The automatic movement will give you 5 or 6 years to enjoy the watch (supposed that nothing else happens with the movement or the automatic winding mechanism), after that you should have it serviced.

The quartz version could go for like 15 years (minimum) if you change the battery yourself.

 

As far as accuracy, I had a Hydroconquest (which I later gave to my brother-in-law) and it ran about +1 second per week. Very good accuracy I thought.


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Great choice. I bought the blue dialed Longines Conquest VHP, and I love it. Quartz are generally cheaper, thinner, and more accurate than automatic, which is why there was a “Quartz Crisis”. Mechanical watches are fussier and yes they need to be serviced more, but well made ones, like your could be passed down to future generations.

a word of caution. mechanical watches ”tick” more fluidly than Quartz, but it isn’t “sweep” imo. Check out Grand Seiko Spring Drive for a truly sweeping second hand, but 5hats another proposition altogether.

neither choice is bad/wrong. What’s more important to you?

 

Quartz is the easy option for everyday wear.

Superbly accurate, every day worn or not, and other than a battery change every couple of years is maintenance free.

Mechanical watches are nowhere near as accurate, will damage more easily, and will require servicing after xxx amount of years when they start to deviate, or display another malfunction.

Servicing is not cheap nowadays, I am looking at a £250 bill for a new mainspring on a eta powered watch 😬

So if you are not caught up in the “It must have soul and a sweeping hand” stuff, like a lot of us…get the Quartz.

 

My hydroconquest quartz needed a full
new movt 5 years in - £180 or so full service, battery just wouldn’t work anymore tried about 3/4 new ones .

Not only that but I wish I’d of bought the auto in the first place - just a little soulless if you will -
I do still love it but I’d of loved the auto more !


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Auto.

Longines makes very robust and accurate (for an automatic, non regulated) movements.

 

Thanks for all the input everyone. I appreciate it. It seems like there are varying opinions. I think it would be cool to have an automatic watch for the sake of having one, but I want something more practical. I was drawn to the watch primarily for how it looks and not necessarily the work of art aspect. I guess that means I'm leaning more towards the quartz.

Follow up question.... based on all the posts I've read it seems like I should try and negotiate the price. However, there is only one AD near where I live. What if they do not have the watch in store? Would negotiating still be an option if they have to order it or do I simply go the easy route and buy the watch directly from Longines on their website?

 

Follow up question.... based on all the posts I've read it seems like I should try and negotiate the price. However, there is only one AD near where I live. What if they do not have the watch in store? Would negotiating still be an option if they have to order it or do I simply go the easy route and buy the watch directly from Longines on their website?

Your call, but Jomashop (for example) have many different HC versions for an average of 30% off. If you are anti-grey market, then ignore. Note also you will get a Jomashop warranty, NOT a Longines warranty AFAIK. But if $$$ is an issue you could save a bit:

Longines HydroConquest Watches - On Sale Limited Availability - Jomashop

 

The automatic version is almost quartz for accuracy, plus you now have a 5-year warranty and feel comfortable for up to 6 years before sending the watch in for service.
However, if you've already tried it, get it on the Longines website.

 

The automatic version is almost quartz for accuracy, plus you now have a 5-year warranty and feel comfortable for up to 6 years before sending the watch in for service.
However, if you've already tried it, get it on the Longines website.

Nonsense. Just quoting this in case anyone without experience in watches reads this.

 

Does anyone have any opinions on the automatic Hydroconquest and its accuracy?

Last check:

A mechanical watch will never ever be close to the accuracy of a
high quality Quartz like the LHC. But the fascination is completely different.

 

I like quartz but only solar watches. I hate the idea of batteries & Swatch group has solar technology already with the Tissot T-Touch.

If Longines updated the Conquest VHP with solar buy that right away.

Yes - quartz will be way more accurate - a mechanical won't be close. But personally I'd forgo quartz if it's not solar.

 

I had the same dilemma 7 years ago, when the movement in the auto was ETA 2824-2 and had a power reserve of 38 hours.That meant the reserve won't last past weekend, and you would had to manually wind it on Mondays if you were not wearing it during the weekend, so I got the quartz.Now they have the modified ETA 2892-2,with 72 hours PR, much better movement, I would get the auto instead

 

Gains a second or two a day. The newer ceramic automatic is such great value in this price range.

 

Thanks for all the suggestions everyone. I ended up buying the Quartz. I took a chance and bought it from Jomashop, my first time buying from them. I was happy I got a brand new watch in working condition. Unfortunately, I'm not completely in love with the color as I had hoped, so I'll be looking to sell it.

 

Photos or it didn't happen.

Bill

 

I hate to hijack a thread, but I joined the forum to learn more about this watch, and your comments have triggered a question.

I’m new to “nice” watches, and am looking at getting a HC as my first. I want a 3 watch collection that I can pass to my children, and I’m looking at this as a daily wear. I was leaning toward the automatic with ceramic, but I’m curious as your opinions. Maybe I should be looking at quartz?

 

I hate to hijack a thread, but I joined the forum to learn more about this watch, and your comments have triggered a question.

I’m new to “nice” watches, and am looking at getting a HC as my first. I want a 3 watch collection that I can pass to my children, and I’m looking at this as a daily wear. I was leaning toward the automatic with ceramic, but I’m curious as your opinions. Maybe I should be looking at quartz?

I’ve got a buddy that has an automatic HC. He doesn’t shut up about it. When we visited he and his wife (also a Longines wearer) were trying to sell me on getting one.

Their automatic is accurate by automatic standards, but it’s not going to be as accurate as a quartz watch. No automatic even will be, but I’d you’re thinking about an automatic, this would be a good one to start with.

 

Huge fan of my HC 39. I wear it every day of the week when I get home from work and all weekend.

Even though the 39 has 19mm lugs, it is still a strap monster IMO.

Here it is before I bought 10 more straps.

@sandstorm747,

I was dead set on the black aluminum bezel HC 39 at Jomashop before I found a great deal at WatchMaxx on the black HC 39 ceramic bezel.