Longines Hydroconquest GMT 43 Stainless Steel

Next to the vintage-inspired Legend Diver collection, the Longines HydroConquest GMT 43 is a more utilitarian, robust, classic diver, with water-resistance up to 300 metres, a unidirectional, external rotating bezel, a screw-in crown and a screw-down caseback. Following the introduction of the practical, versatile and mostly visually appealing Longines HydroConquest GMT 43 last year in a 41mm case, Longines now launches a larger 43mm version available either with a green, black or blue dial, and with several strap/bracelet options.
Essentially, this new version of the Longines HydroConquest GMT 43 shares all the characteristics of the 41mm version we saw about a year ago. The main change is related to its diameter, which now sits at 43mm. On one hand, this new, additional, larger watch feels a bit unexpected at a time when smaller watches are coming back in vogue. On the other hand, it is just an additional choice that will find its fans – Longines explains to us that there was demand from certain markets to have a larger diameter. And interestingly, it slightly changes the proportions of the case, making it visually thinner and more balanced, as it is still 12.90mm thick.
The stainless-steel case is still water resistant to 300m thanks to its screw-in crown and screwed caseback. The unidirectional rotating bezel, which is here equipped with a 60-minute scale, is fitted with a ceramic insert and a luminous dot. As such, the HydroConquest GMT lives up to its double vocation of a traveller’s and diving watch. Three dial options are available for this new 43mm size. The sunray-brushed dial is offered either in green, black or blue – the brown dial is exclusive to the 41mm edition for now. The indexes and hands are generously coated with Super-LumiNova for easy reading in all conditions. The date is displayed through the window at 3 o’clock.
Inside the watch (not visible under the solid back) is the automatic calibre L844.5. Exclusive to Longines, It is a true GMT (also known as a flyer or traveller’s GMT) movement as the local hour hand can be individually adjusted through the crown in one-hour increments. It beats at 25,200 vibrations/hour and boasts 72 hours of power reserve. It is fitted with a silicon hairspring and other anti-magnetic components to make it as reliable and robust as possible.
The Longines HydroConquest GMT 43 watch comes on a robust H-link steel bracelet. Just like the 41mm version, it is fitted with a safety folding clasp with a quick-adjust system/wetsuit extension. There is also a rubber strap option for the black and blue dial variants.