We often associate luxury watches with mechanical calibers, but quartz movements are actually a major part of the high-end timepiece industry. Despite being both more accurate and more durable than their mechanical counterparts, quartz watches don’t often receive nearly the level of respect that they deserve. However, not all quartz movements are created equal, and when it comes to the Longines watches from the Conquest V.H.P. series, the quartz movements offered inside of them are some of the very best in the entire world.
Founded in 1832, Longines has a long and rich history of producing timepieces with mechanical calibers, but the iconic Swiss watch manufacturer has never been afraid of embracing new technologies if they could lead to superior performance. Like many watch companies, Longines has experimented with quartz timekeeping over the years, and the brand’s V.H.P. series of advanced quartz movements allow Longines Conquest V.H.P. watches to offer an astonishing level of timekeeping precision within just a handful of seconds per year.
Want to learn more about some of the most accurate wristwatches in the entire world? Read on for our complete buying guide for the Longines Conquest V.H.P. collection.
Longines Conquest V.H.P.
Longines Conquest V.H.P. Collection Key Details:
- Year of Introduction: 2017 (first Longines V.H.P. movement created in 1984)
- Case Size: 41mm, 42mm, 43mm, 44mm
- Materials: Stainless Steel (optional Black PVD finish)
- Functions: Time w/ Running Seconds, Date Display, Perpetual Calendar, Gear Position Detection (GPD) System, End-of-Life (E.O.L.) Indicator
- Optional Features/Configurations: 12-Hour Chronograph or GMT Functionality
- Dial: Black, Silver, Blue, Carbon Fiber w/ Luminous Hour Markers
- Luminous Material: Super-LumiNova
- Bezel: Fixed, Stainless Steel, Smooth Style
- Crystal: Sapphire (Flat w/ Anti-Reflective Coating on Underside)
- Movement: Longines V.H.P. (Quartz); Cal. L288 (Time + Date), Cal. L289 (Chronograph), Cal. L287 (GMT)
- Water Resistance: 5 Bar (50 Meters)
- Strap/Bracelet: Stainless Steel Bracelet w/ Folding Clasp
- Approx. Price: $1,000 – $1,700 (Retail); $900 – $1,500 (Pre-Owned)
Click here for our Ultimate Buying Guide on Longines watches.
History of Longines V.H.P. Watches
When it comes to Longines’ catalog, “V.H.P.” stands for “Very High Precision” and it serves as a reference to the hyper-accurate quartz movements that are used to power the models from the Longines Conquest V.H.P. collection. While a number of different sizes and configurations exist within the series, all of them feature Longines’ advanced V.H.P. movement technology, which offers users an incredible timekeeping accuracy of just +/- 5 seconds per year.
The very first Longines V.H.P. movement was created in 1984 (cal. 276.2), and it was a thermocompensated quartz movement. Over the years, the brand’s high-accuracy quartz technology has advanced and picked up additional features, including a built-in perpetual calendar in 1996. However, the Longines V.H.P. Perpetual Calendar watch was discontinued in 2006, and the V.H.P. series sat dormant until it was revived in 2017 with a new lineup of refined and highly-capable Longines Conquest V.H.P. sports watches.
Longines V.H.P. Timeline
- 1984 – First Longines V.H.P. movement created (thermocompensated quartz)
- 1996 – Longines Conquest V.H.P. Perpetual Calendar introduced to the public.
- 2006 – Conquest V.H.P. Perpetual Calendar watch discontinued.
- 2017 – Longines Conquest V.H.P. collection introduced with time+date and chronograph models; revives V.H.P. movement series.
- 2019 – Conquest V.H.P. GMT added to the collection; introduces ‘flash setting’ for adjusting time zone displays.
Advantages of Longines V.H.P. Movements
Quartz watches are often superior to their mechanical counterparts when it comes to flat-out performance. With fewer moving parts (and less delicate ones too), quartz watch movements are inherently more durable, and other than periodic battery changes, they don’t require service nearly as often as fully mechanical timepieces. Additionally, when it comes to accuracy, even the best mechanical movements can only guarantee timekeeping precision within a few seconds per day, while a high-end quartz movement can achieve those same results across an entire year.
That being said, the Longines V.H.P. series of calibers are some of the very best and most advanced analog quartz movements in the entire world. Not only do they offer a mind-blowing accuracy rating of just +/- 5 seconds per year, but they also feature a built-in perpetual calendar and an ‘intelligent’ crown, which allows users to adjust the time and date without disrupting the timekeeping of the watch. Additionally, the GMT version of the Conquest V.H.P. allows for ‘flash setting’ – a unique system that enables users to set the two different time zone displays on their watch by using an app on their smartphone, which pulses out a message via the camera flash that the watch receives and then adjusts itself accordingly.
On top of that, the entire Longines V.H.P. range also offers an exceptional battery life of approximately 5 years, with an end-of-life indicator that will alert you when the battery is close to being exhausted. To aid with durability, Longines V.H.P. movements also feature a unique Gear Position Detection (GPD) system, which enables the hands to automatically realign themselves after the watch has sustained a significant impact or exposure to magnetism.
Longines V.H.P. Movement Information
- Accuracy rating of +/- 5 seconds per year
- Built-in perpetual calendar
- Battery Life of approximately 5 years
- Gear Position Detection (GPD) System
- Intelligent Crown
- End-of-Life (E.O.L.) Indicator
- Time + Date, Chronograph, or GMT configurations available
- Manufactured in Switzerland
Longines Conquest V.H.P. Models & Options
At the present time, the Longines Conquest V.H.P. collection consists of three different configurations across four different case sizes. The standard 3-handed model is offered in 41mm and 43mm, the chronograph is available in either 42mm or 44mm, and the GMT version (the most recent addition to the lineup) is only offered with a 41mm case.
Regardless of size or configuration, all of the current-production Longines Conquest V.H.P. watches feature stainless steel cases paired with matching stainless steel bracelets. Additionally, dial colors are limited to black, silver, and blue, with each one including a subtle concentric circle pattern adorning its surface. With that in mind, there are some recently-discontinued Conquest V.H.P. models, which have black PVD cases and a few even have carbon fiber dials for a truly sports-forward aesthetic.
Regardless of which model you choose, all Longines Conquest V.H.P. watches benefit from the incredible abilities of their advanced quartz movements. Their astonishing accuracy mixed with their built-in perpetual calendar and extra-long battery life make them some of the best “set it and forget it” luxury watches available. Other than swapping out a new battery every 5 years and adjusting the time if you travel, you don’t need to do a single thing to a watch from the Longines Conquest V.H.P. collection – other than strap it on your wrist and begin your next adventure.
