to the dial. Another unusual feature is the date display. Dates are often bemoaned on heritage reissue watches, with the modern convenience seen as marring the beauty and symmetry of the dial. In this instance, Longines has taken the ‘feature, not a bug’ approach to the aperture, giving it pride of place at the 12 o’clock position. And before the purists get up in arms, yes, this is how it was on the 1959 original too.

Dial aside, the case is well-sized and sophisticated in design, with a solid crown and box sapphire crystal. The only potential fly in the ointment for those wishing to mix up the stock alligator options will have to find something that can fit the 19mm lug width.