A color that bridges heritage and modernity: A deep dive into the new Longines Conquest Heritage Central Power Reserve.

Let's take a closer look at the light blue model of the "Conquest Heritage Central Power Reserve," a new release from Longines for 2026. Combining historical mechanisms with a modern color dial, this timepiece is a masterpiece that showcases Longines' pride as a master of reissues.

The Conquest Heritage Central Power Reserve revives the masterpiece from 1959 for the modern era.

The "Conquest" is Longines' flagship collection, born in 1954. It was also Longines' first watch to bear a collection name, and as a result, it has seen a wide variety of variations and steady evolution. For example, while the early models featured hand-wound movements, in 1955 a model equipped with the ratchet-type automatic winding movement Cal.19AS appeared. Furthermore, models equipped with the reverser-type Cal.290 series were released, and luxurious models using precious metals also appeared, making its expansion truly worthy of being called the brand's flagship collection. Among these various Conquest models, the "Conquest Heritage" collection is the one that connects its history to the present day.

　In 2024, the 70th anniversary of the Conquest, the "Conquest Heritage Central Power Reserve" was added to the lineup. While the Conquest Heritage is based on the early models equipped with the Cal. 19AS, this model draws inspiration from the 1959 model equipped with the Cal. 290 series and featuring two rotating discs. Reproducing the original's distinctive central power reserve, this model attracted attention from many watch enthusiasts as a demonstration of Longines' passion for reissue models. Then, in 2026, a light blue model was added to the lineup.

An innovative power reserve indicator created by two discs.

　What distinguishes the Conquest Heritage Central Power Reserve is the power reserve indicator in the center of the dial. Typical power reserve indicators use a pointer, such as a hand, to move along a fixed scale to indicate the remaining power of the mainspring. However, this model employs a significantly different display method.

　The power reserve indicator consists of two rotating discs. The inner disc has a baton-shaped pointer, while the outer disc has markings from "0" to "64". Not only the pointer, but the markings themselves rotate to display the remaining power of the mainspring.

　When the mainspring is fully unwound, the pointer points to 0. When the mainspring is wound using the crown or automatic winding rotor, the outer disc rotates first. Once the mainspring is fully wound, the inner and outer discs rotate together, and the pointer remains at 64. As the mainspring unwinds, the display decreases according to the remaining power reserve. There is little functional advantage to this display method. However, the fact that Longines faithfully reproduced the original mechanism, even to the point of developing a new mechanism, clearly demonstrates their respect for their past history.

　Of course, true to the company's emphasis on practicality, the basic specifications are also impeccable. The Cal.L896.5 automatic movement boasts a power reserve of approximately 72 hours, and it also employs a silicon balance spring for superior magnetic resistance. The water resistance is 5 atmospheres, which is sufficient for everyday use. While inheriting the original's features, it is given modern practicality suitable for daily use.

The light blue adds a touch of lightness to the intricate dial.

　The most noteworthy aspect of this new model is the dial. Previously, the Conquest Heritage Central Power Reserve has been available in color variations such as opaline ivory, anthracite, and black. All of these complement the classic design reminiscent of 1950s watches, and the opaline ivory dial, in particular, with its subdued, soft hue, emphasizes the retro feel of the model.

　The newly unveiled light blue dial, combined with the elegant opaline finish, gives the watch a more modern look. The substantial feel of the existing lineup is instantly transformed into a lighter, more sophisticated style simply by changing the dial color. It's not only a great accent piece for suits, but also versatile enough to suit casual occasions.

　The watch comes in two variations: a soft gray leather strap and a stainless steel bracelet. You can enjoy a relaxed style with the leather strap or a more modern look with the bracelet. The bracelet features a micro-adjustment mechanism, allowing you to easily adjust the wrist size without tools.

　The dial of the Conquest Heritage Central Power Reserve displays more information than a typical three-hand watch. In addition to the hour, minute, and second hands, there is a disc for the power reserve indicator in the center, and it incorporates numerous functional and decorative design elements, such as a date display surrounded by a trapezoidal window and double circles inside the minute markers. Despite this, it does not feel cluttered, thanks to the symmetrical layout and the use of color in the calendar disc that matches the dial, creating a sense of unity. Dials with a lot of information tend to give a heavy impression, but these design elements eliminate that impression and make the most of the light blue color.

　What's even more noteworthy is the relationship between the opaline finish and the three-dimensional feel of the dial. The dial of this model combines multiple discs, a curve towards the outer edge, multifaceted applied indices, and a three-dimensional date window, creating a sense of depth that changes depending on the viewing angle. The soft tones and opaline finish prevent it from being overly assertive, allowing each element, such as the distinctive power reserve indicator, applied indices, and hands, to stand out—a detail that shouldn't be overlooked.

A 38mm diameter case that keeps up with the trend towards smaller sizes.

　The case is made of stainless steel with the same 38mm diameter as existing models. Considering that most three-hand watches from a few years ago were around 40mm in diameter, this can be considered a slightly smaller size. Further emphasizing its compactness are the short lugs. The vertical length of the case is kept to 45.6mm, so even on slender wrists, the lugs are less likely to protrude from the wrist. Also, with dials that have many elements, legibility can sometimes be compromised when the diameter is reduced, but this is not a concern with a 38mm size. It can be said that this size strikes a good balance between wearability and legibility.

　The basic case design is common to the Conquest Heritage collection. The sapphire crystal, with its shape reminiscent of the original plastic crystal, and the classic round case are timeless designs that will stand the test of time. The finish, including the combination of polished and brushed surfaces and the sharply defined edges, is befitting of a current model.

　The screw-down case back is transparent, allowing you to admire the movement inside. You can enjoy the striped decoration on the rotor, the perlage on the bridges, and the beating balance wheel.

Connecting historical institutions to the present day through "color"

　The Conquest Heritage Central Power Reserve, unveiled in 2024, garnered significant attention for reviving the unique power reserve mechanism found in the 1959 model. The light blue dial, added as a new model in 2026, is, simply put, merely a color variation. However, it never feels boring, likely because the choice of color elevates the classic design, which draws inspiration from the original, into something modern.

　Longines is renowned as a master of reissues. The appeal of their heritage models lies in the fact that they don't simply replicate past watches, but rather, while respecting the original's essential elements, they add a modern interpretation to aspects such as case size, movement, materials, and color. In this way, they connect past designs to the present and weave a new history. This particular timepiece, which combines historical mechanisms with modern colors, is a prime example of this approach.